cognitive test

{{Short description|Assessments of the cognitive capabilities of humans and other animals}}

Cognitive tests are assessments of the cognitive capabilities of humans and other animals. Tests administered to humans include various forms of IQ tests; those administered to animals include the mirror test (a test of visual self-awareness) and the T maze test (which tests learning ability). Such testing is used in psychology and psychometrics, as well as other fields studying human and animal intelligence.

Modern cognitive tests originated through the work of James McKeen Cattell who coined the term "mental tests". They followed Francis Galton's development of physical and physiological tests. For example, Galton measured strength of grip and height and weight. He established an "Anthropometric Laboratory" in the 1880s where patrons paid to have physical and physiological attributes measured. Galton's measurements had an enormous influence on psychology. Cattell continued the measurement approach with simple measurements of perception. Cattell's tests were eventually abandoned in favor of the battery test approach developed by Alfred Binet.

List of human tests

Human tests of cognitive ability measure a wide spectrum of mental abilities. When considering tests of cognitive ability, it is paramount to consider evidence for their reliability, validity, length, and mode of administration (e.g., some assessments require a trained administrator to be present with the respondent). It is also essential to understand which cognitive abilities are measured by each test and sub-test.{{Citation |last=Stanek |first=Kevin C. |title=Taxonomies and Compendia of Cognitive Ability and Personality Constructs and Measures Relevant to Industrial, Work and Organizational Psychology |date=2018 |work=The SAGE Handbook of Industrial, Work and Organizational Psychology: Personnel Psychology and Employee Performance |pages=366–407 |url=http://sk.sagepub.com/reference/the-sage-handbook-of-industrial-work-and-org-psychology-vol1/i3345.xml |access-date=2024-02-13 |place=1 Oliver's Yard, 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP |publisher=SAGE Publications Ltd |doi=10.4135/9781473914940.n14 |isbn=978-1-4462-0721-5 |last2=Ones |first2=Deniz S.}} There are also free, searchable [https://stanek.workpsy.ch/cognitive-ability-map/cognitive-ability-test-compendium/ websites] with compendia of tests and the constructs they measure. Below are a small sample of some of the best-known measures of cognitive abilities and brief descriptions of their content:

