Memory testing involves assessing an individual’s recollection of academic, work, and home tasks. We provide assessments for people of all ages designed to help you understand your strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Often, this assessment is part of a larger psychological battery designed to assess cognitive functioning. However, it can also be done as a stand-alone, such as when a person wants a specific short-term memory test or working memory test. Many of these evaluations we give can be given virtually. You need to have a comfortable and quiet place to work and the ability to use basic technology (or someone available to help, especially in the case of severe memory loss testing).
You are welcome to contact us or schedule a consultation if you want to learn more about our memory testing services, but first, here is an overview:
Types of Memory Testing
Here are some common types of assessments that we give : 
- Episodic: This type measures the ability to recall specific events or experiences. Examples include recalling details of a past event or from a story you’ve read.
- Semantic: This approach evaluates your fund of general knowledge and factual information. Examples include questions about historical events, general facts, or concepts.
- Spatial: These assess the ability to remember and navigate spatial information. This may involve recalling the layout of a room or reproducing a spatial pattern.
- Verbal: This specific type of assessment focuses on remembering and recalling verbal information, such as lists of words or passages of text.
- Visual: Like verbal, visual assesses remembering and recognizing visual information, such as images or patterns.
We often assess for more than one type, including memory loss testing, which may involve several categories. We start with a comprehensive assessment before narrowing things down to more specific measures. Even if you suspect a deficit in one area or another, memory testing is designed to detect more subtle differences and strengths that may be as helpful as knowing your challenges.
Short-Term Memory Test Examples
A short-term memory test evaluates your ability to temporarily store and recall information over a short period, typically ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. Here are a few examples of short-term measures we use:
Digit Span Short-term Memory Test
In this short-term memory test, you are presented with a sequence of digits orally or visually and are asked to recall them immediately after the presentation. It typically consists of a forward digit span (recalling digits in the same order) and a backward digit span (recalling digits in reverse order). The latter two short-term memory test examples evaluate your ability to manipulate the information in your mind instead of just holding it there.
Letter-Number Sequencing
This short-term memory test assesses your ability to manipulate and temporarily store information. You are presented with a series of letters and numbers and are required to recall and reorder them according to specific instructions, such as sorting letters alphabetically and numbers numerically.
Spatial Span Short-term Memory Test
This measure evaluates visuospatial short-term recollection. You are asked to reproduce a sequence of spatial locations presented visually (e.g., tapping a sequence of squares in the same order).
Word and Picture Recall
You are presented with a list of words or pictures and asked to recall as many as possible immediately after the presentation. This short-term memory test assesses verbal and visual short-term recollection.
Each short-term memory test can provide valuable insights into your cognitive abilities.
Working Memory Test Examples
A working memory test measures your capacity to hold and manipulate information in the short term. This can involve tasks like remembering and rearranging sequences of numbers or letters. Working memory is crucial for various cognitive processes, including problem-solving, reasoning, comprehension, and learning. Here are several common measures:
Reading Span Working Memory Test
In this working memory test, you read a series of sentences and asked to remember the final word of each sentence while also performing a distractor task, such as solving math problems or identifying whether a sentence is true or false. After a set of sentences, you recall the final words in the correct order.
Operation Span Working Memory Test
This working memory test involves presenting you with a series of mathematical operations (e.g., 3 + 2 = 5) intermixed with unrelated words. You must solve each mathematical operation while remembering the words. After a set of operations, participants recall the words they encountered in the correct order.
Delayed Response Task
In this working memory test you are presented with a stimulus (e.g., a visual cue or a location) and must maintain that information during a delay period before responding. This task assesses the ability to hold information in mind actively over a short delay.
Tower of London
This working memory test requires participants to mentally manipulate colored balls on pegs to match a target arrangement while adhering to specific movement rules. It assesses planning ability, which relies on working processes.
Each working memory test provides valuable information for understanding your cognitive abilities and designing interventions to improve function.
Uses for Memory Testing
There are many reasons why people come in for these assessments, but here are some common uses:
Memory Testing as Part of Clinical Assessments
These assessments determine a person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, showing patterns related to potential diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This type of psychological assessment battery can be repeated to track changes in cognitive function over time, aiding in assessing intervention strategies. These clinical assessments may be part of a larger goal of assessing a person’s overall functioning, such as with memory loss testing.
Educational Assessments
These assessments are employed in educational settings to assess students’ ability to retain and recall information, skills that can influence academic performance. They are also used to identify learning disabilities related to recollection. Memory testing often suggests accommodations and interventions that help people learn or work to their potential despite challenges.
Occupational and Vocational Memory Testing
Certain professions may require good recollection skills. Memory tests can be used as part of pre-employment assessments or to evaluate an employee’s fitness for a specific role. We often use them in our vocational assessments to help people understand what jobs and careers suit them best. In both cases, we are looking for weaknesses and opportunities for the person to use their strengths to achieve at their fullest.
Sports and Performance Psychology
Memory tests may be used in sports psychology to assess and enhance athletes’ performance and skill retention. They are a common part of the routine of advanced athletes who want to achieve at the highest level, but they can be helpful for any athlete. Certain sports and training routines are particularly amenable to memory testing.
Memory Testing for Personal Development
Some people pursue memory tests as part of cognitive training programs to enhance memory skills and cognitive abilities. Others may want to understand their strengths and weaknesses better to enhance what they’re naturally good at and work on challenges.
Memory Tests
There are various types of memory tests, and our choice of instrument depends on the specific aspects are being assessed. Some common instruments we use include:
- Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS): The WMS is a widely used tool that assesses different aspects, including verbal, visual, and working. We often start with the WMS, which paints an overall picture.
