Which instrument is a measure of cognitive ability?

• A. CoGAT
• B. MAB
• C. SCL-90-R
• D. BASC

Answer: (A)

Cognitive ability refers to how we think, reason, and solve problems—the underlying mental processes like pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and quick information processing. A true cognitive-ability measure focuses on these abilities rather than learned knowledge or emotional/behavioral functioning. The CoGAT is designed for this purpose, spanning verbal reasoning, nonverbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning to gauge general reasoning capacity. That focus on how a person thinks and solves problems is why it’s the best fit as a measure of cognitive ability. The other instruments assess different constructs: the SCL-90-R screens for psychological symptoms, the BASC evaluates behavior and emotional functioning, and the remaining option isn’t typically used to measure cognitive ability.