Which factor could impact the individual's performance on the MoCA?

The performance of an individual on the MoCA can indeed be significantly influenced by anxiety or stress during the assessment. Anxiety can affect cognitive functioning, making it more difficult for an individual to concentrate, recall information, or perform tasks that require mental agility. When a person feels anxious or stressed, their cognitive resources may be diverted toward managing those feelings instead of the tasks presented in the test. This can lead to lower scores, even if the individual's cognitive abilities are intact.

While factors such as familiarity with the test format, the time of day, and past cognitive assessments can play roles in assessment performance, they do not have the same immediate and profound effect on cognitive functioning as anxiety or stress can during the specific moment of taking the test. Therefore, recognizing and managing anxiety is crucial for ensuring that an individual can perform to the best of their abilities during the MoCA assessment.