With his or her eyes closed, the patient occludes one nostril. The clinician holds a stimulus vial under the open nostril, allowing the patient the opportunity to perceive and identify the odor. The other nostril is then occluded, and the test is repeated with a different stimulus scent. The process is repeated as above, in a way that all vials are presented to each nostril while not using the same vial twice in a row. A minimum of three scents is recommended. Document normal or abnormal responses.

Common stimulus scents include vanilla extract, coffee grounds, chocolate, cloves, and lemon juice.