- California Verbal Learning (CVLT): This test focuses on verbal learning and recollection. It involves presenting a list of words to the individual and assessing their ability to recall and recognize them.
- Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCFT): This measure evaluates visuospatial recollection. After a delay, participants are asked to copy a complex geometric figure and then reproduce it. This measure is helpful in short and medium-term memory loss testing.
- Digit Span: A component of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Digit Span is a short-term memory test that requires individuals to repeat a sequence of digits in the same or reverse order.
- Trail Making: While not exclusively a memory test, Trail Making assesses cognitive flexibility, visual attention, and task-switching, which are related to recollection functions.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): This brief screening tool is often used to assess cognitive impairment and includes questions related to orientation, recollection, and attention. It is often central to memory loss testing.
Our selection of instruments depends on the specific goals of the assessment and the person being assessed.
Memory Test Interpretation
When we interpret memory testing, we consider various factors, including:
- Diagnostic factors: Some diagnoses, such as ADHD and anxiety, show specific patterns of results, so we look for that when a person is referred for diagnostic assessment.
- Aging: Some decline in recollection is a normal part of the aging process, but in some cases, this happens more quickly than expected. These assessments can determine whether concern is warranted.
- Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression can affect performance. These assessments can be helpful, particularly when it is initially done during a period of calm, since that assessment can be used as a baseline to measure changes.
- Medications: Some medications may have side effects that impact recollection; we sometimes do assessments that evaluate that. This may include evaluating people when they have and haven’t taken the medication. This is always done under the guidance of the person’s prescriber.
Memory testing is often just one component of a comprehensive cognitive assessment. Our interpretation of results always considers an individual’s overall health and cognitive functioning.
Working Memory Test Case Example
Lisa is a 22-year-old college student studying psychology. She has been experiencing difficulties keeping track of multiple pieces of information while reading, following multi-step directions, and recalling numbers in order. She wants to be sure her performance does not suffer and whether accommodations may help so she comes to us for an assessment.
Measures Administered:
- Digit Span (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – WAIS-IV)
- Forward Span: Lisa is asked to repeat sequences of numbers (e.g., “5-2-8-6”) exactly as presented.
- Backward Span: Lisa is asked to repeat the numbers in reverse order (e.g., “6-8-2-5”).
- Sequencing Span: Lisa is asked to recall the numbers in ascending order (e.g., “2-5-6-8”).
- N-Back Task
- Lisa views a sequence of letters appearing one at a time on a screen.
- She presses a button when the current letter matches the one presented two trials ago (2-back condition).
- Operation Span Task
- Lisa reads simple math equations aloud (e.g., “Is 3 + 4 = 7?”) while also remembering a series of unrelated words.
- She is asked to recall the words in the correct order at the end of the task.
Results and Interpretation
Lisa performs well on the forward digit span but struggles with the backward span and sequencing tasks, indicating difficulty manipulating and reorganizing information in her mind. In the N-back task, she shows below-average performance, suggesting challenges with continuously updating memory. The operation span task reveals difficulty holding information while completing another cognitive task.
Working Memory Testing Conclusion:
Lisa’s results suggest weaknesses that explain her difficulties in academic settings. We helped her get accommodations like note-taking support, extended test time, and breaking complex instructions into smaller steps. We also gave her a toolkit of strategies known to help and offered ongoing coaching as she implemented these techniques.
Memory Loss Testing Case Example
Emily is a 25-year-old graduate student who has recently noticed increasing forgetfulness. She struggles to recall conversations, misplaces important items, and frequently forgets deadlines despite using reminders. She meets with us virtually for memory loss testing.
Measures Administered:
- Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV)
- Logical Test: Emily listens to a short story and is asked to recall details immediately and after a 30-minute delay.
- Verbal Paired Associates: She hears pairs of unrelated words (e.g., “tree – pencil”) and is later asked to recall the second word when given the first.
- Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure
- Emily is shown a complex geometric figure and asked to copy it.
- After a delay, she is asked to draw the figure again.
- Digit Span (WAIS-IV)
- She repeats number sequences forward and backward as a short-term memory test that also measures working capacity.
- California Verbal Learning (CVLT-II)
- Emily is read a list of words and asked to recall them immediately and after a delay for medium-term memory loss testing.
- Recognition and recall strategies are analyzed to determine if she has difficulty with encoding, storage, or retrieval.
Results and Interpretation:
Emily performs well on immediate recall tasks but shows impairments in delayed recall, indicating difficulty with retention. Her performance on recognition tasks suggests encoding deficits rather than retrieval issues. She also struggles with organizing and using strategies effectively.
Memory Loss Testing Conclusions
Emily’s memory loss testing reveals issues related to stress and anxiety. We helped her build a toolkit of strategies, such as using structured reminders, engaging in mindfulness to reduce cognitive overload, and chunking information to assist with retention. Given the possibility of ADHD, we referred her to a therapist who practices cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety and can also do a further assessment of ADHD. We helped her get college accommodations to ensure these struggles do not limit her. Finally, follow-up memory loss testing was scheduled for six months from now to ensure that the
Summary and Our Services
Memory testing is versatile and can be adapted for various purposes depending on the specific needs of the assessment. It plays a crucial role in understanding cognitive abilities, diagnosing disorders, and improving performance in different domains. We provide this service for a wide variety of purposes, including working, short-ter, and memory loss testing, both as stand-alone assessments and as part of larger batteries designed to measure cognitive skills.
We welcome you to schedule a consultation if you have questions about how memory testing could benefit you, or feel free to contact us if you have specific questions.
