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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Cogn Behav Neurol. 2013 Jun;26(2):63–72. doi: 10.1097/WNN.0b013e31829d5c74

TABLE 2.

Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT): Methods and Interpretation of Scoring for Select Measures in This Study

Measure Method of Scoring Interpretation of Score
Total correct Number of correct responses Traditional measure
Total dyads Correct responses after ≥1 other correct response Extent to which participants continue to hold PASAT digits in working memory while calculating sums, ie, performing the test according to instructions. A higher score indicates better working memory.
Total chunking Correct responses after a skipped response A cognitive strategy for reducing required working memory and attentional workload. A higher score indicates poorer working memory.
Total “other” responses Correct responses after an incorrect response (ie, total correct responses not considered dyads or chunking) This score reflects an attempt to perform the task correctly, meaning that the task is more taxing on working memory and attentional processes than with chunking.
Dyads as % of total correct responses
TotalcorrectdyadscoreTotalcorrectscore×100
Proportion of total correct responses accounted for by dyads.
Chunking as % of total correct responses
TotalcorrectchunkingscoreTotalcorrectscore×100
Proportion of total correct responses accounted for by chunking.
Cognitive fatigue Yes, if participants made fewer correct responses in 2nd half of a trial than in 1st half.
No, if correct responses in 2nd half equal or exceed those in 1st half
Cognitive fatigue suggests inability to sustain attention while engaging working memory over course of a trial.