FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which cognitive domain is assessed by the Working Memory Index?

1. Visual-Spatial abilities

2. Fluid Reasoning

3. Processing Speed

4. Cognitive capacity to hold and manipulate information

The correct answer is: Cognitive capacity to hold and manipulate information

The Working Memory Index specifically assesses the cognitive capacity to hold and manipulate information. This aspect of cognition involves the ability to temporarily retain and process information, which is crucial for various higher-level cognitive tasks, such as reasoning and comprehension. Working memory is essential in learning environments, as it enables individuals to perform complex tasks that require the integration of new information with existing knowledge. The emphasis of the Working Memory Index on the manipulation of information highlights its role in activities like problem-solving, following instructions, and completing tasks that demand immediate recall and usage of data. While the other domains mentioned—Visual-Spatial abilities, Fluid Reasoning, and Processing Speed—represent important facets of intelligence and cognitive functioning, they do not focus primarily on the capacity to hold and manipulate information in the same way that working memory does.