Cognitive Ability Test

Updated: June 7th, 2019

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was designed by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine in Montreal, Canada in the year 1996. This assessment method was authenticated and legalized to diagnose slight cognitive impairment in people.

Since then, the (MoCA) has been widely regarded. Professionals administer this test around the world. They consider it a very effective method to assess mild cognitive impairment.

The MoCA consists of a 30-point test. It is usually spread around 10 minutes.

If you are a clinician, you can get access to the instructions associated with the MoCA on the internet.

Though the original test is in English, it can be adjusted for people who speak other languages.

STEM Educational Toys to Improve Your Child’s CogAT score

What Happens in a MoCA?

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment diagnoses a number of different areas associated with cognitive impairment.

It assesses the person’s quick memory function which involves the patient learning five nouns in separate intervals and then the patient is asked to recall what he has learned (5 points for this).

It assesses a patient’s Visuospatial abilities and involves clock drawing and a cube which is in 3D.

3 points for drawing a clock correctly and 1 point for drawing the cube.

The MoCA also analyses a patient’s executive function which directly relates to our working memory.

If someone has trouble connecting his experiences from the past to the present and has trouble making decisions, planning, paying attention, managing time and or organizing his life then he is suffering from a loss in executive function which is a part of cognitive impairment.

The MoCA provides (TMT-B) tasks, Trail Making Tasks-B, (worth 1 point), Verbal fluency tasks (1 point) and a Verbal communication intelligence task with two items (2 points).

The patient’s motor skills, working memory, concentration and his attention to instructions given are also evaluated by using different attention tasks.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) include:

• Detecting things using tapping (1 point)
• Subtracting: For example, being asked to subtract 7 from 40 (3 points)
• Asking the test taker to place digits either forward or backward (1 point for each)

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment also evaluates a patient’s language fluency.

Various tests like three item confrontation in which you have to name three unfamiliar animals for example a rhinoceros, camel and a bison  (3 points).

Another test engages the test taker in speaking complexly arranged sentences (2 points are given for this).

Lastly, it assesses the patient’s ability to successfully determine the time and date she/he is in.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scores

If you are interested in MoCA results and scoring, there is a scale between 0 and 30.

People who score 26 or higher are generally considered to be functioning normally.

Research done be clinicians using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment have concluded that people who succeeded in the assessment usually scored over 27 in comparison to those who score 22.1 .

Which means they may be suffering from a milder form of cognitive imbalance.

Those who scored 16.2 may be likely to have Alzheimer’s.

Is the MoCA convenient?

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a relatively convenient procedure which allows medical professionals to accurately and quickly determine whether or not someone is suffering from a considerable imbalance of cognitive function.

The MoCA determines whether or not a person requires extensive treatment in case of Alzheimer’s disease.

Also, the MoCA determines certain symptoms and allows doctors to keep such a situation from worsening.

Doctors who use the MoCA to assess patients are allowed to evaluate whether a person has dementia as a result of mild cognitive impairment.

And the sole reason they can do this is because the MoCA involves evaluating a person’s executive function (as explained above).

Overview of the Pros and Cons of MoCA

Advantages of the MoCA

Some of the major advantages of the Montreal cognitive assessment include simplicity, easy for the patient, reliable outcome and the screening process involved to determine whether or not a person has Alzheimer’s disease.

Furthermore, the MoCA also measures the various hints of dementia present in a person. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) does not measure the components of dementia.

The MoCA also works well to determine symptoms for Parkinson’s disease. Unlike the MMSE test, the MoCA is free to use, involving no payments.

Disadvantages of the MoCA

There is one potential drawback. It’s important for clinicians to administer the Montreal cognitive assessment in memory clinic settings. In this way, they can ensure accurate results.

According to Assistant clinical professor at UCSD and the author of a study on the application of MoCA, in comparison to MMSE, Dr. Stephanie Lessig the MoCA is newer to the scene and originally just looked at patients with milder forms of Alzheimer’s.

The MoCA has since gone on to become useful for assessing additional diseases.

It seems to be a little better at looking in depth at some of the deficits that the MMSE might not pick up.

Heavy language component

For instance, the MMSE has a heavy language component, but that’s not an area that tends to be as much a deficit in the early stages of conditions like Parkinson’s or other forms of dementia, so that’s where the MoCA comes in at being a little more sensitive.

According to a study made by Stephanie Lessig, the MoCA successfully manages to point out subtle insufficiency in cognitive behavior with the patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

This is not the case with the MMSE. However, many prefer to use the MMSE.

Professionals regard MoCA as a very useful tool in recognizing certain abnormalities in cognitive behavior under normal circumstances. However, with patients who have severe dementia or cognitive impairment, studies have proven it doesn’t work as effectively.

The idea of being examined through the Montreal cognitive assessment — or any other assessment for that matter — can be stressful and may discourage slightly older people.

There are risks of test takers to panic and become confused before an assessment. These factors can skew results.

This anxiety may lead to poor performance on the MoCA. Therefore, it is important to take this test confidently in order to get accurate results.

This is no upside to not taking the test.

President Trump takes Montreal Cognitive Assessment

The MoCA is getting particular attention because President Donald Trump took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

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Updated: October 25th, 2019

If you have the opportunity, there are so many questions to ask the school before the CogAT test.

Realize the school may not be open about answering your questions. They may view this as giving you and your child an unfair advantage.

Therefore, the more you understand about the test in advance, the more streamlined and relevant your questions will become when faced with limited time in front of school personnel.

Learn all you can about the CogAT test before going to the test administrator or your child’s teacher.

Below is exactly what you need to know so you can determine if you should help your child prep in advance and how to go about it.

What to know before you talk to the school about the CogAT

Before you meet with the school, get a CogAT practice test workbook so you can familiarize yourself with the directions and types of questions.

If you do nothing else, at least go over the types of questions in each section.

This will also help you understand the basics before you talk to the school or the teacher about the CogAT. Even better is if you can have your child review the test in advance of your meeting.

Before your child takes the CogAT

Prior to your child taking the test, let him/her review the practice guides.

The CogAT is a timed test.

Ensure your child understands the directions for each section in advance. This way, he/she won’t be wasting time during the test to figure out what to do.

This is critical!

I was shocked when we looked at a practice test and my fifth grader didn’t understand what he was supposed to do in one part of the math section. And he tests in the 95%+ percentile for math!

Get a workbook for your child’s grade in advance.

Here are the questions to ask the school before the CogAT test. Write these down, and ask them during your meeting.

Familiarize yourself with the questions. You may not have the opportunity to ask everything. Also, depending in the answers, you will likely skip around. Be prepared for your meeting.

It can mean all the difference for your child. Understanding Your Child’s CogAT Scores

What questions to ask the school before the CogAT

Before you decide about whether to help your child prepare for the CogAT, it’s important to ask the school some questions.

Depending on your unique situation, some questions to ask include the following:

1. Why are they having students take the CogAT?

At my children’s former school in the Midwest, every student in kindergarten and fourth grade took the test.

While in kindergarten, my son tested in the 98 – 99^th percentile in all three sections of the test. We received a letter that he scored high enough for the gifted/talented program; however, there wasn’t a program at the school, so it didn’t matter.

However, when we moved to Colorado, those scores carried over so that when he was in second grade at his new school, he was accepted into their gifted program.

He didn’t need to retest to qualify.

It was different for the fourth graders in that Midwestern school. Their CogAT results mattered.

If students scored well on the fourth grade CogAT test, they would be placed in a “fast track” program for fifth grade, at the intermediate school.

A high enough score on the CogAT would have very positive ramifications for the students as they would be in a higher track surrounded with students who are on grade level and above.

You need to know what the CogAT scores will mean for your child.

2. What score does a child need to place into the program?

If there is a special program, what score will students need to get into it?

In order to get into the gifted program at my children’s current Colorado school, a student needs a score of 96% in one of the sections.

That’s not the case in all schools. Some schools take the top percentage of all students in the grade.

3. Does the student need that score in all three sections of the CogAT or just one?

At my children’s current school, once a child scores a 96% in one of the three sections, they need a 93% in one or both of the other sections to be placed into the gifted program in those sections.

You will want to know this.

If your child shows strengths in a particular section when you practice the CogAT, you may want to focus more on that section.

Knowing if a child places high in one of the three sections of the CogAT and can be in the program, even if they don’t place high enough in the other two sections is essential.

If students just need one very high score in one of the sections, it may well be smart to focus on just one area of the CogAT.

Choose the one where you believe your child shows the most knowledge/skills in and is most comfortable during the practice workbooks and practice tests.

It will be especially helpful to just focus on one area if time is an issue and if the test is just weeks away.

4. Can they retest?

Is there a limit to how many times they can test?

Be sure to include this in your list of questions to ask the school before the CogAT.

Does the school administer the test yearly? For all students? If your child takes the CogAT and scores very well, will he or she have to take it again?

If you child “makes it into the special program,” does he/she have to test in again yearly or is he/she automatically in it?

Will your child have a chance to retake certain parts of the CogAT if he scored lower than the other parts?

At my children’s current K – 6 school, administrators told us different things. One time, the gifted teacher told me students can take it again after a year but only up to three times in their time there.

However, after my older child took the test, the teacher told him he could try again in two years.

Unless your school district has a set plan in place, this is arbitrary. In our school, it seems the enrichment gifted teacher makes the rules.

It may also depend on how full their gifted classes are.

5. If my child’s CogAT score is high enough, what program will he/she be in?

In the case at my children’s first school, administrators used the CogAT to place students in the faster paced program for fifth grade.

At my kids’ current school, the students leave their regular class to meet with the gifted teacher by grade.

There are three sections to the CogAT test.

Depending on the number of sections the child scored high enough in (at least 96% in one section, and then 93% or higher in one or two sections) students leave class that number of times to meet with the gifted teacher.

