Abstract. Malnutrition with poor nutrition status is a global problem Nutritional status in children can affect growth and development and is related to brain function, especially cognitive function (memory). Pondok Pesantren Al-Quran Babussalam, Bandung Regency, is one of the educational institutions that requires students to memorize the Al-Quran. This study aims to analyze the differences in the ability to memorize Al-Quran based on the z-score of nutritional status in elementary school students aged 6–12 years at the Al Quran Babussalam Islamic Boarding School. This type of quantitative research used analytical observational methods and cross sectional approach design during the period September–November 2020. The nutritional status assessment with height/age indicators using microtoise was then interpreted on the WHO growth curve. The nutritional status of all students is normal based on WHO criteria. The z-score values are grouped into groups of z-score values above zero (0), zero (0), and below zero (0), namely up to -2. Assessment of the ability to memorize Al-Quran using secondary data from the memorization of the Al-Quran letter from the homeroom teacher of each level. The number of memorized letters of the Al-Quran is averaged and grouped into good (≥ average) and bad (<average) based on age groups. Data analysis used the Mann-Whitney test with the result value p=0.029). In conclusion, there are differences in the ability to memorize Al-Quran based on the z-score of normal nutritional status in elementary school students aged 6–12 years at the Babussalam Al-Quran Islamic Boarding School, Bandung Regency.Keywords: Ability to memorize Al-Quran, nutritional statusAbstrak. Malnutrisi dengan status gizi kurang masih menjadi masalah global. Status gizi pada anak dapat memengaruhi tumbuh kembang dan terkait dengan fungsi otak terutama fungsi kognitif (memori). Pondok Pesantren Al-Quran Babussalam Kabupaten Bandung adalah salah satu institusi pendidikan yang mewajibkan para santri menghafal Al-Quran. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis perbedaan kemampuan menghafal Al-Quran berdasar atas nilai z-score status gizi pada santri sekolah dasar usia 6–12 tahun di Pondok Pesantren Al Quran Babussalam. Jenis penelitian kuantitatif dengan metode observasional analitik dan rancangan pendekatan cross sectional selama periode September–November 2020. Penialian status gizi dengan indikator tinggi badan/usia menggunakan microtoise kemudian diinterpretasi pada kurva pertumbuhan WHO. Status gizi semua santri adalah normal berdasar atas kriteria WHO. Nilai z-score dikelompokkan menjadi kelompok nilai z-score di atas nol (0), nol (0), dan di bawah nol (0), yaitu s.d. -2. Penilaian kemampuan menghafal Al-Quran menggunakan data sekunder hafalan surat Al-Quran dari wali kelas tiap-tiap tingkat. Jumlah hafalan surat Al-Quran direrata dan dikelompokkan menjadi baik (≥rerata) dan tidak baik (<rerata) berdasar atas kelompok usia. Analisis data menggunakan Uji Mann-Whitney dengan hasil nilai p=0,029. Simpulan, terdapat perbedaan kemampuan menghafal Al-Quran berdasar atas nilai z-score status gizi normal pada santri sekolah dasar usia 6−12 tahun di Pondok Pesantren Al-Quran Babussalam Kabupaten Bandung.Kata kunci: Kemampuan menghafal Al-Quran, status gizi