Cognitive Processing Speed is the ability to perform cognitive tasks, particularly when measured under pressure to maintain focused attention. How fast information can be acted upon or retrieved impacts how quickly any mental task can be performed. Faster processing speeds generally means that learning is more efficient and faster.
A student whose test behavior suggests specific processing speed deficits may have difficulty understanding lengthy directions or lectures, completing reading or written assignments in a timely fashion, and completing any tests or assignments under timed conditions, especially those involving extensive retrieval or organization of information. Unless concentration and memory skills are particularly strong, processing speed deficits may also impact negatively on other academic skills which exceed this student’s duration of concentration and memory capabilities, e.g., algebraic calculations, computer programming and even tests or assignments which are not timed.
In daily life, depending on the severity of the processing speed deficit, there may be problems in taking phone messages, understanding news on the radio, driving skills and any tasks involving rapid hand-eye coordination (e.g. sports, video games).
It may be necessary to use compensatory strategies (e.g. audio taping for note taking) for functional academic purposes.
The Gibson Test currently presents 50 groups of numbers or letters and the student must identify the pair within each group as quickly as possible. About one third of the questions are single digit, one third contain two digits and one third contain three digits. To make the test language neutral, we plan to convert to graphics the first part of 2013. Students will have to find the pairs of like-kind symbols.