Inductive reasoning tests
Inductive reasoning aptitude: Also known as abstract reasoning tests and diagrammatic style tests, are utilized by examining a person's problem-solving skills. This test is used to "measure the ability to work flexibly with unfamiliar information to find solutions." These tests are often visualized through a set of patterns or sequences, with the user determining what does or does not belong.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shldirect.com/en/assessment-advice/example-questions/inductive-reasoning|title=Inductive Reasoning {{!}} Example Questions {{!}} Assessment Advice {{!}} SHL Direct|website=shldirect.com|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Intelligence quotient
Situational judgement test: A situational judgement test is used to examine how an individual responds to certain situations. Oftentimes these tests include a scenario with multiple responses, with the user selecting which response they feel is the most appropriate given the situation. This is used to assess how the user would respond to certain situations that may arise in the future.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shldirect.com/en/assessment-advice/example-questions/situational-judgement|title=Situational Judgement {{!}} Example Questions {{!}} Assessment Advice {{!}} SHL Direct|website=shldirect.com|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Working memory
Intelligence tests
Kohs block design test: "The Kohs Block Design Test is a non-verbal assessment of executive functioning, useful with the language and hearing impaired"{{Cite web|url=https://www.stoeltingco.com/kohs-block-design-test-3524.html|title=Kohs Block Design Test|website=stoeltingco.com|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Mental age
Miller Analogies Test: According to Pearson Assessments, the Miller Analogies Test is used to determine a students ability to think analytically. The test is 60 minutes long, and is used by schools to determine those who are able to think analytically, and those who are only "memorizing and repeating information"{{Cite web|url=https://www.pearsonassessments.com/graduate-admissions/mat/about.html|title=MAT (Miller Analogies Test) {{!}} About|website=pearsonassessments.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Otis–Lennon School Ability Test: The OLSAT is a multiple choice exam administered to students anywhere from Pre-K to 12th grade, used to identify which students are intellectually gifted. Students will need to be able to: "Follow directions, detect likenesses and differences, recall words and numbers, classify items, establish sequences, solve arithmetic problems, and complete analogies."{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis%E2%80%93Lennon_School_Ability_Test|title=Otis–Lennon School Ability Test|website=Wikipedia|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-05}}{{Circular reference|date=August 2024}} The test consists of a mixture between verbal and non-verbal sections, helping inform the schools of the students "verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative ability"{{Cite web|url=https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Academic-Learning/Comprehensive/Otis-Lennon-School-Ability-Test-%7C-Eighth-Edition/p/100000003.html|title=OLSAT-8 Otis-Lennon School Ability Test 8th Edition|website=pearsonassessments.com|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Raven's Progressive Matrices: The Raven's Progressive Matrices is a nonverbal test consisting of 60 multiple choice questions. This test is used to measure the individual's abstract reasoning, and is considered a nonverbal way to test an individual's "fluid intelligence."{{cite journal |last1=Bilker |first1=Warren B. |last2=Hansen |first2=John A. |last3=Brensinger |first3=Colleen M. |last4=Richard |first4=Jan |last5=Gur |first5=Raquel E. |author-link5=Raquel Gur |last6=Gur |first6=Ruben C. |date=17 May 2012 |title=Development of Abbreviated Nine-Item Forms of the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices Test |journal=Assessment |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=354–369 |doi=10.1177/1073191112446655 |pmc=4410094 |pmid=22605785}}
Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales: By measuring the memory, reasoning, knowledge, and processing power of the user, this test is able to determine "an individual's overall intelligence, cognitive ability, and detect any cognitive impairment or learning disabilities."{{Cite web|url=https://stanfordbinetiqtest.com/|title=Stanford-Binet Test & IQ Scale {{!}} Stanford Binet IQ Test|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-05}} This test measures five factors of cognitive ability, which are as follows: "fluid reasoning, knowledge, quantitative reasoning, visual-spatial processing and working memory."{{Cite web |title=What does the Stanford-Binet Test Measure {{!}} Stanford-Binet Test |url=https://www.proedinc.com/Downloads/14462%20SB-5_OSRS_SampleDescriptiveReport.pdf |access-date=2019-05-05 |website=stanfordbinettest.com}}
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is used to determine and assess the intelligence of the participant. This is one of the more common tests used to test an individual's intelligence quotient. Throughout its history, this test has been revised multiple times since its creation, starting with the WAIS in 1955, to the WAIS-R in 1981, to the WAIS-III in 1996, and most recently the WAIS-IV in 2008. This test helps assess the level of the individuals verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wechsler_Adult_Intelligence_Scale|title=Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) {{!}} IQ Test Prep|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children: The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) is for children within the age range of six to sixteen years old. While this test can be used to help determine a child's intelligence quotient, it is often used to determine a child's cognitive abilities. First introduced in 1949, the WSIC is now on its fifth edition (WISC-V), and was most recently updated in 2014. Similar to the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale), this test helps assess the level of the individuals verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed.{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wechsler_Intelligence_Scale_for_Children|title=Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) {{!}} IQ Test Prep|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}
Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence: The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is used to assess the cognitive ability of children ages two years and six months old to seven years and seven months old. The current version of the test is the fourth edition (WPPSI-IV). Children between the ages of two years and six months old, to three years and 11 months old, are testing on the following: "block design, information, object assembly, picture naming, and receptive vocabulary". Children between the ages of four years old, to seven years and 7 months old, are testing on the following: "coding, comprehension, matrix reasoning, picture completion, picture concepts, similarities, symbol search, vocabulary, and word reasoning."{{Cite web|url=https://iqtestprep.com/wppsi/|title=Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence {{!}} IQ Test Prep|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}
Wonderlic test: The Wonderlic test is a multiple choice test consisting of 50 questions within a 12-minute time frame. Throughout the test, the questions become more and more difficult. The test is used to determine not only the individuals intelligence quotient, but also the strengths and weaknesses of the individual. The test consists of questions ranging from "English, reading, math, and logic problems"{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-wonderlic-personnel-test.htm|title=What is the Wonderlic Personnel Test? (with pictures)|website=wiseGEEK|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-05}} The Wonderlic test is notoriously used by NFL teams to help gain a better understanding of college prospects during the NFL combine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/3/3/17076272/nfl-draft-prospect-wonderlic-score|title=Draftees sometimes bomb the Wonderlic. I took it and failed too.|last=Johnson|first=Richard|date=2018-03-03|website=SBNation.com|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Cognitive development tests
Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery: The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) is a test used to assess the "neuro-cognitive dysfunctions associated with neurologic disorders, phannacologic manipulations, and neuro-cognitive syndromes."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/pdfs/wichita-data-access/cantab-doc.pdf|title=Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)}} CANTAB is computer based program from Cambridge Cognition, and can test for "working memory, learning and executive function; visual, verbal and episodic memory; attention, information processing and reaction time; social and emotion recognition, decision making and response control."{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambridgecognition.com/cantab/|title=CANTAB Cognitive Research Software|website=cambridgecognition.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05}}
CAT4: The Cognitive Ability Test was developed by GL Education and is used to predict student success through the evaluation of verbal, non-verbal, mathematical, and spatial reasoning. It is being used by many international schools as part of their admissions process.{{Cite web|url=https://schoolentranceexam.com/cat4/|title=Cognitive Abilities Test|website=schoolentranceexam.com|date=20 August 2019 |language=en|access-date=2022-07-07}}
CDR computerized assessment system: The Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment system is used to help determine if a drug has "cognitive-impairing properties". It is also used to "ensure that unwanted interactions with alcohol and other medications do not occur, or, if they do, to put them in context."{{cite journal |last=Wesnes |first=Keith A. |date=September 2000 |title=The value of assessing cognitive function in drug development |journal=Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=183–202 |doi=10.31887/DCNS.2000.2.3/kwesnes |pmc=3181606 |pmid=22033754 }}
Cognitive bias (see also {{slink|Emotion in animals|Cognitive bias test}})
Cognitive pretesting: Cognitive pretests are used to evaluate the "comprehensibility of questions", usually given on a survey. This gives the surveyors a better understanding of how their questions are being perceived, and the "quality of the data" that is gained from the survey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gesis.org/en/services/study-planning/cognitive-pretests/|title=GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences|website=gesis.org|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Draw-a-Person test: The Draw-a-Person test can be used on children, adolescents, and adults. It is most commonly used as a test for children and adolescents to assess their cognitive and intellectual ability by scoring their ability to draw human figures.{{cite journal |last1=Richardson |first1=John T.E. |title=Knox's cube imitation test: A historical review and an experimental analysis |journal=Brain and Cognition |date=November 2005 |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=183–213 |doi=10.1016/j.bandc.2005.06.001 |pmid=16099086 |s2cid=42436722 }}
