Ages: 5 through 18 years

Testing Time: 40-60 minutes

Description:

The Cognitive Assessment System – Second Edition (CAS2) is a well-researched, norm-referenced measure of cognitive ability based on the cognitive/neuropsychological theory called PASS (Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive). The CAS2 was designed to measure cognitive processing abilities important for a broad range of differential diagnoses and instructional planning in individuals ages 5-0 through 18-11. CAS2 provides practitioners with a valid and reliable tool to evaluate children's strengths and weaknesses in important areas of cognitive processing.

The CAS2 Extended Battery has three subtests in each of the four PASS scales. The Core Battery includes two subtests from each of the four PASS scales. Each PASS scale as well as the CAS2 Full Scale yields a standard score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

Planning – a cognitive process requiring the individual to determine, select, and use a strategy to solve a problem. The subtests require the solving of novel tasks. The three Planning subtests are: Planned Codes, Planned Connections, and Planned Number Matching.

Attention – a cognitive process requiring the individual to selectively attend to a particular stimulus and inhibits attending to competing stimuli. The three Attention subtests are: Expressive Attention, Number Detection, and Receptive Attention.

Simultaneous – a cognitive process involving integrating separate stimuli into a single whole or group. The three Simultaneous subtests are: Matrices, Verbal-Spatial Relations, and Figure Memory.

Successive – a cognitive process requiring the serial ordering of things. The four Successive subtests are: Word Series, Sentence Repetition (ages 5-7) or Sentence Questions (ages 8-18), and Visual Digit Span.

The CAS2 also yields six supplemental composite scores: Executive Function without Working Memory, Executive Function with Working Memory, Working Memory, Verbal Content, Nonverbal Content, and Speed/Fluency. A visual versus auditory comparison is also provided.