Cognition

Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, such as thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving. These higher-level functions of the brain encompass language, imagination, perceptions, and the planning and execution of complex behaviors.

The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, recommended for ages 7+, consists of tests of multiple constructs. It yields individual test scores and the following summary scores: Total Cognition Composite, Fluid Composite (includes Dimensional Change Card Sort, Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention, Picture Sequence Memory (Form A), List Sorting Working Memory, and Pattern Comparison tests), and Crystallized Composite (includes Picture Vocabulary and Oral Reading Recognition tests).

The NIH Toolbox Early Childhood Cognition Battery is recommended for ages 4-6. It produces individual test scores and an Early Childhood Composite Score (includes Dimensional Change Card Sort, Flanker, Picture Sequence Memory (Form A), Picture Vocabulary, and Speeded Matching).

Other Cognition tests can be administered to understand the participant’s functioning, but are not required for the calculation of the composite scores.

Cognition

Dimensional Change Card Sort Test

Cognition: Executive Function

Ages: 4+
Test Time: 4 minutes

An assessment of cognitive flexibility and attention. The participant is asked to match a series of picture pairs to a target picture.

Face Name Associative Memory Exam Test

Cognition: Memory, Learning, Delayed, Visual, Immediate

Ages: 18+
Test Time: 7 minutes

An assessment of associative memory. Participants are asked to remember a set of twelve faces and the names they are paired with. After a 5-25 minute delay, participants are asked to recall which of the faces and names they saw earlier.

Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test

Cognition: Executive Function, Attention

Ages: 4+
Test Time: 3 minutes

An assessment of inhibitory control and attention. The participant is asked to focus on a particular stimulus while inhibiting attention to the stimuli flanking it.

List Sorting Working Memory Test

Cognition: Memory, Working

Ages: 5+
Test Time: 7 minutes

An assessment of working memory. The participant is asked to recall and sequence different stimuli that are presented visually and via audio.

Oral Reading Recognition Test

Cognition: Language, Expressive

Ages: 7+
Test Time: 4 minutes

An assessment of reading decoding skills and crystalized abilities. Participants are asked to read aloud letters and words, pronouncing them as accurately as possible.

Oral Symbol Digit Test

Cognition: Processing Speed

Ages: 5+
Test Time: 3 minutes

An assessment of processing speed. Per the key at the top of the page, participants are asked to orally call out the number that corresponds to each symbol in a grid.

Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test

Cognition: Processing Speed

Ages: 5+
Test Time: 4 minutes

An assessment of processing speed. Participants are asked to quickly determine whether two stimuli are the same or not the same.

Picture Sequence Memory Test

Cognition: Memory, Episodic

Ages: 3+
Test Time: 7 minutes

An assessment of episodic memory. Participants are shown a number of activities, and then asked to reproduce the sequence of pictures as it was presented to them.

Picture Vocabulary Test

Cognition: Language, Receptive

Ages: 3+
Test Time: 3 minutes

An assessment of receptive vocabulary administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Participants must choose which of four pictures best represents a word presented via audio.

Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

Cognition: Memory, Learning, Delayed, Immediate, Verbal

Ages: 5+
Test Time: 4 minutes

An assessment of immediate memory and verbal learning. Participants are given three trials to recall as many words as possible from a list of fifteen unrelated words. After a 5-25 minute delay, participants are asked to freely recall as many of the 15 words as they can.

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