Short-term memory tests measure an individual’s ability to store and retrieve information for a short period of time. They are used in medical settings to diagnose memory dysfunction and by companies for candidate screening. Online versions are available for entertainment purposes, but should not be relied upon for accurate results.
A short-term memory test is a test designed to measure an individual’s ability to store and retrieve information for a short period of time. These tests are most commonly used in medical settings to diagnose or determine the extent of memory dysfunction in patients. More recently, however, companies have developed similar tests for candidate screening. Versions of these tests, along with personality and IQ tests, are also available for entertainment purposes on many websites.
When a patient has possible memory dysfunction, the treating physician may perform an informal short-term memory test by asking the patient to recall a series of numbers or letters for a short period of time. This type of test is also often used by emergency medical professionals to quickly assess the possibility of brain injury in trauma victims. Other short projections that include short-term memory functions include the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS). It should be noted that while these tests may show a problem, they shouldn’t be used as the sole basis for any diagnosis.
More formalized assessments often combine a short-term memory test with other assessments and are usually chosen to address the suspected cause of the memory loss. The autobiographical memory interview (AMI), for example, is particularly useful in conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. This test assesses both short-term and long-term memory using questions about the patient’s past experiences.
Another assessment, the Benton Visual Retention Test, is a short-term memory test that measures retention of visual objects. In this test, an individual is shown a series of 10 simple pictures, then asked to draw the pictures from memory. Benton’s test is most useful in patients with brain injuries or with additional language barriers. It is also used to test the visual memory of children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.
In business, a good memory is often considered a key skill. In particular, companies often look for people who can reliably remember lists or numbers to fill data entry and secretarial positions. Therefore, it is not uncommon for an employer to administer a short-term memory test to applicants for these jobs. Still other companies find the trait so essential that it is included in the psychometric tests of all prospective employees.
Memory tests are also very popular in the online community. Often the results of these tests are easily linked to social networking sites and are designed to be competitive. The results of an online short-term memory test should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of the time, these tests are for entertainment purposes only and are not reliable indicators of how well your memory is working.
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