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Aim The Logical Memory ( LM) and the Verbal Paired Associative Learning ( VPAL) are subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale commonly used to characterize the memory deficit of amnestic mild cognitive impairment ( aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease ( AD). The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test ( FCSRT) was suggested to assess the memory impairment of AD spectrum patients by the International Working Group on AD. In the present study, we compared the properties of the tests and their accuracy in classifying aMCI and AD. Methods A group of aMCI patients ( n = 85) and AD patients ( n = 43) were included. The reliability and the validity of the three tests were analyzed. Results AD patients showed a significant pattern of worse impairment on all tests than aMCI. The FCSRT was able to classify more patients as having memory impairment in the aMCI group rather than the WMS subtests. The FCSRT proved to be good in discriminating the two groups in both lower and higher educational levels, whereas the LM was more useful in higher educated patients. Conclusions Although the instruments had good results, the FCSRT was more accurate in discriminating MCI from AD, and less influenced by the educational level. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 961-968. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]