Open-Access Cognitive Assessment Tools for Children and Adolescents¶
Comprehensive batteries: Several multi-domain test batteries are freely available for research. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) covers ages 3–85 and includes tasks for attention, episodic memory, language (oral reading and vocabulary), working memory, executive function, and processing speed . It runs on an iPad (participant and examiner app) and is freely downloadable for research use (NIH Toolbox website). The Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (Penn CNB) (ages ~8–21) measures executive function, episodic memory, complex cognition, and social cognition through 12 game-like tasks (combining accuracy and speed) . It is a desktop/computer battery developed by the University of Pennsylvania; tests and data collection materials are available for research at no cost (contact CNB group). Another broad suite is the Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) test battery . PEBL is free open-source software (GPL-licensed) offering ~100 cognitive tests (for Windows/Mac/Linux) including Stroop, Digit Span, Wisconsin Card Sorting, Trail-Making, memory span, and many custom tasks . PEBL can be deployed on a desktop or laptop (and thus remotely if installed on participant machines).
Attention and executive function: Several free tools focus on attention and executive control. The Computerized Attention Measure (CAM) battery is a new web-based test suite for pre-adolescents (≈10–12 years) . CAM includes eight tasks (Stroop, Flanker, Go/No‑Go, selective/divided attention, sustained visual and auditory attention, working memory, and visuomotor coordination) and was built in jsPsych. Its code and materials are openly shared on GitLab , enabling browser-based deployment in schools or home settings. Similarly, the ANTI-Vea/Attentional Network Test platform is a free online tool (ANTI-Vea-UGR) for measuring the three Posner attention networks (alerting, orienting, executive) plus vigilance . Available in multiple languages, the ANTI-Vea site runs in a web browser and allows researchers to adapt timing for different populations (including children) . This platform supports unsupervised remote testing with automated data collection.
Memory and processing speed: A gamified option is FarmApp (Ng-Cordell et al., 2022) , a touchscreen app designed for children/adolescents (≈5–18 years) with or without neurodevelopmental challenges. FarmApp offers three game-like tasks (“Sheep”, “Chicken”, and a Memory game) that tap low-level and higher-level processes: go/no-go speed, response inhibition, visuospatial short-term memory span, and simple recognition memory . Participants can self-administer FarmApp at home on a tablet (data upload for remote scoring); the app design emphasizes minimal verbal instructions and adaptive difficulty.
Cognitive ability (IQ): For fluid intelligence and reasoning, the International Cognitive Ability Resource (ICAR) is an open-source collection of test items. ICAR contains public-domain matrix reasoning, verbal analogy, and number-series items covering a wide range of difficulty . The core ICAR battery is suitable for ages ~14+, while a separate Children’s ICAR (Ch-ICAR) version has been validated for roughly 8–14 year-olds. The ICAR tests are available free for research (via registration on the ICAR project site) and can be administered on any computer or web platform.
Each of the above tools provides documentation or source code links. Most are validated in peer-reviewed studies (cited above) and are specifically designed to be used outside the clinic. Table 1 compares their age ranges, domains, platforms, and availability.
Comparative Summary of Key Tools¶
| Tool / Battery | Target Age | Domains Covered | Platform / Deployment | Availability / Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIH Toolbox Cognition (NIHTB-CB) | 8–15 (full 3–85) | Attention; episodic & working memory; language; executive; processing speed | iPad app (participant/examiner system); 10–15 min subtests | Free download (NIHToolbox.org); norms available; validated remote (participant/examiner app) |
| Penn CNB (Neurocognitive Battery) | ~8–21 (studied) | Executive function; episodic memory; complex reasoning; social cognition | Desktop computer (originally Flash-based); lab or web via secured server | Free for research (University of Pennsylvania); normative data from large youth samples |
| PEBL Test Battery (Psychology) | ~8+ (general) | Attention (Stroop); processing speed (TMT, symbol digit); memory span (digit/Corsi); WM (n‑back, OSPAN); others | Stand-alone software (Windows/Mac/Linux); tests exchanged freely | Open source (GPL); download via PEBL site. Widely cited in research. |
| CAM (Computerized Attention Measure) | ≈10–12 | Inhibitory control (Stroop, Flanker, Go/No-Go); selective/divided & sustained attention; working memory; visuomotor coordination | Web browser (jsPsych-based) | Code and tasks on GitLab; described and validated in Frontiers (Pinelli et al. 2025) . |
| ANTI-Vea (ANT Platform) | 6+ (adaptable) | Alerting, orienting, executive attention (network tests); vigilance/arousal | Web-based platform (ANTI-Vea-UGR website) | Free online at anti-vea.ugr.es(multi-language; researcher dashboard and data export provided). |
| FarmApp (Gamified) | ≈5–18 | Response inhibition (go/no-go); processing speed; visuospatial short-term memory; item recognition memory | Tablet app (Android/iPad) with remote monitoring (child and researcher modes) | Published open-access (Brkić et al. 2022); investigators can request the app for research use. |
| ICAR (Cognitive Ability) | 8–18 (Ch-ICAR); 14+ (ICAR) | Non-verbal matrix reasoning; verbal analogies; number series (general IQ) | Web-based or any platform (items are public domain) | Public-domain test items (details at icar-project.com); open-source brief batteries with published norms. |
Each tool above has been used in published research or reviews, and can be administered remotely via web or tablet. In particular, CAM and ANTI-Vea are explicitly web-browser tasks , FarmApp and NIHTB-P/E work on tablets with remote connectivity, and PEBL or Penn CNB can be run on standalone computers. All listed batteries are free for non-commercial research use, with links or references given for access.
Sources: We cite original publications and documentation for each tool . These sources describe the tool’s content, age range, validity, and deployment mode.