In his enrichment class, my second grader learned to play chess, solved tangram puzzles, and played math games.

Schools use CogAT results differently

Another example of a school using the CogAT:

A friend who resides in Iowa said her elementary-aged children take the test every year.

If students score high enough, they are placed into the fast-track classroom, a few weeks ahead of the other classes in that grade.

A third example of how a school uses the CogAT:

A friend in Oregon said their elementary school sent a flyer home about their enrichment/gifted program.

In that school, a child’s parent or teacher recommends he/she takes the test.

If the child passes with a high enough score, (95% or higher) they leave school on Friday afternoon, once a month.

The students take a school bus to one of the district’s elementary schools. Elementary school students from the district meet for a two and a half hour enrichment session.

It is imperative you understand how your child will benefit if he/she scores high enough.

6. What CogAT form will your school use?

If you can get the answer to this question, this will make a big difference. However, if there is one question to skip, this is it.

This question will make it look like you know what you are talking about. You may not want to give that impression.

Feel free to skip this question and prep using CogAT Form 7.

Our current school isn’t well-funded and doesn’t have a set gifted curriculum or test process in place. Teachers “suggest” certain students take the CogAT. They use an outdated CogAT version, Form 6.

For sure, in third grade tests and higher, one of the math sections is different.

Before helping my child prep for the CogAT, I specifically asked the teacher which form they were using.

She said, “I cannot answer that question.” Again, despite trying to be subtle and act like I didn’t know much about the test, she wouldn’t answer.

They don’t want kids to have an advantage by prepping. This makes sense.

So be prepared to not get an answer.

But if you feel comfortable, try to work this question in when it’s appropriate. The answer is VERY important, especially for kindergarten, first and second grades.

Here’s one example of why it matters:

My second grader was testing in the CogAT Verbal and Quantitative sections.

I had him practice the regular second grade tests, CogAT Form 6 and CogAT Form 7. Little did I know the test he was taking was read aloud by the teacher and contained pictures instead of words for the Verbal section.

This was disappointing because the point in having him practice the sample tests was so that he would be familiar with the format of the test.

The tests he took were completely different from what we practiced.

Why are there different versions?

Based on the schools we were in, it seems the school districts with more money — aka the ones that are better funded — will have the most up-to-date version of the test.

So that would be Form 7 and not Form 6. Also, if they rely on the CogAT results for placing the students, they will likely be using Form 7.

At our (well-funded) school in the Midwest, all of the kindergarten and fourth grade students in the entire district took the CogAT. They mailed the test results to parents and guardians months later.

At our much smaller and not-as-well funded school in Colorado, only certain children took the test. Additionally, the gifted teacher graded the tests BY HAND. In this instance, they didn’t have funds to upgrade to the latest CogAT version.

If you can’t find out which version the school administers, access both CogAT Form 6 and CogAT Form 7 practice questions.

Review them in advance. Then, you can present them logically and straightforwardly in a zero stress environment when you work with your child.

Your child will have had experience working out all the different types of problems.

7. What grades will take the test? Does everyone take it or only certain students?

When we lived in the Midwest, all the students in the grades K and 4th took the tests.

At our school in Colorado, the only students who take the test are the students that the teacher recommends. A parent can also request their child take the test but this is not widely known or advertised.

8. What is the date (or dates) your child will take the CogAT?

This will enable you to know how much time you have to prepare and if it will be worth it.

It will also enable you to be sure your child has enough sleep leading up to the test and especially the night before the test. (You don’t want to stress your child out!)

It will also enable you to be sure your child has a healthy breakfast and lunch those days.

When my child took the CogAT in kindergarten, I had no idea he even took the test until we received the results in the mail.

At a minimum, it would have been good to have had made sure he had enough sleep, etc. in the days leading up to the test.

Talk to your child’s teacher about the CogAT test

If possible, find out from your child’s teacher any additional information about your child and the CogAT.

Does your child’s teacher recommend your child take the CogAT?

Does the teacher see certain qualities in your child that leads him/her to believe your child will excel in one or more parts of the CogAT?

If so, it might be worth your time to focus just on one section of the test.

This way, you will be focusing on only those three parts instead of all three sections and all nine parts.

After you have answers to these questions, you need to process and really think about your child.

• Is your child competitive?
• Will he/she enjoy a challenge?
• Will your child be willing to sit down and learn about the types of questions on the CogAT and take a few sample questions?
• Is there a gifted program or separate track or other way your child will benefit from a high score on the CogAT or is the test just a formality?
• How will you and/or your child will feel if he/she doesn’t get into the special program?

What to ask at school about the CogAT

Is this a program that will change your child’s entire track or experience?

This is significantly different than it if it will only be an enhancement to what they are already learning.

If your child will be pulled out of class for a special gifted session, what will your child miss?

How will that affect your child, and how will you feel about that?

Sections of the CogAT

The CogAT has three sections, (Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal) usually each administered on a different day.

Each section includes three parts.

Research some sample questions to know what each of these sections and parts entail.

If you find your child has a particular interest or strength, you may want to get a CogAT workbook and just study those questions.

CogAT Verbal section:

• Verbal classification
• Sentence completion
• Verbal analogies

CogAT Quantitative section:

• Number series
• Equation building
• Quantitative relations

CogAT Nonverbal section:

• Figure matrices
• Paper folding
• Figure classification

Questions to ask the school about the CogAT

Whether or not to prepare your child for the CogAT depends on many factors.

It’s important to learn as much as you can before your child takes the test.

In addition to workbooks, a valuable option is to purchase a month or longer access to a testing site. We used one to familiarize our kids with the CogAT and it was immensely helpful. You can print out the tests for multiple grades and access them whenever you want.

After you gather the information about CogAT test from ordering workbooks online or from an online practice test service, make an appointment to talk with someone at your child’s school.

After your meeting and based on what you learn, you can make an informed decision about how to help your child prep for the test.

It is so important to know the questions to ask the school before the CogAT so that you can make the best decisions for your child.

It can be very stressful for your child and for you, so get information first.

At a minimum, find out if this is a once-a-year test for all students. In this way, if you aren’t happy your child’s scores, you can help them prepare for the next time.

It will be helpful if school personnel will be willing to help interpret your child’s CogAT scores.

Updated: March 28th, 2019

Autism is a disorder of human development characterized by abnormalities in behavior, communication and social interaction.

Autism declares itself in various forms.

In addition, the manifestations of autism may be present in other mental disorders.

The severity of autism may vary from mild to severe.

People with mild autism symptoms may seem normal.

People with severe autism often have completely disrupted function of brain and a person cannot function normally.

In the past, autism was frequently confused with the manifestation of childhood schizophrenia or childhood psychosis.

The more information about the disease appeared, the more frequently it was diagnosed.

Many of the early confusions associated with causes of autism have been resolved.

Autism Symptoms

Scientists define three signs of autism:

1. Disorder of social interaction
2. Difficulties in communication with other people
3. Features of the behavior

Disorder of social interaction

A person, who has autism, is not able to build healthy relationships with other people and that is very important when you are a part of society.

The disorder may be so serious that could affect the relationships of mother and child at the initial period of life.

It is important to know that a child with this syndrome shows his or her affection for the mother and other people, who take care of him or her.

However, the way of expression of this affection and love is different from ways of other children.

If a child has little contact with other children and his or her parents, doctors aren’t always able to determine autism.

And autism treatments depend on that.

During the process of child development, the interaction with society becomes more and more difficult with time.

The features of behavior are often related to eye contact, facial expressions and body positions.

Usually, it is difficult for an autistic child to establish any relationships with their peers and often the child is isolated from society.

Also, the child does not express any interest in games or any activities in comparison with the peers.

Children with this disorder do not want to play any games.

In severe cases, such children may not notice the presence of other people.

Communication

Autistic people have usually broken communication skills, i.e. the ability to communicate with other people.

Sick people simply cannot understand what they are said; sick children may not understand the meaning of some children’s games such as hide and seek, for example.

Autistic people frequently do not take part in dialogues.

Typically, the expression of another person is perceived as something incomprehensible.

Speech of a sick person is monotone and lack of emotions.

Often people with autism repeat phrases and sentences told by others.

For example, you may say “look at the plane!”, and a child or an adult repeats: “plane”.

He/she does not realize the meaning of the word.

Such repetition of words and phrases is called echolalia.

While many people believe that it is a sign of the intellect (songs repetition etc.), autistic people often do not understand the content of what they say.

View on Autism

Swiss psychiatrist Paul Eugen Bleuler first applied the term “autism” in one of the British medical journals in 1912.

At that time he meant under this notion difficulties that emerge in patients with schizophrenia when communicating with others.

Autism was defined in the form we know it later in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner, who studied the behavior of eleven children with similar symptoms.

These children do not seek to learn new things, meet somebody and share their emotions.

Often they have problems in communication and social adaptation, nothing interests them.

A child, who has the symptoms similar to the listed above may have autism.

These are the signs of autism.

This illness has several names including Asperger syndrome and Rett syndrome.

But each of these disorders is classified as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and differs only by several symptoms.

Autism that develops in a child’s organism gradually starts to emerge at the age of a year and a half.

It is fully formed to three years.

Autism symptoms checklist is rather various and it manifests itself differently in diverse people.

This condition affects gestures, movements, speech and reactions.

Not all autistic children have any physical manifestations of it.

Autism is most often manifested in changes of behavior, such as following.

Autism Behavior Changes

• Refusal of tactile contact with parents
• Absence of speech to three years
• A child prefers to be alone than with someone else
• A child refuses to contact with the outside world or is not interested in it
• A child either doesn’t have skills of nonverbal communication or these skills are poorly developed.
• The child does not want to look into your eyes
• Baby’s gestures are strange and rather nervous than expressing something
• The child speaks, but steadily, as if he/she repeats studied text.
• Many autistic children repeat the words of others in the manner of echo
• Unusual sensory responses (for voice, smell, taste, touch)
• The child shows the same behavior and way of communication with others; prefers to repeat one chosen action
• Autistic children do not play with other kids and always prefer to arrange their toys in the same manner, always depending on the color
• They are not afraid of surrounding, but do not want to change anything in their life.
• They are so engrossed in their daily occupations, that changes seem to them as something unnatural
• Autism manifests also in sleep disorders.

