The Great Cognitive Exam Debate: Can Anyone Ace It?
In a bold move, Jimmy Kimmel decided to put himself to the test, quite literally. He took on the cognitive exam that has been a topic of much discussion and controversy, especially in relation to President Donald Trump's cognitive abilities.
Kimmel, in his witty and entertaining manner, addressed the elephant in the room (no pun intended) by showcasing a post from Trump's Truth Social account, where he boasted about acing a cognitive exam that no other president or vice president had the courage to take. But here's where it gets controversial...
Kimmel, being the curious and brave soul he is, reached out to a medical professional who regularly administers these cognitive exams. He wanted to get a firsthand experience of what Trump was raving about. And this is the part most people miss: the exam isn't as complex as one might think.
In a 4-minute clip, Kimmel took us through his journey of completing the exam. It involved connecting dots, naming words starting with 'f', and identifying simple drawings of animals like a lion, rhino, and camel. Kimmel, with his quick wit, joked that his recent movie marathon of Zootopia gave him an unfair advantage in the animal section.
The medical professional declared Kimmel's performance as a 'perfect score'. Kimmel, in his typical self-deprecating humor, replied, "So I can be president?" This light-hearted moment highlights the ease with which one can pass this exam, designed to detect cognitive impairment.
Kimmel's segment is a continuation of his playful trolling of Trump's cognitive bragging. He has consistently argued that passing this exam is not a high bar for a president to clear. In fact, in October 2025, Kimmel defended Democratic representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett when Trump claimed they couldn't pass the test.
Kimmel invited Crockett to his show and, in a light-hearted quiz, asked her a few questions from the exam. When Crockett correctly identified a drawing of an elephant, Kimmel joked, "Wow, you're gonna crush this." This segment further emphasizes the simplicity of the exam and the ease with which anyone, even those Trump deemed "incapable", can pass it.
So, the question remains: Is this cognitive exam an accurate measure of cognitive abilities, or is it just a simple test that anyone can ace? What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
