Understanding Cognitive Assessments

Cognitive assessments play a vital role in helping individuals and healthcare professionals understand how the brain functions across areas such as memory, attention, language and problem-solving. At Sellick Psychology, we offer cognitive assessment services in Ivanhoe tailored to people of all ages, whether you're concerned about your child’s learning, exploring neurodiversity such as ADHD or autism, or noticing memory changes later in life.

In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about cognitive assessment including cognitive testing, explain what to expect during an assessment and highlight how our Ivanhoe psychology team can support you or your loved ones through the process.

What is Cognitive Assessment?

A cognitive assessment is a standardised set of tests used by psychologists to measure how well a person’s brain is functioning. These assessments evaluate a range of cognitive domains, including:

• Memory, this includes both short-term and long-term memory
• Attention and concentration
• Processing speed
• Language skills
• Reasoning and problem-solving
• Visual-spatial abilities

At Sellick Psychology in Ivanhoe, we conduct cognitive assessments using the highest standard tools like the Wechsler scales (WISC, WAIS) and other neuropsychological tests to ensure accurate results for our patients. These cognitive assessments are used to support clinical diagnoses such as specific learning disorders, ADHD, intellectual disability or cognitive decline due to ageing or injury.

What Are the 5 Cognitive Assessment Tests?

There are many different types of cognitive tests used in psychological assessments, five commonly used components across most testing batteries include:

1. Memory Tests
   These assess both short-term (working memory) and long-term memory. Tasks may include remembering sequences of numbers or recalling a list of words after a delay.
2. Attention and Concentration Tests
   These tests measure how well a person can focus and maintain attention over time. An example might be a task where the person must respond only when a specific letter or number appears.
3. Language Tests
   These assess expressive and receptive language skills, such as naming objects, understanding spoken instructions, or producing words in a category (like naming animals in 60 seconds).
4. Executive Functioning and Problem Solving
   This includes tasks that measure planning, organising, flexible thinking, and logical reasoning. For example, puzzles or sequencing tasks are often used.
5. Visual-Spatial Processing
   These tasks assess how well a person can perceive, analyse and mentally manipulate visual information. Block design or drawing tasks are common examples.

Each of these domains contributes to an individual’s overall cognitive profile and can highlight both areas of strength and potential challenges.

What Are Questions in a Cognitive Assessment Test?

There are more 30-question that form part of a cognitive test. These 30 questions often refers to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) — a widely used screening tool in clinical psychology and aged care settings. It is helpful for detecting cognitive impairment or monitoring cognitive changes over time, especially in older adults.

The MMSE includes tasks that assess:

• Orientation (e.g. knowing the date, location)
• Attention and calculation (e.g. serial sevens: subtracting 7 from 100 repeatedly)
• Immediate and delayed recall (e.g. remembering three words)
• Language (e.g. following a three-stage command, naming objects, repeating phrases)
• Visual-spatial skills (e.g. copying a diagram)

The maximum score is 30 points with a score of 24 or above considered within the normal range. Some results must be interpreted in context by a qualified psychologist or medical professional.

At Sellick Psychology, we don’t rely solely on screening tools like the MMSE. We offer comprehensive cognitive assessments that provide more detailed and reliable insights, especially when diagnostic clarity or educational planning is needed.

What Are the Three Words to Remember for a Cognitive Assessment?

One of the hallmark features of the MMSE and other quick cognitive assessments the “three-word recall” task. In this exercise, the psychologist  says three unrelated words (for example: desk, plate, paper) and asks the patient to repeat them immediately. Then they are requested to recall the words a few minutes later.

The goal of this task is to assess both short-term memory (immediate repetition) and delayed memory recall (after a distraction).

The exact words can vary depending on the test version or the psychologist with the purpose remaining the same to provide a quick snapshot of memory function.

If someone has trouble remembering the words after a short delay, it may suggest difficulties with memory encoding or retrieval, which may warrant a more detailed cognitive assessment.

Why Choose Sellick Psychology for a Cognitive Assessment in Ivanhoe?

At Sellick Psychology, our highly trained team of psychologists offers in-depth, evidence-based cognitive assessments in a calm and supportive environment. As a local Ivanhoe psychology provider, we understand the unique needs of the community and take the time to tailor assessments for children, adolescents, adults and older individuals.

Our cognitive assessments can be helpful for:

• Identifying learning difficulties in children and adolescents
• Supporting applications for NDIS or school funding
• Clarifying diagnoses such as ADHD or intellectual disability
• Monitoring cognitive decline in older adults
• Providing medico-legal or workplace reports

We use a range of standardised tools such and always provide a detailed written report and feedback session to help you understand the results and next steps.

Ready to Book a Cognitive Assessment?

If you or a family member would benefit from a cognitive assessment, we invite you to contact Sellick Psychology in Ivanhoe. Whether you’re noticing changes in memory, concerned about your child’s development, or seeking a professional diagnosis, our team is here to help. Information about your first visit at Sellick Psychology is available here.

Our warm and experienced psychologists will guide you through the process with care and professionalism.