Neuropsychological Testing & Evaluation

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is like putting pieces of a puzzle together to understand a patient’s concerns. This includes a clinical interview, a review of medical records, the evaluation itself, and putting the pieces together to figure out how all the information fits together.

The doctor talks with you and asks questions about your concerns or worries. If a family member comes with you, they may be asked to share their concerns, if you give permission. The doctor looks through your medical record and any lab work or brain imaging that has already been done. Then you will do several tasks and activities that measure cognitive skills including memory, attention, communication, problem-solving, and emotions. These tests are used to help understand if cognitive changes are related to a neurological illness or injury, a psychological condition like depression or anxiety, or if it is a normal part of aging and development. Doctors can then use that information to help with diagnosis and suggesting treatment recommendations for you, your family, and/or your doctors.

The licensed neuropsychologist oversees the evaluation, including choosing the tests, talking with the patient, and the final report. The tests are administered and scored by a trained technician called a psychometrist. A post-doctoral fellow may also be involved in your appointment. This is a doctor who is currently in training under the supervising neuropsychologist.

The evaluation will take a few hours, but you can take breaks if needed. The tests may use paper and pencil or be on a computer. There will be a lunch break if the evaluation is going to extend into the afternoon.

Preparing for Your Appointment

Get a good night’s sleep.
Try to eat a good breakfast.
Take all of your medications as usual unless you are directly told otherwise by your doctor.
If you use glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids, bring them with you.
If you have had any neuropsychological, psychological, and/or academic testing done before, bring those records with you.
You will need to sign a release form giving the neuropsychologist permission to share your results with any health care provider outside of Cleveland Clinic, so please have their contact information ready.
If a family member comes to the evaluation with you, the neuropsychologist may ask for your permission to also interview them.
If you are sick or not feeling well, call to reschedule your appointment.

Please be aware that the Section of Neuropsychology is unable to conduct academic testing of adults to determine the presence of a specific learning disability or eligibility for academic accommodations for coursework or examinations. Any adult needing academic testing who is currently enrolled should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities or its equivalent at their school. Those who are not currently enrolled should consult a school psychologist in their region. The Section of Neuropsychology is also unable to conduct diagnostic evaluations for ADHD, learning disability, or autism. Please contact the ADHD Center for Evaluation and Treatment or the Center for Autism.

Fellowship Program

The postdoctoral positions within Neuropsychology are designed for individuals who have met the basic academic and training requirements for the doctoral degree in clinical psychology, and have a strong academic and clinical training background in the fundamentals of neuroscience and neuropsychological assessment.

For the full program description, please visit our Psychiatry & Psychology Fellowship page: