What a cognitive assessment measures
Most cognitive assessments use one of the Wechsler scales. The WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) is designed for school-aged children and the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) for older teenagers and adults. Both are a series of short tasks: answering questions, solving puzzles, remembering sequences and working quickly on simple tasks.
Results are grouped into areas such as:
- Verbal reasoning: understanding and explaining ideas in words
- Visual and non-verbal reasoning: seeing patterns and solving new problems
- Working memory: holding information in mind while using it
- Processing speed: how quickly and accurately routine tasks are done
Why people have a cognitive assessment
- A child is finding school hard, or seems to be working well below or above what is expected
- A school, GP or paediatrician has asked for a cognitive profile
- It forms part of a learning, ADHD or autism assessment
- An adult is returning to study or changing careers and wants to understand how they learn
- An intellectual disability question needs a formal assessment
Memory concerns are a little different. If you or a family member has noticed changes in memory, see your GP first, as some causes are medical and need checking. Your GP can then talk with you about whether a cognitive assessment would help.
What a score does, and doesn't, tell you
A cognitive assessment gives an overall score, but the pattern underneath usually matters more. Two people with the same overall score can have very different profiles, and a large gap between areas often explains why some tasks feel easy and others exhausting.
Scores are a snapshot of one day. Sleep, anxiety, illness and motivation can all affect them, and your psychologist takes that into account. Your report explains each result in plain language, with recommendations for school, study or work.
What happens, step by step
- Get in touch. Call us or send the form on this page. We talk about the question you'd like answered and confirm the estimated cost.
- Intake (about 2 hours). Your psychologist gathers background on development, schooling, health and the reason for the assessment. This can often be done by video.
- Testing (about 3 hours). Testing with the WISC or WAIS is done in person at Springfield Central or The Gap, with breaks.
- Scoring and report. Your psychologist scores and interprets the results and writes the report. They give you a timeline at intake.
- Feedback (about 1 hour). You go through the results and recommendations together and receive the written report.
Your psychologist confirms the estimated cost with you before testing begins.
Fee guide and MediPay payment plans
Assessments are charged at $230 per hour (as of July 2026). The guide fee below is an estimate; the actual cost depends on what is needed, and your psychologist confirms it with you before starting.
| Assessment | Usually includes | Guide fee |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive assessment | 2-hour intake, 3 hours of testing (for example WISC or WAIS), scoring and report, 1-hour feedback | $2,100 |
Medicare doesn't cover assessments at Psych Connect.
Flexible payment plans are available through MediPay (eligibility applies).
Payment plans are provided by MediPay Holdings Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 474336), not Psych Connect. Applications are subject to MediPay's credit assessment criteria. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
All our fees are on the fees page.
Getting ready for testing day
- Get a good night's sleep and eat beforehand; bring a snack and a drink
- Bring glasses or hearing aids if they're used
- Take any usual medicine as prescribed, unless your doctor advises otherwise
- For children: explain that it's puzzles and questions with someone friendly, and there's nothing to pass or fail
Testing takes about three hours, with breaks. Tell us if a different time of day suits you or your child better.
Exam adjustments for senior students
For senior exams, Queensland students can apply for access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA), such as extra time or rest breaks. Under the QCAA handbook (section 6.4.5, updated January 2026), for Units 3 and 4 the documents for a long-term condition must be dated no earlier than 1 January of the year the student is in Year 10. If the diagnosis was made earlier, an update is needed, not a whole new assessment, and the update can also come from a GP or another relevant professional. The report must state the diagnosis, the date it was made and how the condition affects the student in timed assessment, and it can't come from a practitioner employed by the school.
If your child already has a report from before Year 10, ask us about an update. The school's AARA contact decides what is approved. QCAA handbook, section 6.4.
Who does the assessment
Cognitive assessments are done by one of our two assessing psychologists, who also explain the results to you in plain language.
Dr Sirous Momenzadeh (Clinical Psychologist)
Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist
PhD, MPsych (Clin)
More than 19 years of practice across public and private settings. His clinical focus includes trauma and PTSD, and the assessment of ADHD and autism in adolescents and adults.
Psychologist with an endorsement in clinical psychology (Psychology Board of Australia). AHPRA registration number PSY0000965905.
Farah Sobhanian (Psychologist)
Registered Psychologist
BA Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology
More than 18 years in mental health with individuals, couples and families. She completes ADHD assessments and works with anxiety, trauma, grief and loss.
Psychologist with general registration (Psychology Board of Australia). AHPRA registration number PSY0001260612.
Read their full profiles on our team page.
Where: Springfield Central, The Gap or telehealth
- Springfield Central: inside Springfield Doctors, in the Ipswich region.
- The Gap: inside The Gap Village Doctors, in Brisbane's north-west.
- Telehealth: the intake and feedback sessions can often be done by secure video; the cognitive testing itself is done in person.
Not every practitioner works at every clinic on every day, so when you call we'll let you know who is available where. Both clinics are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; for Saturdays, please call to check.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call 0410 029 886, or see all our assessments.