Knox Cubes: The Knox Cube Imitation Test (KCIT) is a nonverbal test used to assess intelligence.{{cite journal |last1=Richardson |first1=John T.E. |title=Knox's cube imitation test: A historical review and an experimental analysis |journal=Brain and Cognition |date=November 2005 |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=183–213 |doi=10.1016/j.bandc.2005.06.001 |pmid=16099086 |s2cid=42436722 }} The creator of the KCIT, Howard A. Knox, described the test as: "Four 1-inch [black] cubes, 4 inches apart, are fastened to a piece of thin boarding. The movements and tapping are done with a smaller cube. The operator moves the cube from left to right facing the subject, and after completing each movement, the latter is asked to do likewise. Line a is tried first, then b, and so on to e. Three trials are given if necessary on lines a, b, c, and d, and five trials if needed on line e. To obtain the correct perspective the subject should be two feet from the cubes. The movements of the operator should be slow and deliberate."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rasch.org/rmt/rmt133j.htm|title=Knox Cube Imitation Test|website=rasch.org|access-date=2019-05-05}}
Modern Language Aptitude Test
Multiple choice: The style of multiple choice examination was expanded upon in 1934 when IBM introduced a "test scoring machine" that electronically sensed the location of lead pencil marks on a scanning sheet. This further increased the efficiency of scoring multiple-choice items and created a large-scale educational testing method.{{cite journal |last1=Gierl |first1=Mark J. |last2=Bulut |first2=Okan |last3=Guo |first3=Qi |last4=Zhang |first4=Xinxin |title=Developing, Analyzing, and Using Distractors for Multiple-Choice Tests in Education: A Comprehensive Review |journal=Review of Educational Research |date=17 August 2017 |volume=87 |issue=6 |pages=1082–1116 |doi=10.3102/0034654317726529 |s2cid=149090154 }}
Pimsleur Language Aptitude Battery:
Grade levels: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Proficiency level: Beginner
Intended test use: placement, admission, fulfilling a requirement, aptitude
Skills tested: listening, grammar, vocabulary
Test length: 50–60 minutes
Test materials: reusable test booklet, consumable answer sheet, consumable performance chart and report to parents, test administrator manual, audio CD, scoring stencil for test administrator
Test format: multiple choice
Scoring method: number correct
Results reported: percentile, raw score
Administered by: trained testers, classroom teachers, school administrators
Administration time period: prior to foreign language study, at discretion of guidance counselor, school psychologist, or other administration{{Cite web|url=http://webapp.cal.org/FLAD/FLADDetails.aspx?id=466|title=Foreign Language Assessment Directory - Details|website=webapp.cal.org|access-date=2019-05-06}}
Porteus Maze test:
a supplement to the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test.
PMT performance seems to be a valid indicator of planning and behavioral disinhibition across socioeconomic status and culture, can be administered without the use of language, and is inexpensive. The PMT also have a relatively short administration time of 10–15 minutes.{{cite book |doi=10.22459/tlam.11.2007.09 |url=http://Press-files.anu.edu.au/Downloads/Press/P27481/PDF/Ch0910.PDF |title=Talking and Listening in the Age of Modernity: Essays on the history of sound |year=2007 |last1=Johnson |first1=Bruce |isbn=978-1-921313-47-9 |doi-access=free }}
Consensus based assessment
Knowledge organization: Features Ranganathan's PMEST formula: Personality, Matter, Energy, Space and Time, consisting of five fundamental categories- the arrangement of which is used to establish the facet order.{{cite journal |last1=Hjørland |first1=Birger |title=Facet analysis: The logical approach to knowledge organization |journal=Information Processing & Management |date=March 2013 |volume=49 |issue=2 |pages=545–557 |doi=10.1016/j.ipm.2012.10.001 |url=https://curis.ku.dk/portal/da/publications/facet-analysis(09001713-60db-41e7-b65b-0b29c45f4166).html }}
Knowledge hierarchies
Memory
Iconic memory
Long-term memory
Short-term memory
Semantic memory
Episodic memory
Visual short-term memory
Working memory
Self
Intelligent self-assessment
Rouge test
Mirror test
Metacognition
The Sally–Anne test (The ability to attribute false beliefs to others): This test has been used in psychological research to investigate theory of mind. It has been suggested that lacking a Theory of Mind may be the reasoning behind some of the communication difficulties accompanied by individuals with autism.{{Cite web|url=http://www.educateautism.com/infographics/sally-anne-test.html|title=Sally Anne Test - Educate Autism|website=educateautism.com|access-date=2019-05-06|archive-date=2020-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630144223/http://www.educateautism.com/infographics/sally-anne-test.html|url-status=dead}}
Thought
Mental chronometry
Neuropsychological tests: These are standardized test which are given in the same manner to all examinees and are scored in a similar fashion. The examinees scores on the tests are interpreted by comparing their score to that of healthy individuals of a similar demographic background and to standard levels of operation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.med.unc.edu/neurology/divisions/movement-disorders/npsycheval/|title=Neuropsychological Evaluation FAQ {{!}} Department of Neurology|website=med.unc.edu|access-date=2019-05-06}}

List of animal tests

Memory
Working memory
Delayed-non-matching to place
Trial-unique delayed non-matching to location
Short-term memory
Y-maze
Long-term memory
Morris water maze
Contextual fear conditioning
Attention
5-choice serial reaction time task
Executive control
Reversal learning
Motivation
Fixed-ratio/Progressive ratio task

cognitive test

List of human tests

List of animal tests

See also

References

Further reading