Neurocognitive assessment (neuropsychological testing or cognitive testing) is an examination of cognitive processes, the individual's ability to "think". This type of examination is used to determine changes in thought and emotion processes that result from neurological disorders or trauma.
Cognitive testing is often essential to determine the effects of neurological disorders. The examination is performed by a clinical psychologist. The exam consists of a series of cognitive tasks that appeal to the patient's attention, memory, verbal abilities, as well as perception, motor functions and emotional state.