Trail Making Test (TMT): Visual Attention Assessment

The Trail Making Test is a pen-and-paper task that measures visual attention and mental flexibility. Doctors use it to screen for cognitive decline in patients with dementia or brain injury.

Trail Making Test (TMT) neuropsychological assessment PDF form for cognitive testing
TMT

Trail Making Test (TMT)

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a popular neuropsychological tool used to assess visual attention and task-switching speed. By asking patients to connect dots in sequence, this pen-and-paper assessment helps doctors identify cognitive impairments, including dementia and deficits from brain injuries.

Category

Mental health
Diagnostic
Rehabilitation

Disease

Assessment
Mental Health
Geriatrics
Diagnostics

Source

(Reitan, 1955)

Author Name

War Department, Adjutant General's Office (1944)

What is Trail Making Test (TMT)

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a trusted tool for checking brain function. It helps clinicians spot problems with visual attention and mental flexibility. This assessment consists of two distinct parts. Part A asks patients to connect numbers in order, and Part B requires switching between numbers and letters. Scoring relies heavily on the time taken to complete each trail. Faster times usually point to better cognitive performance. Errors are also recorded to check for impulsivity. It measures visual search speed plus executive functioning skills effectively. It is often used to screen for dementia or check recovery after a stroke. The simple paper and pencil format makes it easy to administer in clinics or hospitals. It is a handy way to track changes over time. This test gives valuable insight into a patient's ability to handle complex tasks in daily life.

TMT Scoring

The Trail Making Test can be scored using two main approaches: raw completion time and derived indices. 1. Raw Time: You record the total seconds taken to finish Part A and Part B. Since the examiner corrects errors as they happen, mistakes naturally add to the final time. These results are then compared to age adjusted norms to spot issues. 2. Derived Scores: To isolate mental flexibility from motor speed, clinicians often subtract the Part A time from Part B or look at the ratio. This helps pinpoint specific executive function deficits.

View scoring form

Advantages

Diagnostic accuracy

Enables precise identification of patient health status.

Efficient collection

Streamlines research data gathering process.

Wide applicability

Serves diverse clinical needs effectively.

Global standards

Meets international clinical assessment requirements.

5
Minutes
20
Questions

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