How long does the Delayed Match-to-Sample Task take?
About 5 to 6 minutes, as listed in the test library.
Episodic Memory
Delayed Match-to-Sample Task
Assess visual recognition memory with sample encoding, delay maintenance, and forced-choice matching.
Useful for CANTAB-parity batteries, visual memory studies, aging research, and medial-temporal endpoints.
Free to start: 10 free participants per account, then $0.99 per participant for academic research, or any yearly plan. Preview any test free after you sign up.
Episodic memory5-6 minUntimed
Preview
Cognitive test preview
What this task measures
Measures visual recognition memory by showing a sample pattern, imposing a delay, then asking participants to identify the matching pattern among alternatives.
Core constructs
- Visual recognition memory
- Short-term visual memory
- Encoding and retrieval
- Delay sensitivity
Research fit
- Visual memory assessment
- Temporal-lobe and medial-temporal research
- CANTAB-comparison batteries
- Aging and memory studies
Paradigm overview
Delayed Match-to-Sample presents an abstract visual sample, inserts a delay, then asks the participant to identify the matching item among alternatives.
This browser implementation uses procedural non-proprietary patterns while preserving the core recognition-memory structure: sample encoding, delay maintenance, and forced-choice recognition.
Key scoring outputs
Percent Correct
proportionProportion of delayed match choices answered correctly.
Higher is better
Correct Trials
countNumber of correct forced-choice responses.
Higher is better
Error Trials
countNumber of incorrect forced-choice responses.
Lower is better
Mean Correct RT
msAverage latency for correct recognition choices.
Lower is better
Median Correct RT
msMedian latency for correct recognition choices.
Lower is better
Running this test
Settings you can change
| Setting | Standard | Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Number of trials | 36 | 18 to 72 |
| Delay (ms) | 4,000 | 0 to 12,000 |
Yearly plans can change settings within these limits. Free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Need a setting this test does not have?
Devices and languages
- Untimed test: runs on desktops and laptops. Participant devices
- Task text: English.
- Available on: Every plan, including the free plan.
- Recruiting online? See the setup guides for Prolific, Sona Systems, CloudResearch Connect and Qualtrics.
Cite this test
Paradigm source: CANTAB Delayed Match-to-Sample paradigm; De Luca et al. (2003).
ConductCognition versions: task version 1.1.0, scoring version 1.1.0. Every export records the versions each session used, for a methods section.
Source papers
De Luca et al. (2003) and Robbins et al. (1994) CANTAB DMS norms.
N 112818-79
Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What device does a participant need?
Untimed test: runs on desktops and laptops. The browser must be Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
What scores does it produce?
Percent Correct, Correct Trials, Error Trials, Mean Correct RT and Median Correct RT. Each session is also marked valid, needs review or invalid, with the reason.
Which settings can a researcher change?
Number of trials (18 to 72) and delay (ms) (0 to 12,000). Settings can be changed on yearly plans; free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Which languages can participants use?
The test's own text is in English. Participant pages can be in Italian on yearly plans, but this test's screens stay in English.
Is this a clinical test?
No. ConductCognition is for research use only. It runs, scores and exports the test; clinical interpretation is outside the platform.
Every test: the full test list.
Run this test in your next study
Start free with 10 free participants on any test, then use participant credits or a yearly plan.