Use cases

Where this page fits in a research battery

  • Remote cognitive batteries that need a familiar executive-function task.
  • Processing-speed and set-shifting studies where TMT-A and TMT-B are analyzed together.
  • Aging, concussion, ADHD, and neuropsychology-inspired research protocols.
  • Browser-based screening workflows that need exportable completion time and error rows.

Trail Making A vs Trail Making B

Primary construct
TMT-A emphasizes visual scanning, number sequencing, and processing speed.
TMT-B adds set shifting, divided attention, and executive control.
Participant action
Connect numbered circles in ascending order.
Alternate between numbers and letters in order.
Core output
Completion time, seconds, errors, and total circles.
Completion time, seconds, errors, and total circles.
Battery role
Often used as the speed and visual scanning baseline.
Often compared against Part A to isolate set-shifting demand.

TMT-A

Trail Making Test A

Measures processing speed and visual scanning by asking participants to connect numbered circles in ascending order as quickly as possible.

Completion Time

Total time from first click to connecting the final circle. Primary speed measure.

Completion Time (sec)

Same as completion time, converted to seconds with one decimal place.

Errors

Number of incorrect clicks (wrong circle selected).

Total Circles

Number of circles in the trail (25 for TMT-A).

View the dedicated TMT-A page

TMT-B

Trail Making Test B

Measures executive function and cognitive flexibility by asking participants to alternate between numbers and letters (1-A-2-B-3-C...).

Completion Time

Total time from first click to connecting the final circle. Primary measure of executive-mediated processing speed.

Completion Time (sec)

Same as completion time, converted to seconds.

Errors

Incorrect clicks (wrong circle). In TMT-B, errors often reflect sequencing or set-switching failures.

Total Circles

Number of circles in the trail (16 for TMT-B: 8 numbers + 8 letters).

View the dedicated TMT-B page

Should I use Trail Making A, Trail Making B, or both?

Many batteries include both. Part A gives a visual scanning and speed baseline, while Part B adds alternating sequence demands that are useful for executive-function work.

Is this a clinical diagnostic instrument?

ConductCognition is for research use. It provides browser-based task delivery, scoring, and export workflows; clinical interpretation remains outside the platform.

Can participants complete this remotely?

Yes. Trail Making tasks run in the browser as part of a guided participant flow. Researchers should still define their own device and environment requirements.

What gets exported?

The platform scores completion time, seconds, errors, and task context. Paid plans can also support raw trial export for deeper review.

Browser-native battery builder

Add these tasks to a study and collect export-ready data.

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