Autism may have mild and acute form.

Many children show autism like symptoms after they start going to school, but that’s normal.

The kid becomes accustomed to learning, new people and school atmosphere.

It is hard for any parent to understand the child and work with them.

Children with autism require even more care and attention, so raising an autistic child you need to follow some recommendations.

You can get such recommendations from a doctor and find peculiar book related to the theme of autism.

This will help you to change your life and the life of your child.

Autism as a Genetic Disease 

As some neurological disorders can be associated with autism, the issue of whether autism is a genetic disease is very complicated.

It’s safe to say that such disorders as the syndrome of friable X-chromosome and multiple sclerosis are hereditary diseases.

The most recent researches have revealed that one of the causes of autism may be considered dysfunction of the site on chromosome 13.

In some families, autism is passed from generation to generation.

In other families, you cannot identify cases of autism in the past generations; however, it may be present in the child or his/her brothers and sisters.

The results of this study confirm that a gene of autism will be found soon.

However, many children, who suffer from autism, do not have close relatives with this illness.

The cause of autism may be the environment, such as the impact of harmful substances etc.

Diagnosis of Autism Symptoms

The main manifestations of autism are abnormal development or underdevelopment of a child, the inability of child to contact with the outside world and people, pathological forms of behavior, which are not typical for other children.

By three years, if a child is sick with autism, it would be clearly expressed.

In many cases, abnormalities in development might be not observed at first year of child’s life, but autism is expressed to three years, as it is told above.

If the speech is not developing or a child is not able to communicate with others by three years, we may suspect autism.

Diagnosing of this disease starts with a careful study of medical report and a medical examination of a patient.

The examination of a patient with autism should be made by a specialist, who not only knows autism, but also knows other similar disorders that can imitate the autism symptoms.

It is required to make neurological and psychological tests to determine the correct diagnosis.

For example, weakness and reduced reflexes on one side of the body may give the doctor quite exhaustive answer that a person likely has structural brain pathology and MRI is required.

The medical report of patient and thorough examination will help a doctor pinpoint the diagnosis of the disease and identify other possible disorders and diseases that largely cause the presence of autism in a patient.

A doctor should test ear of a child, who does not speak.

or normal development of speech process, a person needs to hear sounds of low and high frequencies.

Even if a reflex to turn the head to the side from where the sound comes is preserved (e.g. to hands clapping), speech is still may be undeveloped.

If the results of neurological examination are normal, it is usually not required to conduct computerized tomography and MRI.

However, if a doctor finds brain pathology during the neurological examination, it is necessary to conduct magnetic-resonance imaging.

Examination of an autistic person by a speech therapy is also very useful, because a doctor may define the speech disorders and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Causes of Autism

Autism appeared in the scientific literature as a mental disorder a few decades ago and for many years scientists study and identify the causes of this disease.

Scientists have not found still what causes autism.

However, autism is certainly a disorder of biological nature.

In support of the biological theory of autism, some experts have the opinion that various neurological disorders may accompany autism.

In this case, autism is a symptom of neurological malfunctions.

For example, such disorders may include multiple sclerosis (a genetic disorder), the syndrome of friable X-chromosome, Rett syndrome and some congenial defects associated with the metabolic processes in human body.

Autism may be the result of several neurological malfunctions that influence brain function and human development in general.

Genuine autism is rare.

Usually it is accompanied by other disorders or is a result of these disorders.

During the years of autism treatments scientists discovered that there is a link between epilepsy and autism.

This connection is expressed in two ways: first, many patients (20-30%) suffer from seizures.

Secondly, these patients with seizures may get autism as a result.

This sickness is often confused with Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

Acquired epileptic aphasia is another name for the syndrome.

Some children that have this syndrome may occasionally lose speech, especially receptive communication skills (ability to understand), often autism appears at the same time.

These children commonly have a peculiar result of EEG (recording of electrical brain signals), which corresponds to their behavior.

Loss of speech and other malfunctions, which occur because of this disease, occur at the age of 4, and therefore the described above rare syndrome is not difficult to distinguish from autism, which may be present from birth.

However, in recent years, scientist noticed that some children, who do not have seizures, have Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

The importance of the above information is that the Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) occurs spontaneously and in some cases it can be treated with corticosteroids.

The connection of this syndrome and autism leads to situations when people affected by autism should undergo electroencephalogram.

Pathological EEG can be identified when a person is asleep (it takes 12 hours).

Many children and adults perform abnormal EEG, but rarely anyone has the Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

We should underline that large doses of corticosteroids may induce side effects such as gain in weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, disorder of human growth, irritability, weakened immune system, ulcers in the mouth etc.

But the main amount of those side effects is reversible.

Other treatment methods may be also used.

They range from common anti-convulsants and to operation.

It is difficult to assess the effectiveness of the treatment of Landau-Kleffner syndrome because the symptoms of syndrome may spontaneously disappear.

As for autism symptoms, many children and adults may have something as a ritual.

Even such an action as having a bath may be very difficult for an autistic person: they demand a definite amount of water in the bath, exact water temperature, the same soap and towel, which were used by them earlier.

Treating Autism

People often wrongly interpret autism. Allegations that autism can be fully cured you may hear in many families.

There are different models of autism treatment, which concern educational system in this area (to enlighten people) and the treatment itself.

Yet the most effective approach to treatment of this disorder is in education or human awareness about the disease.

There is a tendency to place children with autism in small classrooms, so that they are free from auditory and visual stimulation.

Training information is given to a child in small portions.

People with autism must be taught how to communicate and interact with other people.

It is a hard task and it includes the entire family, as well as professionals.

Parents of an autistic child should constantly receive information about new treatment methods and maintain openness.

Read about fidget tools here.

Some treatment ways are suitable for one patient, but do not fit others.

The effectiveness of many treatment methods has to be scientifically proven yet.

Treatment decisions are always made on an individual basis after careful evaluation of signs of autism.

These methods are based on the fact this treatment is appropriate for both the child and his/her family.

It is important to bear in mind, despite some recent denials, that autism is a condition, which requires constant treatment.

The treatment program may change with the development of an individual.

Families should beware of treatment programs that give false hope for healing.

Some drugs have been tried for the treatment of autism.

But there are no such drugs, which fully proved their effectiveness in autism treatment.

In the past, television showed a story about the hormone secretion, which supposedly helps in the treatment of autism.

Children, who constantly complained of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, presented evident improvement after they were injected this hormone during the research.

Parents of these children and doctors believed that the hormone promoted the treatment of autism.

Since then, many doctors began to prescribe this hormone as a treatment for autism.

We should note that this drug is very expensive.

However, published studies refute the fact that the hormone promotes the treatment of autism.

This example highlights the importance of good clinical researches with usage of autism symptoms checklist.

Treatment of autism involves a special diet that restricts reception of foods with high volume of gluten and casein and the use of drugs and sedatives.

In addition, there are a lot of techniques and developments nowadays aimed at the treatment or correction of autism.

For example, the therapy of communication helps develop a child’s independence and skills for social adaptation.

It also promotes the development of communication skills through sign language and other types of nonverbal communication.

Audio-vocal training and audio training, as well as the conflict therapy are aimed at adapting an autistic child.

The main method of conflict therapy is a forcible holding.

This method, proposed by M. Welch in 1983, is also called forcible support.

It performs forcible physical connection of a mother and child, because the absence of exactly this connection is considered to be the main disorder during autism.

Cognitive Testing ADHD Offers Level of Reliability

Cognitive Testing ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – receives much discussion and scrutiny.

The use of medication to treat ADHD in children probably receives the most attention in the realm of this sensitive subject.

Perhaps the second aspect of the condition, ranked in controversy order, is the diagnosis of ADHD.

Because there is no simple blood test or imaging proof, cognitive testing ADHD may take a variety of forms, and often several are given to arrive at a diagnosis.

Here’s what you need to know about cognitive testing ADHD.

Start with a physical exam

Just about all doctors will start their diagnosis with a physical examination of the child.

This is primarily to rule out other conditions that could be contributing to the child’s undesired behavior.

The exam may focus on hearing and seeing abilities to eliminate shortcomings in these senses.

The doctor may also question sleeping patterns and test for allergies.

Review the child’s behavior history

Once the probability of a physical disorder leading to the behavior issues has been eliminated, the second step in cognitive testing for ADHD is documentation.

The doctor may record a history of the child’s behavior.

The doctor will want the parents to note when the child exhibited ADHD behavior and ask for family circumstances that may have provoked or contributed to the actions.

Standards for a diagnosis

Doctor’s follow guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Association for making a diagnosis of ADHD.

There is an evaluation of symptoms, reviewing where and how often they occur in the absence of any other learning, emotional, or mental disorders.

Medical practitioners contrast these symptoms with what is considered normal for a child of the same age.

There are six symptoms that must have been observed over at least a six-month period for the diagnosis to be made.

Included in the list of symptoms for this cognitive testing ADHD are the inability to pay focused or long-lasting attention, the appearance of not listening even when being addressed directly, and the inability to complete assigned tasks.

To eliminate a setting bias, these symptoms must be observed in more than one environment.

Supplemental additional tests

There are other tests that some medical professionals choose to include when doing cognitive testing ADHD.

Some doctors may choose to perform a Connors Continuous Performance Test, which looks at both the ability to focus and the likelihood of impulsive.

Other doctors may request an IQ test for the child.

This is often given in the form of the WAIS-II, which measures the child’s cognitive abilities through a variety of information handled by the brain.

