Cognitive assessment (IQ)
Cognitive Assessment (IQ)
Explore your cognitive strengths and difficulties through comprehensive, standardised assessment of intellectual functioning and cognitive abilities.
understanding cognition
What is cognitive assessment?
A cognitive assessment provides a detailed picture of how a person thinks, reasons, processes information and solves problems. Rather than producing only a single IQ score, it examines different areas of cognitive functioning to identify patterns of strengths and difficulties.
Depending on age and the reason for assessment, this may include verbal reasoning, visual-spatial skills, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed. Results are interpreted in the context of the person's developmental, educational and clinical history.
Cognitive assessment can help answer a specific question, contribute to broader diagnostic assessment, or provide a clearer understanding of the way an individual approaches learning and everyday cognitive demands.
FINDING answers
Is cognitive assessment for you?
Cognitive assessment can be useful across childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It may be recommended when there are questions about:
Overall intellectual or cognitive functioning
Patterns of cognitive strengths and difficulties
Giftedness or advanced cognitive ability
Unexpected difficulty with particular cognitive tasks
Working memory or processing speed
Developmental or intellectual disability
Supporting diagnostic or educational decision-making
Understanding changes or concerns in cognitive functioning
assessment approach
How we assess cognition
Cognitive assessment uses carefully standardised measures selected according to the person's age and the question being investigated. Testing is administered individually, with results interpreted alongside relevant background and clinical information.
Clinical and Developmental History
Standardised Cognitive Assessment
Analysis of Cognitive Strengths and Difficulties
Comparison of Abilities Across Cognitive Domains
Integrated Clinical Interpretation
YOUR assessment
What to expect
Initial Consultation
We begin by discussing the reason for assessment, relevant history and the particular questions you would like the assessment to answer.
Feedback
We will take you through the findings, explain their significance in straightforward language and discuss any recommendations or appropriate next steps.
Assessment Session
Cognitive testing is completed individually using standardised tasks. The length of the session varies according to age, the assessment required and individual needs, with breaks provided where appropriate.
Interpretation & Report
Results are analysed to understand not simply individual scores, but the pattern across different cognitive abilities and what that pattern may mean in everyday life.
more than an IQ score
Why cognitive assessment matters
Understanding the Profile
A single overall score can conceal important differences between cognitive abilities. Examining the pattern of results can reveal areas of relative strength as well as abilities that may require greater effort.
Putting Results in Context
Test scores do not exist in isolation. Results are interpreted alongside developmental, educational and clinical information to understand what they mean for the individual being assessed.
Informing what Happens Next
A well-interpreted cognitive assessment can contribute to educational planning, diagnostic decision-making and practical recommendations. The aim is not simply to generate scores, but to produce information that is genuinely useful.
Common questions
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Yes. Standardised cognitive assessments can provide an overall estimate of intellectual functioning. However, the overall score is only one part of the assessment. Andrew also examines the pattern across different cognitive abilities, which can sometimes be more informative than the overall score alone.
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The length of testing depends on age, the assessment being used and the reason for referral. Most cognitive assessments involve a dedicated testing session, with breaks where needed. The expected time will be discussed with you before the assessment.
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Differences between cognitive abilities are common and can be clinically meaningful. Andrew considers whether differences between scores are significant, how unusual the pattern is, and whether it helps explain difficulties experienced in everyday life, school or work.
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No. Cognitive assessment examines abilities such as reasoning, working memory and processing speed. Educational assessment examines academic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics. Depending on the referral question, the two may sometimes be used together.
BEGIN YOUR assessment
Have a question to answer?
An initial consultation helps us understand the reason for assessment and determine whether cognitive testing is the appropriate next step.