Lucid Ability - Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning

Swift and effective adaptive computerised assessment of verbal and non-verbal skills

Lucid Ability uses enjoyable and stimulating activities to assess verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills in the age range 4 - 16 years.

Easy administration

Lucid Ability is available in three versions, corresponding to the age groups 4 - 8, 7 - 12, and 11 - 16 years. Each test automatically adapts to the child's individual ability level, making assessment very time-efficient and easy to administer. The total assessment time is about 15 - 20 minutes (conventional assessments of equivalent quality can take 2 - 3 times longer).

Suitable for non-readers

For younger children (age 4 - 8 years) verbal ability is assessed by means of a picture vocabulary task, and non-verbal ability by means of a mental rotation game. For older children (age 7 - 16 years) verbal ability is assessed by means of conceptual similarities task, and non-verbal ability by means of a matrix problem-solving task. The tests do not require reading skills as the computer will read aloud any words that appear on-screen if the child wants this. Unlike most other ability tests, the results are independent of reading attainment, and can be used equally well with readers and non-readers.

Instant graphical reports

Results are available imediately, facilitating swift decision-making. Results are presented in a graphical screen display, which can be viewed and printed out immediately. Scores are provided in three forms making it easy for teachers to use.

• Standard scores
• Centile scores
• Age equivalents

An overall measure of General Conceptual Ability (GCA) is also provided; this is based on an amalgamation of scores from the verbal and non-verbal tests and is a useful estimate of general intelligence. An administrator's manual accompanies the program, which explains how to interpret results and thier implications for learning.

Standardisation and validation

Lucid Ability has been developed to the highest psychometric standards. Norms are based on large-scale national standardisations and are built into the program. Lucid Ability has been standardised using a sample of over 2,300 children across the age and ability range. The children were carefully selected from 24 different schools in different parts of the UK, in order to produce norms that are representative of the national population aged 4 - 16 years.

Lucid Ability has been validated against a range of conventional instruments for assessing verbal and non-verbal ability, including Wechler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III), British Ability Scales (Second Edition), British Picture Vocabulary Scale (Second Edition), NfER-Nelson Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests, and the Matrix Analogies Test.