Summing the WAIS-II scores gives a measure of intelligence potential and determines the presence of a learning disability.

Additional tip

One of the best things to do early on is to document any of the situations you want to recall later.

Be sure to include what happened, along with the date and details as to the setting as well as the event that occurred.

So often we think we will remember the date or the context of a situation but it is far better to keep a log using the same notebook and keeping it in the same place for easy accessibility.

When you go to your appointments, you will be able to easily remember dates and occurrences, and it will help the professionals look for patterns of behavior, etc.

Be especially aware for changes of routines and while traveling with kids.

The reassurance is when the cognitive testing ADHD has been completed, there is a level of reliability in the diagnosis.

Until more sophisticated testing is available, parents of children can take heart that the tests that have been administered live up to the resources, while taking into consider the limits, of what today’s ADHD medical professionals, mental health professionals, and scientists have to offer.

Updated: October 27th, 2019

CogAT Sample Questions – When it comes to timed tests like the CogAT, it’s always a good idea for young students to get familiar with the type of questions they will likely face.

CogAT prep young students can minimize the intimidation factor, and also alleviate any concerns as to what kinds of answers are correct.

Children who are in kindergarten or first grade may already be familiar with school tests.

For the most part, the quizzes and tests they take in class are designed to see what the child has learned. Because of this, a child can review for the test by reading their books and trying to memorize facts or math techniques.

But the CogAT is a different kind of test.

It doesn’t really try to discover how much kids have already learned. Instead, it tries to measure a child’s ability to reason.

Because of this distinction, many experts discourage extensive reviews for very young children (kindergarten and first grade level). It shouldn’t be about the child’s ability to memorize answers to the CogAT sample questions.

Nonetheless, there is some value for young children to be exposed to the kind of test they will likely encounter in the CogAT.

Helping young students prepare for CogAT

For one, it will let them see the types of questions on the test. While they should be encouraged to read the directions on the test, they will already be familiar with the instructions.

It can also lessen their anxiety about the test.

By reading CogAT sample questions and knowing what type of answers are expected, a child can face the test with more confidence.

For kindergartners and first graders, the CogAT questions are read to them by the teacher, and the entire process is explained to them in a way that they will understand.

As a parent, you may want to read the questions to your child as well.

Should I Let My Child Take the Cogat Test
Benefits of Taking the CogAT Practice Test

Choosing a CogAT sample test Questions for Kindergartners and First Graders

If you just Google for CogAT prep courses, you may encounter online preparatory courses and even CogAT practice books on Amazon.

For example, the most basic rule is that you need an age-appropriate CogAT sample test, because the CogAT test questions for older children are much more difficult and complicated.

There are many choices for CogAT prep books.

So take the time to consider workbooks, flashcards and anything you can do to review the CogAT sample test.

Importance of CogAT Test Sample Materials

For some people, trying to help kindergartners and first graders do well in the CogAT may smack of overkill. This may be true, in a way.

Some parents just really want their kids to excel, and preparing for the CogAT may seem excessive.

But at the same time, the CogAT may determine your child’s academic curriculum.

Many schools these days use tests like CogAT to find out which kids can enter a Gifted and Talented (GT) program. Many intelligent kids will benefits greatly from these types of educational instruction, but there may only be a few slots.

What’s more, your child may be overlooked as unsuitable for these programs because of low CogAT scores when your child is highly intelligent and creative.

Learn more about different ways schools use the CogAT test results.

So how does a child truly prepare for the CogAT?

There are several ways to prepare. But essentially, children should be familiar with the process so that their confusion or anxiety will not affect their CogAT scores.

That’s how the CogAT test sample questions work. They expose the child to the type of questions they will encounter, so that the child can be familiar as to the kind of answer expected.

These CogAT test sample questions are not meant to be memorized.

The preparation can be fun for children, but it should also not interfere with the child’s other normal activities, such as sports or doing their homework.

By getting a good score on the CogAT, your gifted child may be able to take advantage of more creative and more in-depth teaching methods that are more fun and more effective for exceptional children.

CogAT Sample Test Questions

Here are some appropriate CogAT test sample questions for your young child to practice on. Just remember to read the questions for the child, just as they would in the real CogAT.

Oral vocabulary

These are the questions which emphasize a word, and then the child needs to pick the picture or pictures which show the meaning of the word.

For example, a question may be: Which of these pictures are identical?

If your child knows the meaning of the word “identical” then they would pick the two pictures which look exactly the same among the answer options.

Another possible question is: Which picture shows a peel?

The right answer may be the one with the banana peeled halfway.

Finally, there’s the question: Which one is upside down?

And the right answer is a turtle that’s lying upside down on its shell.

The right answers here define a key word in the questions.

As you can see, it may not be possible to memorize every word that a gifted first grader may be expected to recognize.

But by encountering questions like these in their preparations, the child may have a better idea of how to answer the question.

Verbal reasoning

Some questions may be about how words are related to each other.

For example, here is a sample item.

Mrs. Smith will walk to the park.

It is raining.

Among the pictures shown, what should Mrs. Smith bring with her to the park?

The right answer may be the umbrella if it’s shown among the choices.

To answer the question correctly, the child should know what’s needed when someone is about to walk in the rain.

While the other picture options (like a bag) in real life may be helpful and can also be used to cover the head when it rains, the child should know that the umbrella here is the most appropriate answer.

Quantitative concepts

Here it’s mainly about math.

For example, your child may be shown a picture of three stars.

He may be asked to count how many stars there are in that picture.

Then he is asked to look at other pictures of stars and asked to find the picture that has 4 more stars than the first picture.

To answer this correctly, the child should realize that “4 more stars” means adding 4 to 3 to arrive at 7 stars.

It may also be about knowing which number is greater than another.

For example, a child may be shown a number such as 156.

Then other numbers will be introduced, and the child will be asked to pick the number which is greater than the first number.

Figure classification

In this part of the test, a child is asked to look at a group of figures.

The first figure may be a bunch of blue triangles of different sizes

The answer options may include another blue triangle, along with a green triangle and a blue rectangle.

With this type of CogAT sample test question, your child may understand that a group of figures may be similar in two ways instead of just one.

That’s why the correct answer is the blue triangle, instead of just another triangle or another figure that’s blue.

Here’s another example:

A square, rectangle, and a triangle are in the same picture, and each one of the figures has a shaded corner.

The most appropriate answer is the one which also has a shaded corner and not the figure with shaded area in the middle.

Even for first graders, some of the questions may be a bit complicated.

You should make your child understand that no one (including you or the teachers) expect them to get each and every item correctly.

Matrices

This may seem like a rather complicated term, but it just denotes a big square divided into 4 boxes.

You then explain to your child that there are pictures in three of the squares, while another square is empty. Point out the empty box to your child.

You can then say something like:

Look at the first little square at the top row.

It has a drawing of a rectangle.

Now see the next drawing in the next square at the top row?

It also has a rectangle that is exactly alike as the drawing in the first square.

This is your clue.

The two pictures in the top row should have the same shape.

Now on the bottom row there is a picture of a shaded circle.

To complete this puzzle, you need to find the answer that looks like the first picture of the shaded circle.

Look at the drawings in the answer choices, and pick the right picture that also has the shaded circle.”

Tips on Prepping Your Young Child For the CogAT

At this age, it’s not always a good idea to prep a child too extensively.

This is especially true if the preparation prevents them from doing their homework or in participating in various extra-curricular activities.

But when you do take some time for prepping for the CogAT, here are a few worthwhile tips.

Ask the teachers about how long the test takes

You then make sure that each review session does not take longer than the actual CogAT. It should just be the same, or shorter.

At this age, many children can really find it difficult to focus on a single activity for too long. They get bored easily. This same principle applies to your review session too.

Try to make it fun

One way of encouraging children to review for the CogAT is to make a game out of it.

Many games, including video games, are all about problem solving, so you can do the same for your review sessions.

Be easy-going

Children are very good at assessing the mood of their parents. Remember, you’re reading the test items to your kids.

You need to make your tone of voice friendly and cheerful, so that your child does not tense up.

Admittedly, some parents may feel a bit of frustration when their children fail to answer questions correctly. But you must be calm and patient.

The CogAT measures reasoning ability.

It’s just a fact of life that some kids are better at this than others. The point of the review is not to improve your child’s reasoning ability.

Remember, the point is to familiarize the child to what going to happen in the CogAT, so that they are not intimidated by the questions.

Final notes on CogAT Sample Questions

The CogAT is an effective way to measure how your child recognizes, discovers, and uses relationships between words, numbers, and figures.

It also tests for how flexible they are in their reasoning.

These abilities are not inborn. These skills can actually be developed, both in school and in your home.

As a parent, you can help with that, and prepping for the CogAT is a good start.

The CogAT is also a very good way to predict the academic performance of your child.

But again, reasoning ability is not the only factor that determines grades.

Their work habits can really help, and they should want to get good grades. As a parent, you can instill effective work habits that can help them all through college. You should also encourage the desire to do well.

Remember also, you don’t need a school test to be the motivation to work with your child. Involve them with questions you encounter in everyday life. You can do this while driving or preparing meals together.

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CogAT Practice Test: All You Need to Know About It

Before we start to wonder about CogAT practice test, it is of extreme significance that we know what CogAT test is.

CogAT or Cognitive Abilities Test is an assessment test that challenges a student’s abilities in many areas.

After the completion of study life that spans over 12 years, a student may appear for this cognitive abilities test.

What is CogAT Practice Test?

As it requires 12 years of thorough learning from the student’s part, it is also known as a K-12 test. Cognitive abilities normally comprise skills at verbal ability, quantitative aptitude and problem solving.

So a CogAT practice test can only refer to a preliminary or mock test that may help a student in doing well at Cogat.

But, people should remember that CogAT is a test of one’s reasoning ability and not depth of knowledge.

Many a times, it happens that a very good student, who got highest marks in their respective colleges, could not score very well at Cogat.

