1. TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION 1
Test of Variables of Attention
Elizabeth Wolf
Lynn University

2. TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION 2
“The Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A) ia a computerized test of attention
that assists in screening, diagnosing, and treatment monitoring of attention disorders. Its
an objective, neurophysiological measure of attention and not an subjective measure of
behavior” (2009). The T.O.V.A uses geometric stimuli and contains two test conditions.
“The T.O.V.A immediately analyzes the results quarter by quarter and provides written
interpretation and graphics” (2009). The T.O.V.A is dedicated to establishing an
empirically based model of clinical assessment that assimilates various resources of
information in clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring through workshops.
There are two versions of the T.O.V.A which different two different sets of
people use; the clinical version is used by. Licensed clinicians to aid them in precisely
diagnosing and treating attention disorders use one. The second version is the screening
version, which is used, in non-clinical situations like schools.
“The T.O.V.A. is 21.8 minutes long test, Variables measured T.O.V.A. measures
include variability of response time (consistency), response time, commission
(impulsivity), errors of omission (inattention), post-commission response times, multiple
and anticipatory responses, and an ADHD score, which is a comparison to an age/gender
specific ADHD group” (The Tova Company, 2009). The TOVA should never be used
alone when diagnosing a person with ADD or ADHD, comprehensive questionnaires and
clinical histories should be taking and used along with it. In my experience I filled out
questionnaires such as; prior/present medications, prior attempts to fix the problem(s),
psychiatric history, general symptom check list, brain system check list, learning
disability screening questionnaire, medical review of the systems, mood and attention

3. TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION 3
questionnaires, neuropsychiatric system check list, a clinical history, interview, the
TOVA, and a SPECT scan (one at rest and one concentrating). Once they complied all
these information and compared it to each other and found the similarities and differences
the diagnosis could be made.
Scoring of the TOVA is as follows; “Response Time Variability: A time
measurement of how consistently the micro switch is pressed. Response Time: A time
measurement of how fast or slow information is processed and responded to. d’ Signal
Detection: A time measurement of how fast performance drops. Commission Errors: A
measure of impulsivity: how many times the non-target is pressed. Omission Errors: A
measure of inattention: how many times is the target not pressed. Post-Commission
Response Time: A time measurement of how fast or slow a response is after a
commission Error. Multiple Responses: A measure of how many times the button is
pressed repeatedly. (Indicator of other problems) Anticipatory Responses: A time
measurement how often a person is guessing rather than responding” ("Test of variables,"
2012). When looking at my scoring of the TOVA I gave atypical fast responses
accompanied by a large number of commission errors, which indicates impulsivity. The
commission errors indicated impulsive responding and difficulty with inhibiting
responses, also indicating poor attention to tasks. I was highly inconsistent in responding
to the stimuli indicating inattentiveness. I also showed unusual change in response
consistency depending on the length of time between stimuli, which indicates problems
with attention, and arousal.
ADD and ADHD have three diagnosable subtypes; classic ADHD, inattentive
type, and combined “ The T.O.V.A test can test for each of these subtypes of ADHD.

4. TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION 4
When the subject responds to a "non-target" it is noted as an error of commission, or
impulsive. During the second half of the test, the inability for the subject to inhibit
himself or herself is measured (error of omission). If the subject responds too frequently,
they may be diagnosed with the hyperactivity type. If the subject displays both types of
errors (commission and omission), they may be diagnosed with the combined type of
ADHD” ("Test of variables," 2012). According to the TOVA, questionnaires, and clinical
history I have ADHD combined type, which means that I have low prefrontal cortex
activity when concentrating and low cerebellar activity when concentrating. Its like my
brain shuts down when I try to concentrate when it’ssupposed to be active and alert,
while my resting scan was “hot” indicting a lot of brain activity when actually in a
healthy human brain you wouldn’t see many “hot” spots because the brain is at rest.

5. TEST OF VARIABLES OF ATTENTION 5
References
(2009). Retrieved from http://www.tovatest.com/
Test of variables of attention. (2012, aug 27). Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_of_Variables_of_Attention
The Tova Company. (2009). About the t.o.v.a.. Retrieved from
http://www.tovatest.com/about-the-t-o-v-a/