A working memory test is a simple test that helps determine how effective the brain is at processing information. The test is commonly administered to young children and adults who have mental conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia, or who have had a stroke. During the working memory test, the individual is presented with a list of numbers, colors, or words and then asked to recall as much information as possible. The more information the individual can remember, the higher the intelligence of the individual.
Sometimes referred to as short-term memory, working memory is responsible for cognition, information storage, and information retrieval. This area of the brain develops during childhood and gradually increases through adulthood. According to studies, people who do well on a working memory test tend to be better at problem solving, learn faster, and have higher general and social intelligence.
Basically, there are three parts of the brain that are responsible for information processing, and each part is responsible for a different type of information. The central executive area is responsible for the care that is required for information storage and information retrieval. The visual-spatial sketchpad (VSSP) is responsible for storing and retrieving visual and spatial images, and the phonological loop (PL) helps with speaking and remembering words and sentences.
Visual images, shapes, and colored squares on a grid can help assess the VSSP, and a list of words or sentences can help assess the PL. A working memory test typically starts at a low level, where only a short list of names, numbers, or blocks is provided, and is then gradually increased to assess how much the individual can remember. These tests are often programmed on a computer to make them easy and convenient for anyone to take.
Neuroscience suggests that the brain can remember only a short list of about seven items. However, an effective brain is able to classify those seven items into various groups and store them in two or three parts, leaving additional room for more information. In some cases, the brain might also store the information in long-term memory and still quickly retrieve it when needed.
Studies have indicated that a working memory can be improved at any age, as long as the individual has the mind to participate in memory training. Mental exercises such as memorizing names, chunking information together, and memory games can help stimulate and increase memory. People who are enthusiastic about their training also tend to do better on a working memory test than those who consider it mundane.