The reason behind this could be that knowledge of Maths, Physics or Chemistry would not help in this particular type of test.

CogAT has three sections, namely, verbal, non-verbal and quantitative sections.

Those different sections are discussed below.

Verbal ability test

Verbal ability is always a very important part of any cognitive test.

So, to attain a good score at Cogat, one needs to make verbal ability a priority in their cogat practice test.

This section normally checks the vocabulary and grammar sense of the student.

Ability to understand the meaning of certain words, comprehending the gist of a long passage, and good grammar sense are the pre-requisites for a good score in this section.

Some of the important points of this section are:

Synonym/Antonym:

One need to have an extensive set of vocabulary to recognize words of similar meaning.

Sentence completion:

There might be some sentences that may need completion with a suitable word from given options.

Comprehension:

A passage would be given and questions would be asked from it.

Quantitative aptitude

This, as the name suggests, is the test of one’s problem solving capabilities.

Cognitive testing is incomplete without this section.

Some of the important chapters of this section could be:

Number series:

A series of number would be given and you would be asked to find the missing elements of the series.

In order to do so, one needs to understand the relation between the numbers first.

Equation:

Building equation and solving them are always part of cognitive ability test.

Non-verbal section

This is perhaps the most interesting and challenging section for the students.

So a lot of time and importance should be given to this section at cogat practice test.

In this section various types of puzzles are posed at students.

To solve them, one needs to have calm and composed mentality.

Picture analogy, relationship inference and figure classifications et cetera are parts of this section.

All You Need to Know About the CogAT Practice Test

The best way to examine and discover your child’s potential is by exposing them to the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).

CogAT test is an evaluation test formulated for checking the merit of students who can enter gifted and talented programs.

However, in order to prepare for this test one must fully benefit from the CogAT practice test.

In order to reap the maximum benefit from the CogAT practice tests, it is rather important that the parents are made aware of a few basic points regarding the preparation course.

The criteria for giving percentage in the CogAT tests is simple however some don’t really catch the idea of percentile so here it is.

When the results come out they are decided upon the scores of each and every student that participated in it.

The percentile score is the expresses result relative to each student’s performance in the CogAT test.

For example, 45% of the students who participated in the CogAT test obtained less than 35 points where as 55% of the students got less than points.

Taking these in account, if it is stated that some student got a score higher than 60% of the candidates then the student stands at the 60th percentile.

CogAT Pratice Test Advantages

Parts of CogAT practice test

For every section or part of the CogAT practice tests there is specific given time.

There are three subtests of each section of the Cognitive Abilities Test, namely, Verbal Battery, Quantitative Battery and Non-Verbal Battery.

There are mostly multiple choice questions in the Verbal Battery test section.

These questioned are aimed to observe the vocabulary, perception of ideas and potential to pick new words while understanding their relationship in contrast to similar terminologies.

All such cognitive abilities can be assessed with Verbal Battery test.

On the other hand the Quantitative Battery analyzes the problem solving qualities of the candidate and his judgment in quantitative reasoning.

The final section is the Non-Verbal Battery which involves the use of illustrations and geometric shapes to evaluate the cognitive powers of the students.

How practice test helps in CogAT test

While preparing for the actual CogAT test, the CogAT practice test is recommended especially for the bright students who aim to get maximum percentile.

The CogAT practice test is the same as the real test with the CogAT Pratice Test and the marking scheme.

It also makes the student realize the management of time with relevance of every question as most questions are built with a specific time frame or else the candidate may get left behind.

Importance of CogAT practice test

You can consider tutoring. It’s a resourceful option; however, most often tutors will focus on reasoning problems to build critical thinking skills, not specific CogAT-type test prep and practice testing.

Those who prep for the CogAT, no matter their age, will have several advantages over those students who don’t.

When children can know in advance the types of questions, they will know what to expect or at least be somewhat familiar with the concepts.

They will spend less time trying to understand the directions and more time on the problems.

This is true for students who have taken the CogAT yearly versus first timer attempts.

Taking CogAT practice test will ensure that your child is following the right path to preparing for good score in the CogAT test.

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Updated: October 27th, 2019

There are many reasons to let your child attempt the CogAT practice test.

First off, know that many other parents are having their kids practice. When you allow your kids this opportunity, you are giving them the same advantage.

Many in-the-know parents have their kids prep in advance.

They may not tell you they are doing it. They may want everyone to think their kids are naturally “smart.”

What if their child doesn’t perform well on the test? They don’t want anyone to know their child didn’t do well EVEN THOUGH he/she practiced.

There are other parents who just want to see how well their children will perform on these tests.

Should You Let Your Child Attempt CogAT Practice Test

After our kids took the CogAT for the first time, we learned about the practice tests. When your child has access to the types of questions — the directions for each of the sections — this gives them an incredible advantage.

Because the CogAT is timed, they won’t use as much time trying to figure out what they are supposed to do during the actual test.

We used CogAT workbooks we found online. They helped my kids very much each time.

You can even make copies and print them out to test more than once over the course of several months to a year.

These practice workbooks are very helpful. You will have the questions for when you have some time to sit with your child.

Attempt CogAT practice test

They have CogAT practice tests from K – 8th grade. We bought the books from several grades – one at grade level and one from the year below.

By seeing the questions from the year before, it gave my kids confidence when they sat down to take the practice test for their grade. It also gave us that many more questions to practice. 

Cognitive Abilities Test is a form of examination which is designed to test a child’s or a student’s aptitude for performing certain things.

Scoring well is important because it determines whether or not they will be eligible to enter programs which promote and motivate an individual’s talents.

Should I Let My Child Take the CogAT Test
Benefits of Taking the CogAT Practice Test

Significance of Cognitive Abilities Test

In order to expose your child to a CogAT test, it is imperative parents know a few guidelines before encouraging their children.

For certain, before you let your children attempt the CogAT practice test, you should know why the school is administering the test.

Will the students’ scores be used in some way?

Will high CogAT scores qualify students for a special program? Or is it simply one of many elementary school standardized tests that don’t have much significance for your child?

Knowing what the school will do with the scores should help you decide how much and in what way you may want to help your child prepare.

Sections in the CogAT test

Each part of the test comes with a time limit.

There are subsets of each part of the CogAT which are as follows: the Verbal Battery, Quantitative Battery and Non-Verbal Battery. It’s a multiple choice test. Therefore, even if your child doesn’t know the answer, he or she can apply some reasoning abilities to eliminate one or more possible answers.

The child attempting this test must complete all questions given in the time given to him/her.

The test is basically designed to test a child’s way of thinking. It assesses how he or she forms an idea, their vocabulary, ability to comprehend, perceptions, ideas and the ability to choose different words while comprehending each word’s difference in meaning.

These abilities are examined through the CogAT practice test, in which each section deals with a different ability. Understanding Your Child’s CogAT Scores

For instance, through the Verbal battery subset, the test measures the ability to comprehend different terminologies and definitions.

In the Quantitative battery, students apply critical thinking and problem solving skills.

In the Non-Verbal battery subset, the CogAT assesses students’ reasoning abilities through illustrations. This section deals various geometrical forms and shapes as illustrations in order to assess cognitive abilities.

Does Practicing for this Test Help in Getting Better Percentages?

While getting ready for a real Cognitive Analysis Test, it is pertinent that students who are especially bright consider attempting a CogAT practice test.

Practice make perfect, and this makes perfect sense.

Practicing and applying your talent or ability before seriously attempting the test may help you gain more confidence and help apply your critically thinking abilities.

The practice test is no different from the real thing.

Practicing beforehand for the test will give you an advantage, primarily related to better time management. However, the biggest advantage is your child will know the exact thing they are supposed to do in each section. They will learn the directions in advance.

While each section has a different time period, it is important for students to work through the practice tests at home at whatever pace they are comfortable.

The goal isn’t to master the test. It’s to familiarize them with the directions, and to give them a chance to apply the directions to sample questions.

If you do not practice like this, it is likely that you will fall behind.

How Can You Prepare for a CogAT practice test?

Getting a good tutor is always a smart thing to do for any test.

A competent, well-known tutor can help teach your kid different time management tricks. A tutor can help keep kids from falling behind. Some use tutors to stay ahead.

The practice test book and questions are designed in the same was as the original test. This gives your child the opportunity to show up on test day with confidence, determination and motivation.

Though it is true that the CogAT is designed to bring out the talent and cognitive abilities of your child, it is still a better idea that you prepare him for a CogAT practice test.

Practicing ensures quicker responses, better time management and confidence for children appearing for the examination for the first time in their lives.

A practice test will no doubt prepare your child to start steering in the right direction.

Is there a Difference Between a CogAT and an IQ test?

There is a significant difference between an IQ test and a CogAT. While the IQ test aims for the students to score points which determine how smart they are, a CogAT assesses a person’s critical thinking ability.

It involves a psychological touch and also provides timely learning and information handling by the child.

While an IQ test is all about general knowledge, a CogAT provides a more detailed approach to critical assessment.

Cognitive Assessments are Important

A cognitive assessment reviews one’s talent and skill to determine whether or not he can achieve more through his expertise.

The main goal of a CogAT practice test is to familiarize your child with the types of questions on the test.

There are many parents out there who do not recognize the significance of a CogAT practice test and what it can do for the mental capabilities for their children. But for the parents who “are in the know,” you can be sure their children will do better than they would have done had they not prepared.

Many schools and teachers will not want children taking the practice test because it gives an unfair advantage.

Yet having them take CogAT practice test is a way to give them an edge for when they take the test at school

Taking the CogAT practice test

We strongly suggest you encourage your children to attempt the CogAT test. In this way, you can prepare them for the types of questions they will see.

Getting a good score on the CogAT practice test will also give you an idea if they will qualify for advanced placement courses, gifted and talented programs, or entire tracks in which the students work at an accelerated pace.

