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Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS)

Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS) Test

Understand how often attention, memory, and thinking issues affect you in about 5 minutes. 24 quick items give a clear snapshot to help decide if further support may be needed.

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Questions: 245 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

19045 views

2093 completions

1749 likes

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

63/96

Cognitive Difficulties (CD)

Measures the severity of self-reported cognitive difficulties such as attention, memory, and thinking problems.

Within typical range

Elevated cognitive difficulties

0 – 42: Within typical range | 43 – 96: Elevated cognitive difficulties

A score of 63 falls in the Elevated cognitive difficulties range, indicating more frequent or pronounced cognitive complaints on this screening scale.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Noticing memory slips

41%OF USERS

People who have started forgetting things, losing focus, or feeling mentally slower and want a quick check of how often it happens.

Recovering after illness

34%OF USERS

People in rehabilitation after events like concussion, stroke, severe infection, or surgery who want to track attention and thinking changes over time.

Under high stress or burnout

25%OF USERS

People with heavy workload, anxiety, depression, or sleep problems who feel their concentration and clarity have worsened and want an initial self-assessment.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

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AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Cognitive Impairment Scale (CIS)

Average

30.8

Normal range

17.8 — 43.8

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this scale measure?

It measures the frequency of perceived difficulties in attention, memory, thinking, and related everyday cognitive tasks. It is intended as an initial screen rather than a diagnostic evaluation.

Who can complete it?

It can be completed by adults who can read and understand the items and reflect on recent functioning. It may be used in clinical, rehabilitation, or psychological settings for monitoring over time.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 24 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Responses are based on how often each difficulty occurs.

Is any preparation required before completing it?

No special preparation is required. The items should be answered in a single sitting, based on typical recent experience.

How should results be interpreted?

Higher scores generally indicate more frequent cognitive complaints and may suggest the need for further assessment. Results should be considered alongside clinical history and other findings.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

McNair and Kahn Cognitive Dysfunction Scale, CDS Test

Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS) Test

geriatrics

Cognitive functioning is often evaluated through structured self-report of everyday lapses in attention, memory, and related mental tasks. The Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS) is a brief questionnaire designed to capture an individual’s perceived frequency of common cognitive difficulties.

The measure includes 24 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Respondents rate how often they experience problems such as forgetfulness, reduced concentration, or slowed thinking; results are generally used as an initial indicator of perceived cognitive burden and may help guide decisions about further clinical evaluation or monitoring. The Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS) was developed by Kahn and McNair.

Author: Kahn, R., McNair, D.

Literature: McNair, D. M., & Kahn, R. J. Self-assessment of cognitive deficits. In T. Crook, S. Ferris, & R. Bartus (Eds.), Assessment in geriatric psychopharmacology. Mark Powley Associates. 1983.

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