Cognitive Assessment

What is Cognitive Assessment?

A Cognitive Assessment, or as it is often referred to, ‘IQ testing’, is a standardised evaluation used to measure a person’s ability to process and reason with information across various domains. This structured evaluation measures a person’s thinking, learning, and problem-solving abilities, helping to identify how they process information and where their strengths and challenges may lie.

At Approach Psychology, we offer cognitive (IQ) testing for children from 6 years through to adults using the WISC-V and WAIS-5 (from September 2025) and measures of adaptive functioning as required.

Key areas assessed:

• Verbal Comprehension – understanding and using words effectively.
• Visual Spatial – ability to understand and mentally manipulate visual and spatial information.
• Fluid Reasoning – logical thinking, problem solving and deductive reasoning.
• Processing Speed – how quickly they take in and respond to information.
• Working Memory – the ability to hold, manipulate, and retrieve information.

Why should you / your child have a cognitive assessment?

• To understand your / your child’s reasoning style, and intellectual strengths and weaknesses.
• To identify delays in intellectual development.
• To identify giftedness.
• To help identify and understand learning difficulties or delays.
• To support the diagnosis of conditions like ADHD and Autism.

What does the process look like?

The process is structured, collaborative, and tailored to the individual. It typically includes:

Initial Consultation (face to face or telehealth)

• A biopsychosocial interview to explore developmental history, current concerns, medical background, and family context.
• Discussion of goals and expectations.
• Review of school reports, previous assessments, and other relevant documents.
• The initial consultation is predominantly information gathering to ensure that appropriate tests are administered and that any recommendations are individually tailored.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Questionnaires

• Following your initial assessment, your clinician may electronically issue relevant questionnaires and assessments to be completed by each parent/carer/client and, where appropriate, teachers.

Duration: Each questionnaire is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Face-to Face Testing

• Your psychologist will recommend and administer a series of standardised tests, usually the WISC-V or WAIS-5, depending on your / your child’s age.
• Testing is typically completed in the morning to maximise alertness and reduce the risk of mental fatigue influencing the results.
• The duration of testing varies depending on the tests required and child-specific factors such as motivation, alertness and concentration.

Duration: 2 hours plus breaks to maintain maximum effort.

Feedback Session

• A collaborative discussion of findings
• Review of questionnaires completed by the individual, parents and teachers/observers
• Opportunity to ask questions and clarify results
• Recommendations for support, therapy, or accommodations

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Comprehensive Report

• A detailed document summarising the assessment, diagnosis (if applicable), and tailored recommendations.
• Useful for accessing services, school supports, or workplace accommodations and, where applicable, NDIS funding.

What is the cost?

The cost of a Cognitive Assessment is dependent on several factors, including the number of questionnaires, the complexity of the presenting issue, and the specific testing required. At Approach Psychology, our assessments are administered only by Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Registrars who have undertaken specialist and extended university-level training in administering and interpreting Psychometric Assessments.

For a personalised quote, please speak to our friendly reception team on 0478 763 163 or Click Here.