Another benefit? Working with your child in this way will also help you identify any particular strengths and talents your child may have.

By letting your child attempt the CogAT practice test, you can focus on certain areas which play to their strengths which will lead to confidence during the test and better scores.

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Updated: March 23rd, 2019

Cognitive abilities test examines a person’s capabilities regarding how he thinks, reacts to challenges, his perception, verbal abilities, mathematical understanding and the abilities required to solve problems.

CogAT tests, though are designed just for children, there are also other tests for adults who are looking to get employed in corporations.

Usually the only thing that is measured through IQ tests and General Tests is the general ability to display knowledge.

Cognitive abilities test provide insight regarding a person’s specific mental capabilities, for example, completing number series, verbal correlations and spatial analysis.

Cognitive Abilities Test – Interpretation and Overview

Here are some important factors that you need to know regarding the cognitive abilities tests for children.

What is a CogAT?

CAT refers to the cognitive abilities test.

As mentioned above, the purpose of this test is to assess your child’s ability to comprehend logic, the ability to reason and the ability to manipulate.

3 types of different evaluation techniques

1. Using words
2. Using mathematical quantities
3. Using visualizations

in forms of different shapes and patterns.

All three of these techniques are considerably useful for the human mind to function in an efficient manner.

There are three different ‘Batteries’ devoted to each technique in the test.

Each ‘Battery’ is then further broken down to form subsets which challenge different perspectives of reasoning.

Kids generally have different preferences when it comes to facing challenges regarding reasoning.

Some kids prefer mathematical challenges, some prefer verbal problems and some prefer using different illustrations and 3D patterns to showcase their level of intelligence.

By evaluating each individual’s score in these different batteries, considerable information can be extracted from their performances, meaning you will be able to know what your kid is better at and in which areas does he/she need help.

Advantages of Cognitive Abilities Test in School

One great thing about the CogAT test outcome is the fact that it does not in any way correlate to a student’s performance in school.

Schools tests normally challenge the knowledge of each individual pupil while the CogAT evaluates a student’s potential to show his/her capacity to grow mentally.

School experience and knowledge does not factor in the result of a CogAT.

The use of complex reasoning challenges at schools will provide a better understanding of a student’s abilities, talents and the space needed to hone that talent.

It will give teachers an avenue to design more comprehensive and effective ways of teaching and providing students the environment they need to improve themselves substantially.

The cognitive abilities test results provide teachers a guideline to standardize the classroom environment and challenges.

It provides grounds for the children to respect what they learn and to become responsible at learning.

Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis: A Broader Definition

The cognitive abilities test aims to assess and evaluate a child’s ability to reason.

The test itself is composed of nine different tests within a single test and each test has a different ‘battery’ or section.

The first battery is verbal reasoning, the second one quantitative reasoning and the third is non-verbal evaluation.

You can view CogAT preparation questions online

Different word mediums are used to assess the child’s verbal skills in the first battery.

The processes for the second battery are similar but instead of words the child is required solve numbers in the form of symbols.

The third battery deals with analyzing different spatial visualizations including puzzles, 3D imaging and other illustrations.

The third section is considered to provide a fair assessment due to the fact that you do not have to know English in order solves puzzles and other visualizations, thus this is suitable for children who have poor English speaking abilities.

Furthermore the third part provides a great assessment regarding a child’s ability to reason using figures and images rather than displaying intelligence using words or numbers.

Getting a good score in the third battery would mean that your child possesses the ability to perform well in science and technology, mathematics and design.

Does the CAT Evaluate a Child’s Natural Ability?

It is impossible to say that the cognitive abilities test assesses a child’s natural ability.

A child will perform well in all tests if he/she has received good teaching, parental support and is emotionally, mentally and physically healthy.

Having said that, when it comes to testing the kids’ reasoning abilities the CogAT test is not greatly influenced by the factors mentioned above in comparison to tests which are used in schools.

Tests’ curriculum designed by educational institutions such as the SATs and GSCE desire results which are derived by providing teaching and knowledge necessary to attempt such exams.

These tests in no way challenge a student’s cognitive ability.

Can Underachievers Be Identified Through The CAT?

The cognitive abilities test does not depend on a student’s school experience or what scores they have achieve in school tests.

Comparing the CAT results of a student with that of his/her school test results will give you great insight into the areas where the students needs more attention and areas in which he/she is strong.

CAT results help evaluate a child’s potential, for example the results will help in identifying why a student is falling behind in school and yet has average or even above average reasoning skills as displayed in the CAT.

Students not performing well in school are labeled as underachievers.

The cognitive abilities test highlights the fact that these students have a lot of room for improvement and can make considerable progress if guided in the right way.

Can I Keep Track of my Child’s Progress using CAT?

The result of a cognitive abilities test tends to be stable in comparison to school tests and annual school examinations.

In this regards it is better to view your child’s scorecard after each school examination in order to determine whether he is under-performing, staying average or performing better in relation to what they are being taught.

Determining Improvement and Decline in a Student’s Progress

There are a number of factors which can considerably affect a child’s performance in a performance related test on that specific day.

The pupil could have been tired, he or she could have experienced an unexpected event such as divorce or fighting between parents, he or she could have been bullied the day before, etc.

These factors can influence a test score considerably for an individual.

Moreover, due to the fact that school tests are generally very short, they do not provide an accurate assessment of a pupil’s reasoning abilities.

A cognitive abilities test examines a particular pupil’s progress differently.

As a general criterion, CAT recognizes a pupil’s improvement if he has scored 10 points more than he scored previously in any of the batteries of the test.

If the pupil achieves this, he/she will be said to have improved in the CAT.

Usually standard scores in the cognitive abilities test are derived when scores in all three batteries are similar or close to being similar.

The results in (verbal reasoning, quantitative analysis and non-verbal reasoning) should align with each other for a candidate to have a standard score.

Cognitive abilities test scores are never equal and it is a rare occurrence for anyone to get them.

Any improvement in the CAT will be judged when a particular student achieves 10 points or even more in one of the batteries.

The difference in points will be considered as being substantial.

If the score is lower than before then the student will be considered as being weak.

It is not advisable to make any suggestions based on a student’s school test scores.

Traditional test scores do not display a particular child’s cognitive reasoning skills.

They are merely attainment tests which are targeted at understanding whether or not the student qualifies to advance further.

In order to gauge where a student stands when it comes to problem solving and reasoning abilities it is best that parent or teacher refer to the individual’s cognitive abilities test score.

Differences in IQ and CAT Scores: An explanation

While IQ tests are taken individually, the cognitive abilities test is taken in a group.

Both settings have different benefits.

For example, some students would prefer to take the test individually due to problems associated with paying attention and may not understand the test when attempting in a group setting.

The IQ test involves the examiner reading out the questions to the pupil.

In a CAT, the pupils are required to read the materials given to them on their own.

Moreover, intelligence tests, such as the tests, assess some cognitive tasks which are not evaluated in the CAT, which means that in a way an IQ test can also be a reliable source of assessment regarding an individual’s cognitive abilities and reasoning skills.

Scores in both the tests can considerably differ if you consider factors like a child’s unwillingness to participate, his or her health, poor administration of the tests, etc.

The difference in scores depends on the applicant being assessed.

Is The Accuracy Of The Cognitive Abilities Test In Any Way Affected By Children Suffering From Dyslexia, Dyscalculia Or Other Attention Disorder Disabilities?

One of the factors that make the CAT stand out is the fact that it can be used to diagnose the student’s method of performance in all sections of the CAT.

For instance, if a student has dyslexia then it is likely that he or she will under perform in the verbal section of the test but perform well in the other two.

Students who have other attention disorders tend to score low on all three sections.

If this happens then it is advised that a further one-on-one assessment be done with the pupil(s).

Bear in mind that it is pertinent that you must realize the skills required of your child to attempt the cognitive abilities test or any other test in the first place if you desire accurate results.

For example, if the student is going to attempt the verbal abilities section in the test then it should be presupposed that your child has a normal grasp of basic reading and writing skills.

Without that, your child will not be able to attempt the test.

If a child’s reading abilities are considerably affected by dyslexia then an accurate assessment of his or her level of reasoning ability will not be made.

In such circumstances, the other two batteries (Quantitative Analysis and Non-verbal Analysis) may shed some light on how able the child is but it should be noted that children who have dyscalculia will most certainly be unfairly challenged in the above mentioned sections.

Importance of Proper Supervision and Management during the CAT

The CAT test should always be properly organized and supervised.

It is pertinent that the instructions given to the personnel must be followed correctly.

Each subset of the battery starts with the instructor demonstrating and explaining sample questions.

The instructor should make sure that everybody in the group appearing for the test is familiar with by the format of questioning.

Secondly, timing every individual is also very important and it is advised that instructors use stopwatches and or clock to ensure that time is equally given to each participant.

For example, if a subset has a the time limit of ten minutes, then it is necessary the entire ten minutes be given to the children, not a second more or less.

After the test has commenced, the administrator or instructor should not get involved.

He or she should only address problems which are deemed legitimate.

Can I Help in Reading Out the Questions Pertaining to the Verbal Analysis Out Loud?

It is advised that you should read the questions written on the verbal analysis section in the language that you originally speak, if not English.

But bear in mind that this may affect your child’s score.

Preparing for the CAT

It is important that you encourage your child to practice for a couple of months before the test.

Without preparation, an accurate assessment cannot be made.

Get involved with him/her, look for samples of the cognitive abilities test online and make sure your child understands everything.

There are also several educational games that help prepare for the CogAT

Updated: March 23rd, 2019

Cognitive Assessment and Tests

There are so many geniuses out there waiting to get the chance they deserve to show the world their actual potential and ability to generate the right amount of reasoning for a challenging situation and producing a solution within a deadline.

It’s all about cognitive functioning.

No matter how much or how great the knowledge of a scholar might be, devoid of cognitive analysis there is no success.

