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Learn more about each Cognition measure in the NIH Toolbox brochure>>

Cognition Measures

NIH Toolbox® Cognition Batteries

The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, recommended for ages 7+, consists of tests of multiple constructs. It yields individual measure scores and the following summary scores: Cognitive Function Composite Score, Fluid Cognition Composite Score (includes DCCS, Flanker, Picture Sequence Memory, List Sorting, and Pattern Comparison measures), and Crystallized Cognition Composite Score (includes Picture Vocabulary and Reading Recognition measures).

The NIH Toolbox Early Childhood Cognition Battery is recommended for ages 3-6. It produces individual measure scores and an Early Childhood Composite Score.

Supplemental measures are not required for composite scores.

Some Cognition Measures can be administered remotely. Learn more>>

NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery – Ages 18+

Construct Measure Description Test Time
(minutes)
 Materials Required Preview
 Manual eLearning
Attention & Executive Functioning Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test Age 12+ The allocation of one’s limited capacities to deal with an abundance of environmental stimulation. time3 check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Episodic Memory Picture Sequence Memory Test Age 8+ Cognitive processes involved in the acquisition, storage and retrieval of new information. time7    Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Working Memory List Sorting Working Memory Test Age 7+ The ability to store information until the amount of information to be stored exceeds one’s capacity to hold that information. time7  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Language Picture Vocabulary Test Age 3+ Measures receptive vocabulary administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Respondents select the picture that most closely matches the meaning of the word.

time4

    Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Language Oral Reading Recognition Test Age 3+ Measures reading decoding skill and crystallized abilities. Participant is asked to read and pronounce letters and words as accurately as possible.

time3

  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Executive Function Dimensional Change Card Sort Test Age 12+ The capacity to plan, organize and monitor the executive of behaviors that are strategically directed in a goal-oriented manner.

time4

  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Processing Speed Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test Age 7+ Assesses the amount of information that can be processed within a certain unit of time. Items are simple so as to purely measure processing speed. time3   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training

 NIH Toolbox Cognition Supplemental Measures – Ages 18+

Construct Measure Description Test Time (minutes)
 Materials Required Preview
 Manual eLearning
Immediate Recall Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey) 8+ Measures immediate recall. Unrelated words presented via audio recording and participant recalls as many as possible.

time3

   n/a Read User Guide n/a
Processing Speed Oral Symbol Digit Test Measures speed of processing. Symbols on the screen are associated with a number, then presented with symbols without numbers.

time3

  check mark n/a Read User Guide n/a

time1 = time to complete in minutes

check mark= additional materials or equipment needed

The NIH Toolbox Cognition measures were developed by a multi-institutional team of measurement experts as part of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.

NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery – Ages 7-17

Construct Measure Description Test Time (minutes)
 Materials Required Preview
 Manual eLearning
Attention & Executive Function

Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test Ages 3-7; Ages 8-11; Age 12+

 The allocation of one’s limited capacities to deal with an abundance of environmental stimulation. time3  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide View Online Training
Episodic Memory

Picture Sequence Memory Test Age 7; Age 8+

 Cognitive processes involved in the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of new information. time7   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Working Memory List Sorting Working Memory Test Age 7+ The ability to store information until the amount of information to be stored exceeds one’s capacity to hold that information. time7  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Language Picture Vocabulary Test Age 3+ Measures receptive vocabulary administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Respondents select the picture that most closely matches the meaning of the word.

time4

   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Language Oral Reading Recognition Test Age 3+ Measures reading decoding skill and crystallized abilities. Participant is asked to read and pronounce letters and words as accurately as possible. time3  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Executive Function

Dimensional Change Card Sort Test Ages 3-7; 8-11; 12+

 The capacity to plan, organize, and monitor the execution of behaviors that are strategically directed in a goal-oriented manner.

time4

  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Processing Speed Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test 7+ Assesses the amount of information that can be processed within a certain unit of time. Items are simple so as to purely measure processing speed. time3   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training

NIH Toolbox Cognition Supplemental Measures – Ages 7-17

Construct Measure Description Test Time (minutes)
 Materials Required Preview
 Manual eLearning
Immediate Recall Auditory Verbal Learning (Rey) Age 8+ n/a time3  check mark n/a Read User Guide  n/a
Processing Speed Oral Symbol Digit Age 8+ n/a time3  check mark n/a Read User Guide  n/a

time1 = time to complete in minutes

check mark = additional materials or equipment needed

The NIH Toolbox Cognition measures were developed by a multi-institutional team of measurement experts as part of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.

NIH Toolbox Early Childhood Cognition Battery – Ages 3-6

Construct Measure Description Test Time (minutes)
 Materials Required Preview Manual eLearning
Attention & Executive Function Flanker Inhibitory Control & Attention Test Ages 3-7 The allocation of one’s limited capacities to deal with an abundance of environmental stimulation. time3  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Episodic Memory Picture Sequence Memory Test Ages 3-4; Ages 5-6 Cognitive processes involved in the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of new information. time7   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Language Picture Vocabulary Test Age 3+ Measure receptive vocabulary administered in a computer-adaptive test (CAT) format. Respondents select the picture that most closely matches the meaning of the word.

time4

   Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training
Executive Function & Attention  Dimensional Change Card Sort Age 3-7 The capacity to plan, organize, and monitor the execution of behaviors that are strategically directed in a goal-oriented manner.

time4

  check mark Watch Demo Video Read User Guide  View Online Training

 

NIH Toolbox Cognition Supplemental Measures – Ages 3-6   

Construct Measure Description Test Time (minutes)
 Materials Required Preview Manual eLearning
Language Oral Reading Recognition Test Age 3+

Measures reading decoding skill and crystallized abilities. Participant is asked to read and pronounce letters and words as accurately as possible.

  time4  check mark Watch Demo Video   View Online Training

 

time1  = time to complete in minutes

 check mark= additional materials or equipment needed

The NIH Toolbox Cognition measures were developed by a multi-institutional team of measurement experts as part of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research.