T.O.V.A. Test for ADHD – Objective Attention Testing at Poliklinika Golden Mind
At Poliklinika Golden Mind in Zagreb, we offer T.O.V.A. testing (Test of Variables of Attention) – a standardized computerized test that objectively assesses attention and inhibitory control.
T.O.V.A. was developed in the United States and is used in clinical practice and research institutions around the world. The system has been the subject of extensive scientific research and is referenced in numerous professional and scientific publications.
At Poliklinika Golden Mind, we use T.O.V.A. 9 – the latest version of the T.O.V.A. system.
T.O.V.A. testing can be an important part of ADHD testing and comprehensive ADHD assessment in children, adolescents, and adults. It is important to emphasize that T.O.V.A. alone neither establishes nor rules out an ADHD diagnosis.
What is the T.O.V.A. test?
T.O.V.A. (Test of Variables of Attention) belongs to a group of continuous performance tests (CPT – Continuous Performance Test). It enables objective measurement of how a person sustains attention and controls their responses during a simple, monotonous task.
Unlike ADHD questionnaires, which are based on an assessment of symptoms, T.O.V.A. records a person’s actual performance during attention testing.
The test is nonverbal and does not require reading, calculation, or any specific prior knowledge. Simple visual stimuli appear on a screen, and the person uses a special response button to react to the target stimulus while withholding a response when a non-target stimulus appears.
The T.O.V.A. system records responses with a high degree of precision throughout the test.
What does the T.O.V.A. test measure?
T.O.V.A. testing analyzes various measures of attention and response control, including:
- Response time – how quickly a person responds to target stimuli
- Response time variability – how consistent performance is throughout the test
- Omission errors – failing to respond to a target stimulus
- Commission errors – responding when no response should have been made, which may be associated with difficulties in inhibitory control and impulsivity.
The results are compared with appropriate normative data and provide additional information about patterns of attentional functioning.
How long does T.O.V.A. testing take?
The standard T.O.V.A. test takes 21.6 minutes, with additional time needed for instructions and a practice session. Approximately 30 minutes should therefore be allowed for the entire procedure.
A shorter version is used for younger children, in accordance with their age and the administration guidelines of the T.O.V.A. system.
The test is deliberately simple and monotonous. This type of task allows the ability to sustain attention and the consistency of responses to be monitored over time.
Who is T.O.V.A. testing for?
T.O.V.A. testing can be administered to children, adolescents, and adults, particularly when there are symptoms of, or suspected, ADHD or other attention difficulties.
The T.O.V.A. test may be useful:
- As part of an ADHD assessment for adults
- As part of ADHD testing for children and adolescents
- For difficulties with concentration and sustained attention
- As an additional objective assessment when the clinical picture is not entirely clear
- In certain cases, to monitor changes in attention during treatment.
When is T.O.V.A. testing not recommended?
Test results may be affected by various factors that temporarily alter attention, alertness, or response speed.
Before testing, it is important to inform the clinician if the person is severely sleep-deprived or exhausted, acutely ill, has visual or other difficulties that could significantly interfere with test performance, or is taking medication or other substances that may affect attention and response time.
Do not stop prescribed medication on your own before T.O.V.A. testing. If testing without medication or a comparison of results before and during treatment is needed, this decision is made by a doctor.
What information does a T.O.V.A. report provide?
The T.O.V.A. test provides objective data on attentional performance and inhibitory control, allowing the results to be compared with normative values.
The report gives the clinician additional information that can be considered alongside the person’s history, symptoms, clinical examination , and the results of psychological or neuropsychological assessment.
Can the T.O.V.A. test confirm ADHD?
T.O.V.A. does not establish an ADHD diagnosis on its own.
There is no single test that can simply confirm or rule out ADHD. An ADHD diagnosis is based on a comprehensive professional assessment, which includes a clinical interview, an assessment of symptoms and their impact on daily functioning, developmental history, and, where indicated, psychological and neuropsychological testing.
For this reason, at Poliklinika Golden Mind, we use T.O.V.A. as an additional objective diagnostic tool as part of ADHD testing and assessment for children, adolescents, and adults.
T.O.V.A. results are always interpreted in the context of the overall clinical picture.
T.O.V.A. testing and ADHD assessment in Zagreb
At Poliklinika Golden Mind, you can book T.O.V.A. testing in Zagreb as a standalone attention test or, where indicated, as part of a comprehensive ADHD assessment.
Our expert team includes psychiatrists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and psychologists, enabling a comprehensive assessment of attention difficulties and ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.
Book T.O.V.A. testing at Poliklinika Golden Mind
To book T.O.V.A. testing, ADHD testing, or a comprehensive ADHD assessment for children, adolescents, and adults, or to request further information, please contact us:
📧 Email: info@poliklinikagoldenmind.hr
📞 Phone: +385 91 605 8476
The TOVA test costs 90 EUR. For more information, see our price list .
Poliklinika Golden Mind – Zagreb
T.O.V.A. testing | ADHD assessment | psychiatry for children, adolescents, and adults