So, it is established that cognitive function is a mandatory skill that binds a genius to his wits.

There are several ways to test that power and the most effective among that is CogAT.

Cognitive Abilities Test Improve Your Skills and Reach Top

How to assess yourself Cognitive assessment

To find your Cognitive assessment it is important to view its tests for better understanding.

The test such as CogAT makes use of the person’s mental abilities under several platforms such as word relation and vocabulary, power of observation and mathematical challenges.

Through these various sections, a detailed picture can be drawn of the cognitive assessment of the person collectively.

Whether the situation involves establishing brain relation of patients suffering from brain diseases such as Parkinson’s or dementia or examining the academic potential of various students that have promising prospects, both of these situations can call forth the use of cognitive assessment.

IQ test and Cognitive assessment

Compared to the IQ test, generally as we know it, cognitive assessment is a lot different and broad as it involves the periodic learning and feeding information process that makes it quite the different platform from the IQ test.

Secondly, IQ test aims to assess the ability of a person in achieving an expected score that he might be capable of, while cognitive assessment and tests shows the individual’s ability to present an analytical decision based on a provided situation that cannot be accomplished without the right amount of potential in that individual.

This is the main idea of cognitive assessment, showing criteria in the evaluation.

The rising importance and applications of cognitive assessment

Cognitive assessment is however the main tool in the CogAT test and like many other tests, CogAT also involves the thorough appraisal of one’s ability in a particular area to make sure the individual excels through his expertise.

Cognitive assessment is the instrument for finding problems and providing its solutions.

Without this tactical advantage, the human race cannot understand other creatures such as animals or other beasts.

Even monkeys exhibit some amount of intelligence that we are able to comprehend, but without cognitive assessment that intelligence will find no meaning to us.

Several tests that are practiced on our closest biological relatives, the chimpanzees, also include picture analysis and verbal commands, same as CogAT.

It establishes the fact that understanding the intellect of any intelligent life form is achievable through cognitive assessment.

Cognitive assessment always helps

Ranging from basic mental exercises to deep reasoning and solution finding, cognitive assessments are used as a litmus test with a high success rate.

There is never a challenging mind that can’t be opened with the help of cognitive assessment and tests.

Who needs a cognitive assessment and why?

Cognitive assessment refers to the process by which a person’s mental functioning and abilities are evaluated, that is to say, their ‘cognitive function’ or Cognitive Ability is measured using a set of different parameters designed to encompass all the varied tasks that the human brain is capable of performing and grading them on how well they’re functioning compared to the average population, that have been predetermined and are now used as a sort of scale to place the results.

Abilities in relation to the mental functioning are evaluated through this test.

The test is a set of different parameters designed to encompass all the varied tasks that the human brain is capable of performing and grading them on how well they’re functioning compared to the average population, that have been predetermined and are now used as a sort of scale to place the results.

Cogat assessments can be used for a variety of reasons, ranging from establishing the level of brain function and normal mental work of patients suffering from various neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to evaluating a group of candidates or nominees for acceptance into a special program that requires people with some specific set of mental abilities.

Is cognitive assessment the same as the common I.Q. test?

Cogat assessment differs from the Intelligence quotient or the I.Q. test as the latter measures only the level of intelligence objectively while the former is more of an evaluation of how a person acquires and processes the information entering and being stored in the brain.

The Intelligence quotient is, however, a part of the cognitive assessment, along with other measures of brain function.

This is why cognitive assessment is considered to be an important test for children.

Growing trend has seen many parents take their children for a cognitive assessment exam.

What else does the cognitive assessment involve?

A cognitive assessment is a general term for any test that measures one or more brain functions.

These can be tailored to fit the needs of the executing authority so that more focus can be applied to those areas that merit the most attention.

Some of the tests that can be included are the inductive reasoning tests that measure the ability to figure out various situations, cognitive development tests that evaluate the maturation and the ‘mental age’ of a subject, consensus based assessment tests, memory evaluation including both short and long term memories as well as semantic and visual ones and the like and tests that assess the thought process, the image of oneself and others as they are perceived by the subject.

How are these cognitive assessments carried out?

These are usually administered using pen and paper, but the newer methods employing the use of computers have the advantages of processing additional information like reaction times and human errors, along with providing faster computing of results and management of information.

Cogat assessment is a useful tool to better understand the inner workings of an individual’s mind and their thought process, either for the purpose of helping them with some ailment or disorder or even for better employing their services in areas that they are most likely to excel in.

Cognitive assessments can be used for a variety of reasons, ranging from establishing the level of brain function and normal mental work of patients suffering from various neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to evaluating a group of candidates or nominees for acceptance into a special program.

Updated: October 27th, 2019

The Cognitive Abilities Test is widely used to find out the genius in the child.

Cognitive Abilities Test system is designed keeping in consideration that the individual should be tested in three categories. These are:

• Quantitative reasoning pertaining to mathematical problem solving
• Non-verbal testing pertaining to geometric figure testing
• Verbal reasoning pertaining to comprehensive skills

Reasoning is one of those features of human being that is developed with time and experience.

Also, every individual develops reasoning skills at a different pace.

One common misconception is that CogAT test measures an individual’s effort or hard work or previous knowledge. This is not the case as CogAT is entirely based on individuals reasoning skills and nothing else.

You can help your child prepare for the next time he/she takes the CogAT. It’s easy to do by letting him/her become familiar with the types of questions in advance. You can get an overview of the CogAT.

Cognitive Abilities Test

As mentioned above a CogAT evaluates an individual on three bases.

This article will discuss these three criterion in some detail.

Verbal reasoning or verbal batteries

The verbal section will measure lingual thesaurus, verbal reasoning, sentence completion and verbal analogies.

This portion of the test is usually dedicated on evaluating the fluency and the flexibility that the individual has in making verbal reasoning decisions.

These skills deal with critical thinking and other useful aspects on an individuals decision making skills.

Verbal Classification: The student is asked to identify the words having same underlying meanings

Sentence Completion: The student has to find the most appropriate words to fill the blank spaces

Verbal Analogies: The student has to make a relation between different words

Non-verbal reasoning or non-verbal batteries

This portion of the COGAT test uses shapes and figures to evaluate and individuals reasoning skills.

The students have to figure out strategies to find a meaning full relation between figures.

The students are expected to be efficient and effective in implementing these strategies.

CogAT Tests are Generally Used to Predict Success of Students

The test requires no reading and no prior knowledge.

Figure Classification: The students have to find a similar relation among figures like the one that exists in the question figure,

Figure Analogies: Out of the three given figures the first two are similar and the third one is similar to the answer figure

Figure Analysis: The student is given a paper of a folded paper and he/she has to figure out how the paper looks when it is unfolded.

Quantitative reasoning or Quantitative batteries

This portion of the COGAT test evaluates a student’s reasoning skills based on mathematical skills.

The students have to use mathematical functions in order to solve the problem given to them.

This is a test of their analyzing and problem solving skills.

Quantitative Relations: The student has to choose the best out of three possible answers

Number Series: This involves completing a series of number based on previous relations.

Equation Building: Student has to use mathematical functions to solve a problem

All-in-all COGAT is a system that evaluates an individual based on their reasoning skills entirely.

No, part of  the Cognitive Abilities Test is associated with the IQ or the motivation that an individual has.  Ease The Anxiety Of CogAT Test For Students

Cognitive tests a tool to examine intelligent life

Cognitive tests are evaluations that aimed to find certain cognitive abilities in animals and humans.

For instance in animals, cognitive tests comprise of various forms visual as well as hearing exams.

It may include self-awareness tests by placing a mirror in front and the T-maze test for discovering the inquisitive nature and learning with consistent memory.

In contrast to animals, humans are far more evolved and senior and in that respect the cognitive tests administered are also of higher level.

These tests include several types if IQ tests and psychological challenges that are sometimes impossible to solve, yet an answer is compulsory to the question, whether it is possible or not.

The Difference between Cognitive test and other psychological evaluations

What is CogAT/CAT?

The test known as CogAT or CAT is a K-12 assessment constructed to evaluate the student’s potential in acquiring good academic success by determining his abilities to solve psychological problems under three basic sections.

The reasoning abilities of the student are the most crucial factor in his independence of academics.

The three sections are: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal test, all of which give a predicted score of the student through the analyses of his stated answer to questions of psychological importance.

The main idea is not getting the IQ checked but rather having the reasoning ability of the student scrutinized with advance techniques.

Mental levels and Cognitive tests results

CogAT is designed with overlapping courses and questions with analytical criteria throughout the session.

This gives a clearer view of the student’s potential to grasp the problem and assess the areas of difficulty where he failed to answer correctly.

The scale of difficulty is in ascending manner to allow the candidate to judge the abilities of reasoning with the succession of years from kindergarten to higher grades.

There are several levels from low, average to high-ability sessions while some students can join any group based on their ability to grasp the question.

These types of students are often scorers of 90th percentile with unique level of thinking and with a better IQ than most of the students.

These students have promising prospects if guided with the right level.

Division of syllabus within CogAT

The reasoning abilities of the student are the critical for independence of academics.

The three sections are: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal test, all of which give a predicted score of the student through the analyses of his stated answer to questions of psychological importance.

The central idea is not to get the IQ checked but rather having the reasoning ability of the student examined with advance techniques.

Verbal Battery and Cognitive tests

The ability to analyze the relationship between words and acquire instantaneous vocabulary is associated with verbal battery tests in CogAT.

It involves assessment of ideas with regard to presented problems and how efficiently the candidate is able to solve them.

Many subjects require this quality in order to succeed with high scores.

The verbal score is ascertained through the sub-tests.

The candidate is allowed 10 minutes to complete each sub-test of 20 questions.

The association of Cognitive tests and non-verbal test in CogAT

The most challenging section, according to majority student reviews is the Non-Verbal Battery section which includes illustrations and geometrical shapes with the most original problems students have to face.

