Executive abilities are skills that govern how a person can adapt to changing information, and form and implement goals. Testing for this skill can include problem-solving puzzles, pattern recognition and sequencing or the breaking down of a larger task into steps. This area also utilizes emotional control and empathy testing such as those emulated in multiple choice ethics tests found on some job applications in which applicants are asked to rate the rightness or wrongness of a person's actions in a given situation.
These tests require that a series of motions be performed to gauge the person's ability to control their motor functions and assess their visual and spatial perceptions. Typical tests show different geometric shapes asking which is closer or appears larger.
Vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension and word choice tests all measure reasoning, language and logic skills. Often, many of these tests are performed aurally to gauge auditory learning and comprehension skills.
Memory tests seek to understand the short-term and long-term memory skills of an individual. These tests also gauge a person's memory style, such as whether it is easier for him to memorize symbols, meanings, patterns or words. This reveals whether he learns better visually, aurally or through literal instruction.
Information processing tests often give the person information about a task or situation and then present them with a hypothetical occurrence in which they must choose the best response based upon what they know. Like memory tests, these tests seek to understand learning styles but also test for flexibility of thinking, attention span, and decision-making skills.