Visual Patterns Test
The Visual Patterns Test (Della Sala et al., 1997) measures visuo-spatial short-term memory. Difficulty increases by one filled cell per level, from 2 up to 15 cells; 3 trials per level, fail all 3 to stop.
Intermediate: 3.5 s, up to 12 cells.
A filled pattern appears for 3 seconds — memorize the filled cells. Then the grid clears and you click the cells you remember. Click Submit when you have selected enough cells.
History
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References: Della Sala et al. (1997, 1999); Pickering et al. (2001).
Visual Patterns Test · scientific basis
The Visual Patterns Test was published by Della Sala, Gray, Baddeley & Wilson in 1997 (Thames Valley Test Company), with a companion 1999 Neuropsychologia paper establishing adult norms (N=345).
Expert-mode parameters
These are the standard parameters from the canonical paradigm (used by the "Expert" difficulty).
| Parameter | Standard value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulus | Black/white matrix, half filled | Della Sala 1997 |
| Display time | 3 seconds | Della Sala 1997 |
| Difficulty progression | 2 → 15 cells (2×2 to 5×6) | Della Sala 1997 |
| Trials per level | 3; fail all 3 to stop | Della Sala 1997 |
| Scoring | Span = filled cells in largest passed level | Della Sala 1997 |
Healthy-population norms (by age)
Primary outcome is Pattern Span (filled cells in the largest passed level). Excellent = mean + 1 SD. Adult norms from Della Sala 1999 (n≈100); child bands from Della Sala 2003 (n≈80) and Pickering 2001 developmental data. Assessment mode matches the band to your actual age.
| Age band | Excellent (span) | Mean (span) | SD | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-9 | ~7.8 | ~6.0 | 1.8 | moderate-weak |
| 10-11 | ~8.8 | ~7.0 | 1.8 | moderate-weak |
| 12-13 | ~10.0 | ~8.0 | 2.0 | moderate-weak |
| 14-15 | ~10.9 | ~8.8 | 2.1 | weak (extrapolated) |
| 16-17 | ~11.4 | ~9.2 | 2.2 | weak (extrapolated) |
| 18-24 | ~12.2 | ~10.2 | 2.0 | moderate |
| 25-34 | ~12.1 | ~10.0 | 2.1 | moderate |
| 35-44 | ~11.7 | ~9.5 | 2.2 | moderate |
| 45-54 | ~11.1 | ~8.8 | 2.3 | weak (extrapolated) |
| 55-64 | ~10.3 | ~8.0 | 2.3 | weak (extrapolated) |
| 65+ | ~9.3 | ~7.0 | 2.3 | weak (extrapolated) |
Standard output metrics
- ·Pattern span — Largest level passed (primary)
- ·Errors per level — Fine-grained analysis
- ·Correct-cell proportion — Partial-credit variant
Citations
- Della Sala, S., Gray, C., Baddeley, A. D., & Wilson, L. (1997). Visual Patterns Test. Thames Valley Test Company. search.worldcat.org
- Della Sala, S., Gray, C., Baddeley, A., Allamano, N., & Wilson, L. (1999). Pattern span: A tool for unwelding visuo-spatial memory. Neuropsychologia, 37(10), 1189-1199. DOI
- Pickering, S. J., Gathercole, S. E., Hall, M., & Lloyd, S. A. (2001). Development of memory for pattern and path. Q J Exp Psychol A, 54(2), 397-420. DOI
- Wilson, J. T. L., Scott, J. H., & Power, K. G. (1987). Developmental differences in the span of visual memory for pattern. Br J Dev Psychol, 5(3), 249-255. DOI
All reference ranges come from published peer-reviewed literature. For personal training reference only — not a medical diagnosis. Full methodology: docs/PARADIGMS.md.
This tool is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical diagnosis.