The tests are made up of 15-25 questions with a given time of 10 minutes per each part.

Quantitative Battery in regard to Cognitive tests

The abstract reasoning and quantitative intellect of the student is expressed in the Quantitative Battery.

The primary goal of this section is to take out the perceptive abilities of the student and review them for score predictions in the future.

In the three tests of quantitative battery, the first part includes 25 questions with 8 minutes deadline, the second comprises of 20 questions with 10 minutes deadline and the last part is made up of 15 questions with 12 minute deadline.

Almost all parents assume their child to be one of the geniuses, and actually they are.

Updated: March 23rd, 2019

A cognitive assessment test is essentially taken to assess one’s abilities and capabilities pertaining to mental sharpness.

There are many brilliant people out there waiting to be given the opportunity to display their true capabilities and talents when it comes to reasoning and problem solving.

Cognitive functioning is vital for future success and growth.

A cognitive assessment test ranges from the ability to reason in children to that of adults.

This Cognitive test is a deciding factor that evaluates an individual’s chances of success in the future based on his ability to think fast and think smart.

What is a Cognitive Abilities Test?

In order to determine where you stand when it comes to logical thinking, it is better that you first understand what a cognitive test (CogAT) is.

CogAT consists of questions related to three different areas of a person’s thinking capacity, namely his ability to absorb information, his ability to process mathematical calculations and his ability to make sense of different puzzles and imaging.

An individual’s observational powers come in to question when attempting a CogAT at any level.

Based on the results of the cognitive function test, a clear assessment can be made regarding a person’s mental abilities.

A person might have a lot of data to go through and to understand, but if he does not have the ability to absorb information and use it to provide solutions then it means that the person has failed to use his mental abilities to the fullest.

Without cognitive abilities you will never be able to achieve success at any stage of life.

Cognitive abilities can be improved and enhanced through various educational and academic endeavors.

High cognitive functioning is what separates a genius from the rest.

There are other ways to test your mental abilities, an IQ test for example is a good way to test your knowledge about general knowledge and facts but a cognitive assessment test truly targets the more specific areas of your mind.

It targets your ability to reason and your ability to think logically and rationally.

There are cognitive tests which are performed on animals as well.

For example, chimpanzees that are closest to human in biological terms, the test is comprised of spatial analysis and verbal engagement both of which similar to the cognitive functioning test for humans.

Thus, the cognitive assessment test has proved that it is a more accurate measure of one’s intellectual capacity.

The significance of CogAT

No matter what the situation, whether a doctor needs to make an assertion with regards to a patient’s mental condition in determining whether or not he is suffering from a brain disease such as dementia, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, or to evaluate and assess a student’s academic prowess, in both circumstance the CogAT is used to determine facts.

Without proper cognitive functioning a human will not be able to distinguish between an animal and himself.

Is There Any Different Between The Standard IQ Test And The Cognitive Assessment Test?

The cognitive functioning test is different than the IQ test in many ways.

It involves a broader coverage of brain related abilities through different techniques of questioning compared to direct questioning as in an IQ test which is purely knowledge based.

Furthermore, the IQ test aims to evaluate the capability of an individual to achieve results which are expected of him, whereas the cognitive functioning test aims to measure a person’s reasoning skills based on challenges which demand analytical thinking, nothing is expected of the student.

It is purely up to his level of reasoning that will determine how well or how poorly he performs on the test.

Other Types of Tests Memory Tests

These tests are used to determine the short-term memory capability of individuals.

They measure the capacity of a person’s mind to process and store information and events.

Memory tests are mostly used for the evaluation of elderly people.

Short-term memory loss or memory loss in general is usually a symptom indicating that a person might be suffering from dementia.

Intelligence Quotient Tests

IQ tests evaluate a person’s general knowledge and general thinking skills.

There are two stages in which an IQ test is divided, nonverbal and verbal IQ.

These two stages are further divided into subsets, for example math, visual math, logical thinking, and memory challenges, etc.

However, IQ tests are considered somewhat contentious and indicate an intelligence imbalance when broader demographics are compared.

IQ tests are fairly popular and are used by psychiatrists for evaluating children.

The (WAIS) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale is an IQ test most commonly for children.

A cognitive assessment test however is a more efficient and non-discriminatory way of assessing one’s true capabilities.

Aptitude Tests

These tests are used in order to evaluate a person’s talent for something prior to gaining any sort of experience in it.

An individual’s natural or innate abilities are measured through aptitude tests.

For example a child may be asked to display his musical abilities by giving him musical challenges.

Aptitude tests are used only for children who have higher learning abilities as compared to learning how to attain desired results.

A cognitive assessment test, on the other hand, aims to target a child’s innate mental abilities through reasoning and analytical challenges such as spatial visualizations and mathematical puzzles.

Tests Designed for little Children

Written tests cannot be taken by little children and due to this reason a cognitive assessment test was designed so that a degree of fairness and equality be set for children coming from different ethnicity and cannot speak English.

Cognitive Assessment Test for Elderly People

Cognitive tests are best suited for elderly people who are suffering from mild dementia and memory loss.

This test is used by doctors all over the world to determine whether or not someone is susceptible to terminal brain disease, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Old people who have dementia cannot take written tests due to their inability to remember things.

Their cognitive assessment is evaluated through more interactive measures, such as recognizing visualizations, illustrations, naming important events, etc.

The Montreal cognitive assessment test is used for such purpose.

The Medical Applications of a Cognitive Abilities Examination

The main purpose of a cognitive assessment test is to extract an individual’s eccentricities and distinctive understanding of past and present events.

Regrettably many doctors confirm that the events though are clear in meaning, but the patient has completely misinterpreted their original meaning.

For instance, patients who have experienced a breakup might tend to become severely disheartened and dejected because they might consider themselves undesirable.

They might think they are incapable of being loved by another person, or take care of themselves and cannot rely on their decision-making abilities.

In a cognitive assessment test a patient’s understanding of events is vital because their understanding is the main purpose of the therapy.

The main task of the cognitive analyst will be to obtain repeated or recurring thoughts of the patient, thoughts which are conceived on impulse and ones that the patient believes are true.

These thoughts will be associated with pessimistic and off-putting influences for the patient.

Most common off-putting impulses are; “I will always be a failure”, “I’ll always be unhappy”, etc.

More common persistent and omnipresent thoughts are primary suppositions for example statements which always include a ‘should’ in them as in, “I should ask for approval from everybody” and statements which include an ‘if then’ in them as in, “If I do not get permission, then I will surely fail”.

Mostly patients who display a degree of apprehension and nervousness have been recorded as having visual metaphors and imagery.

These images cannot necessarily be called delusions or illusions but rather metaphors which involve the idea that something bad or fatal is going to occur.

For instance, a patient who had the panic disorder syndrome visualized that she would be out on a drive on the bridge and then lose control of her car.

She saw herself fall to her death below.

Cognitive assessment tests are used in order to evaluate whether or not there are chances that such patients can recover from dementia and other brain related diseases.

Images which are less frightful and more enlightening often tend to reflect the patient’s idea about how certain trials and tribulations might be acceptably and adequately solved and or decided.

When a psychoanalyst questioned a 45-year old unmarried lady whether she could think up of a positive image, the woman began to express her thoughts and said that she could imagine herself with the love of her life, lying in bed holding hands, but this visual image brought out tears as she said that it is highly unlikely that she would end up this way.

Similarly, during a cognitive assessment test, an older woman was reported having a positive image which included the death of her husband in an accident in which she survived.

She had this image due to the fact that her marriage was riddled with disagreements and disputes with her husband which also led to the woman developing neurotic depression.

Strangely enough her husband’s death in the image was a source of comfort to her.

Contrary to popular perception that a cognitive assessment test involves evaluating just the positive aspects of a patient, it is a wrong assumption. Many habitual or routine thoughts may be predicted to be true.

For example, if a student believes that he will fail a particular test then chances are that he/she may in fact fail the test.

But this is beside the point; the main idea is to gauge what a patient makes of it.

For example, if you are not invited to a party, what will you think?

Will it mean something to you?

Many individuals would misinterpret this as permanent rejection meaning they will think that they will always be rejected in the future.

To settle on which though is suitable and which is not, a thorough cognitive assessment test is used to determine your reasoning abilities.

Cognitive evaluation in patients involves the extraction of spontaneous thoughts and assessments that individuals demonstrate when they are angry, depressed, anxious and nervous.

The following are some common cognitive misinterpretations related to negative thoughts;

Cognitive Misinterpretations

Assuming Too Much:

You think you know what other people are thinking about you in a negative manner, for example “He thinks I am a quitter, a loser.”

Future Predictions:

You constantly try to predict what is going to happen to you in the near future, for example “I am going to certainly fail this exam.” or “I won’t get hired.”

Irrational Beliefs

You tend to exaggerate things and assume that if anything happens you will not be able to bear it.

“It will be depressing if I fail.”

Labeling:

You label yourself with negative traits for example, “I am unlovable” or “He’s a really horrible person.”

Negativity:

You never look at the bright side of things, for example “Everybody hates me, no matter what.”

Generalizing Every Single Thing

You tend to relate each negative pattern as a basis of saying “This only happens to me,” or “This usually happens to me.

I am a failure.”

You view life events in a negative light and think, “If I do not improve myself, I will always fail.”

You blame yourself for everything.

For example, “The divorce was my fault.”

You often blame others for your own mistakes, failing to realize and accept any sort of responsibility.

For example, “It was due to him that I am like this now.”

You blame the past and think of your past and base your entire decisions on prior life events.

For example, “I could’ve done better, only if I tried.”

A cognitive assessment test is really important in order for you to truly know what you are capable of.

Without sharp thinking skills you can never be confident enough to face the many trials and tribulations you encounter in life.

Logical thinking and reasoning skills will always come in handy for future developments, both mentally and career wise.