IVA-QS FAQ

We have assembled a visual chart to compare the IVA-QS and IVA-2. Please visit THIS page for details.

There are four different types of reports in the IVA-QS. Please refer to THIS page for samples.

Yes. The IVA-QS comes with a Standard Scale Analysis and a Comparative Analysis. Examples of both can be found HERE.

Clinicians are responsible for the the validity of the test results. Testing guidelines and test interpretation are not considered by BrainTrain to be valid unless the test administration is supervised by the clinician. There is a comprehensive set of test administration procedures specified in the manual that need to be followed in order for the test results to be valid. For example, test takers must keep their finger positioned over the leftmost mouse button throughout the test and if it is removed then they need to be redirected to place their finger back on the mouse button. Consequently, BrainTrain recommends that clinicians actively supervise and visually observe test takers’ behavior during the entire test both in the office and during remote testing. Parents can assist in remote testing, but will need to be instructed and supervised by the clinician in order to validly administer the test.

More information and guidelines for administering the test remotely can be found at https://www.braintrainhelp.com/remote-testing-device-for-iva-testing/

When running the test remotely, are there any concerns about connection speed or connectivity drops?
With both the Web/Chrome and the iPad remote test versions, all timings are run locally on the device and then uploaded at the end of the test. Thus, internet speed or interruptions in connection do not affect the timing or variability of responses. Additionally, both the remote tests and Windows IVA-2 programs have Timing Checks built in so that clinicians can make sure that the devices are recording responses within the appropriate range.?

Is the RTL-I is an effective and reliable testing measure?

Before releasing the remote versions of the IVA test programs, BrainTrain performed extensive internal timing tests to insure that the response times between Web, iPad and Windows versions did not differ in order to assure that test scores did not differ. The reliability and accuracy of test scores requires that web versions be administered using the Chrome browser and completed on either Window 10 or Mac PCs. All of the different types of iPads were confirmed to be reliable and consistent in respect to test response times.

In the test timing evaluation procedures, an automated, electronically controlled mouse was used which responds to light (the visual stimulus) or sound (the auditory stimulus). This automated mouse was used to control for the natural variability that inherently occurs in human subject responses. For example, the automated mouse does become fatigued or attempt to anticipate a response like a human tester may do. Thus, it was possible to accurately measure and correct for any observed differences in timing between different test configurations that controlled for the potential timing irregularities.

Timing comparisons were completed for remote testing using the following device and operating system configurations:

As for timing comparisons between the Remote tests and the desktop/Windows application, BrainTrain performed internal testing on the following platforms:

• Desktop IVA using remote Chrome Browser:
  • Windows XP (no longer supported operating system)
  • Windows 7 (no longer supported operating system)
  • Windows 8 (no longer supported operating system)
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Mac OS (various OS versions)
• iPad and iPhone IVA remote app on:
  • ?numerous device models
  • various iOS versions

BrainTrain completed statistical tests across the different OS versions and devices that confirmed for all of the above listed configurations no significant differences existed in respect to any timing issues. Periodically, BrainTrain retests new OS and hardware configurations in order to identify any issues that may need to be addressed.

The Data Analyses provide a review of the test findings in graph/chart format. The Reports are a written interpretation of the test findings, which can be edited in the software’s built-in word processor.

1. Double-click on the IVA-QS icon on your desktop.
2. Click on the Registration & Support.
3. Once the test has been registered, you may purchase tests, reports, or renewals by clicking on the relevant buttons. These will lead to our website. Access to an internet connection will be necessary.
4. After receiving a purchased license or test code, click on Apply Test License or Apply Renewal License to enter the code.
5. The upper right-hand corner of the screen will indicate whether test licenses or renewal licenses were successfully applied by updating the new number of tests remaining or the new number of subscription days remaining.

To purchase license renewals, or tests, you will need to use a Customer Password that is initially assigned to you by BrainTrain. This password is different from the system password which is used to control access to the test. You can renew your license at any time; you do not have to wait until your test license has expired. You can also add as many tests as you wish provided your test license is active; you do not have to wait until you are out of tests to order more. IVA-QS will prompt you to renew your license when your subscription is set to expire within 30 days and will prompt you when the number of remaining tests is less than 5.

Once your subscription has expired, you will be able to view previous test results and reports, but you will not be able to update the product, purchase new tests, purchase new reports, or receive any technical support. If your registration license expires and you do not renew within 60 days, you will no longer be able to receive the special discounted renewal price. It is recommended that you renew online as soon as possible after you have been notified that your subscription will expire in the near future.

Once you are on the main menu in the IVA-QS, there is a green “Help” button at the bottom of the screen. Clicking that will lead you to the full, built-in software manual, which can be printed to PDF or as a hard copy.

The IVA-QS norms for males and females do differ. We only have norms for these two sexes. In the case where a person does not identify as either male or female, examiners can complete Analyses and Reports using both the male and female normative database. Please note that there is no additional charge for running multiple analyses or reports.  A clinical decision can then be made as to which normative set is in accordance with their comprehensive clinical assessment. In general, male and female test responses differ the most for younger individuals in comparison to older people.
If a substantial degree of impairment is identified, then it is likely that both male and female analyses will prove helpful in identifying specific attention and response control deficits.

Check with your style guide for your publication but the following should provide you with the necessary elements:

Joseph A. Sandford, Ph.D. and Shana E. Anton, M.D. (2014). IVA-QS™ Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test Quick Screen Version [Computer software]. https://www.braintrain.com: Richmond, VA: BrainTrain, Inc.