Nih toolbox

Below is a ** complete list of the cognitive tests included in the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery , organized by ** domain , with notes relevant to children and adolescents (8–18 years) and remote / digital deployment .

NIH Toolbox¶

– Cognition Battery¶

The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) is designed for ages 3–85, with strong validation in school-aged children and adolescents. All tests are computerized, adaptive where appropriate, and standardized.

1. Executive Function & Attention¶

Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test¶

Domain: Inhibitory control, selective attention
What it measures: Ability to suppress distracting information
Task: Indicate direction of a central arrow while ignoring flanking arrows
Age range: 8–18 (validated from age 3+)
Output: Accuracy + reaction time (combined score)

Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Test¶

Domain: Cognitive flexibility (set shifting)
What it measures: Ability to switch between task rules
Task: Sort stimuli by shape or color depending on rule cue
Age range: 8–18
Output: Accuracy + reaction time

2. Working Memory¶

List Sorting Working Memory Test¶

Domain: Working memory
What it measures: Ability to hold and mentally reorder information
Task: Recall and sort visually or auditorily presented items by size
Age range: 8–18
Output: Total correct trials

3. Episodic Memory¶

Picture Sequence Memory Test¶

Domain: Episodic memory
What it measures: Learning and recall of sequential events
Task: Recall the correct order of pictured activities
Age range: 8–18
Output: Longest correctly recalled sequence

4. Language¶

Picture Vocabulary Test¶

Domain: Receptive vocabulary
What it measures: Crystallized language ability
Task: Select picture matching a spoken word
Age range: 8–18
Output: Item Response Theory (IRT) score

Oral Reading Recognition Test¶

Domain: Reading decoding, language
What it measures: Pronunciation and word recognition
Task: Read aloud letters and words of increasing difficulty
Age range: 8–18
Output: IRT score

5. Processing Speed¶

Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test¶

Domain: Processing speed
What it measures: Speed of visual discrimination
Task: Decide quickly whether two visual patterns are the same or different
Age range: 8–18
Output: Number correct within time limit

6. Composite Scores (Derived, Not Separate Tests)¶

The Toolbox automatically computes standardized composite scores, which are particularly useful in research:

Fluid Cognition Composite¶

Includes:

Flanker
DCCS
List Sorting
Picture Sequence Memory
Pattern Comparison

Reflects reasoning, attention, memory, and processing speed.

Crystallized Cognition Composite¶