About the Exam (F.A.Q.) 

General

• What training do I need to administer the test? [See also "What professional level do you need to interpret the test?"]
• What and who has training, re: interpretations?
• Is there a non-computerized version of the Cognistat test available?
• Is it possible to speak to a licensed staff member about recent usage of the test with psychiatric populations, composite score development, and comparison to other screening instruments?
• What are the different scenarios of who can administrate and then interpret the test?
• What professional level do you need to interpret the test?
• Why do you administer a test?
• On the Metric of the Construction Ability is the drawing in the Cognistat test booklet that depicts the arrangements of the tokens on the desk, from the patient’s perspective or from the examiner’s?

Grad School Projects – Study

• Cost at student discount available?

General

What training do I need to administer the test?
An individual with a high school education who is fluent in the English language and has read the Cognistat Manual is able to administer the test, score the results, and complete the graphic profile on the front page.
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What and who has training, re: interpretations?
Interpretation of Cognistat results is done at different levels. At the simplest level one may describe an individual’s test performance as falling within the range of normal or in the mild, moderate or severe range of impairment on specific subtests. Scores must always be described with reference to the norms for a patient’s age range that are detailed in the Cognistat Manual. The significance of these results ultimately depends on a number of factors. Among these are a clear understanding of the patient’s mental state at the time of testing, which can be influenced by a broad range of factors. These factors are described in Cognistat Manual section entitled, “Cautions and Interpretations.” An important consideration is an individual’s baseline level of functioning overall and in each of the separate cognitive ability areas. The significance of test results with regard to specific pathologic entities or conditions (such as stroke, brain injury, dementia, ADHD, etc) will be determined best by an individual with either psychological or medical training.
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Is there a non-computerized version of the Cognistat test available?
Yes. Cognistat originally existed, and continues to exist, as a paper and pencil test.
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Is it possible to speak to a licensed staff member about recent usage of the test with psychiatric populations, composite score development, and comparison to other screening instruments?
Per-reviewed article describing usage of Cognistat with different psychiatric populations is referenced both in the Cognistat Manual and on Cognistat’s online list of references. For the most recent information regarding Cognistat usage with specific psychiatric populations, the user of Cognistat is advised to consult the Internet.
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What are the different scenarios of who can administrate and then interpret the test?
An individual with a high school education who is fluent in the English language and has read the Cognistat Manual is able to administer the test, score the results, and complete the graphic profile on the front page.

Interpretation of Cognistat results is done at different levels. At the simplest level one may describe an individual’s test performance as falling within the range of normal or in the mild, moderate or severe range of impairment on specific subtests. Scores must always be described with reference to the norms for a patient’s age range that are detailed in the Cognistat Manual. The significance of these results ultimately depends on a number of factors. Among these are a clear understanding of the patient’s mental state at the time of testing, which can be influenced by a broad range of factors. These factors are described in Cognistat Manual section entitled, “Cautions and Interpretations.” An important consideration is an individual’s baseline level of functioning overall and in each of the separate cognitive ability areas. The significance of test results with regard to specific pathologic entities or conditions (such as stroke, brain injury, dementia, ADHD, etc) will be determined best by an individual with either psychological or medical training.
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What professional level do you need to interpret the test?
Interpretation of Cognistat will be performed at different levels and for different purposes depending upon the person’s background, education, and training. The meaning of any profile can only be established by a consideration of a patient’s baseline level of functioning, current status (as affected by a wide range of variables that are enumerated in the Cognistat manual), and by an awareness of the patient’s ongoing medical problems.
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Why do you administer a test?
Cognitive assessment can be performed for a many different reasons. The Mental status examinations performed by psychiatrists and neurologists vary, but both address cognitive functioning. The nature of a patient’s cognitive functioning may be of great relevance to a broad range of other medical practitioners, nurses, and rehabilitation professionals. Understanding patients’ specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses (with regard to attention as well as the five major areas of cognitive functioning: language, spatial skills, memory, arithmetic and judgment) is helpful in determining whether a patient is able to remember to take his medications, can communicate adequately in spoken or written terms, has visual spatial impairments that may contribute to problems driving or getting lost a familiar neighborhood. Arithmetical weaknesses and problems of practical judgement have obvious implications in a variety of settings, particularly the assessment of testamentary capacity.
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On the Metric of the Construction Ability is the drawing in the Cognistat test booklet that depicts the arrangements of the tokens on the desk, from the patient’s perspective or from the examiner’s?
The drawing is from the patient’s perspective (not the examiner’s.)
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Grad School Projects – Study

Cost at student discount available?
Individuals wishing to perform graduate school projects utilizing Cognistat will need to purchase the test in standard fashions. There is no student discount available.
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