CHC Cognitive Assessment
A cognitive battery built on the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model, the framework behind modern professional test batteries: up to twelve tasks, six broad abilities, one overall score. Choose Quick, Normal or Full.
Table of Contents
CHC Cognitive Assessment
The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory is the most empirically supported and comprehensive model of cognitive abilities. It integrates three major theories of intelligence into a unified hierarchical framework with broad and narrow abilities.
Our CHC battery measures six broad abilities, each with two different tasks, as professional CHC batteries do. You get a profile of your strengths across those abilities as well as one overall score.
Key Insight
CHC theory identifies over 70 narrow abilities organized under broad factors. Research shows these abilities have different developmental trajectories — fluid reasoning peaks in early adulthood while crystallized intelligence continues growing throughout life.
What Makes This Test Different
Tasks that adapt to you: most start easy, get harder and stop by themselves when the items get too hard. Practice items with feedback before every task, and a profile across six broad abilities. No registration needed.
6 Broad Abilities
Each broad ability is measured by two different tasks
Fluid Reasoning (Gf)
Figure matrices and rule deduction with new, unfamiliar material
Comprehension-Knowledge (Gc)
Vocabulary and verbal analogies (English only for now)
Visual Processing (Gv)
Assembling shapes from pieces and turning cube figures in your mind
Learning Efficiency (Gl)
Learning new symbol-picture pairs and recalling them later
Processing Speed (Gs)
Simple matching tasks done as fast as possible against the clock
Working Memory (Gwm)
Digits heard once, squares seen once: held and reproduced in order
Four Simple Steps
From about 10 minutes (Quick) to 60–75 minutes (Full)
Select Gender
Choose your gender. It does not change your score
Answer Questions
Work through 3, 6 or 12 short tasks, each with practice items first
Get Your Score
See where you stand straight away; your exact score, percentile and full report are one payment, no subscription.
View Profile
Explore your detailed cognitive profile and download your certificate
How the CHC Cognitive Assessment Is Scored
The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory represents the most widely accepted and comprehensive framework for understanding human intelligence. Developed through decades of factor-analytic research, the CHC model describes a general ability at the top, about eight to ten broad abilities below it, and many narrow abilities under those.
Our battery measures six broad abilities, each with two tasks that tap different narrow abilities: Fluid Reasoning (Gf), Comprehension-Knowledge (Gc), Visual Processing (Gv), Working Memory (Gwm), Learning Efficiency (Gl) and Processing Speed (Gs). The word tasks for Comprehension-Knowledge are available in English only for now; in other languages the battery has ten tasks and five broad abilities.
Each task gives a raw score that is converted to a scaled score; the two tasks of an ability form its cluster score, and all tasks together form the overall score (mean 100, SD 15). While our norms are being built from completed tests, scores are estimates.
The CHC model underpins modern clinical assessments including the Stanford-Binet Fifth Edition (SB5) and the Wechsler scales. If you'd like a quicker general assessment, our standard free IQ test takes just 20 minutes, or try our Mensa-style test for a high-ceiling pattern recognition challenge.
IQ Score Ranges
Scores follow a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15
Who Should Take the CHC Cognitive Assessment
The CHC Cognitive Assessment is the ideal choice for anyone seeking the most comprehensive free cognitive evaluation available online. If you want more than just a single IQ number — a full map of your cognitive abilities — this is the test for you.
This assessment is especially valuable for:
- Psychology students studying the CHC model who want to experience a Cattell-Horn-Carroll assessment firsthand
- Professionals in cognitive science looking for a free tool that measures six broad abilities with two tasks each, from fluid reasoning to processing speed
- Lifelong learners who want to understand their full cognitive profile — not just where they're strong, but precisely how they process information
- Educators and coaches seeking insights into cognitive processing patterns to inform learning strategies and professional development
For a quicker assessment, our standard free IQ test covers 5 domains in 20 minutes. The Stanford-Binet test uses the gold standard methodology, while our MoCA screening focuses specifically on cognitive health indicators.
Choose Your Assessment
Each test offers a unique perspective on cognitive ability
Free IQ Test
Take the Free IQ Test →Fast & Accurate IQ Test
Try the Fast & Accurate IQ Test →Mensa-Style Test
Take the Mensa-Style IQ Test →Stanford-Binet
Try the Stanford-Binet IQ Test →CHC Assessment
Current TestMoCA Screening
Take the MoCA Screening →WAIS Test
Take the WAIS Intelligence Test →Frequently Asked Questions
Our CHC battery measures six broad cognitive abilities from the Cattell-Horn-Carroll model. The Full version has twelve tasks, two per ability, as professional CHC batteries do; Normal has one task per ability, and Quick has three tasks for one overall score. The items are our own and get harder as you go. While our norms are being built from completed tests, treat your scores as estimates. No online test replaces a full clinical evaluation by a licensed psychologist.
You choose: Quick takes about 10 minutes, Normal about 25 minutes and Full 60–75 minutes, a little less in languages without the word tasks. Plan it in one sitting without interruptions; in the Full version, one task near the end checks what you learned at the start.
No registration is needed and the test is free to take: you see where you stand (your score range) right after the last question. Your exact score, percentile, full report and certificate are one optional payment, with no subscription and no hidden fees.
Right after the last question you see where you stand: your score range on the IQ scale and your broad abilities ranked from strongest to weakest. Your exact score, percentile and full report are one payment, no subscription.
Yes, you can retake any test. We recommend waiting at least 1-2 weeks between attempts to ensure reliable results and minimize practice effects from question familiarity.
Related reading & comparisons
CHC compared to other tests
What every IQ score actually means
References
- McGrew, K. S. (2009). CHC theory and the human cognitive abilities project: Standing on the shoulders of the giants of psychometric intelligence research. Intelligence, 37(1), 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.intell.2008.08.004
- Neisser, U., Boodoo, G., Bouchard, T. J., Jr., et al. (1996). Intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. American Psychologist, 51(2), 77–101. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.51.2.77
- Raven, J. (2000). The Raven’s Progressive Matrices: Change and stability over culture and time. Cognitive Psychology, 41(1), 1–48. doi:10.1006/cogp.1999.0735