MOXO Attention Test
MOXO Attention Test
MOXO is a computerised attention test that measures attention and response control. At our practice in Çankaya, Ankara, Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu administers the test on a computer to children and adolescents aged 6 and over; the result is discussed and the report is given on the same day.
In short
At our practice the MOXO test is administered by Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu. It runs on a computer; no separate device is needed.
The test is given to children and adolescents aged 6 and over.
The result is discussed with the family on the same day and the report is given the same day.
MOXO gives an objective measure of attention, timing, impulsivity and hyperactivity, but does not diagnose ADHD on its own.
What is the MOXO test and what does it measure?
MOXO is one of the computerised attention tests known as continuous performance tests (CPT). The child responds to target stimuli on the screen and tries not to respond to non-targets. Visual and auditory distractors appear during the test; they imitate everyday distractions such as talking in the classroom or movement out of the corner of the eye.
What sets MOXO apart from many continuous performance tests is these distractors. In a study of 663 children aged 7–12, every type of distractor increased missed responses in children with ADHD. In children without ADHD, missed responses increased only when visual and auditory distractors were combined. So the test also shows how resilient the child's attention is in the face of distractions.
The test gives scores in four areas. Where the child stands compared with peers is assessed with these four indices:
| Index | What it measures | What it looks like in daily life |
|---|---|---|
| Attention | Responding correctly to the target stimulus | Missing what the teacher says, leaving instructions half done |
| Timing | Responding at the right moment | Being late on a question they know, slow to get started |
| Impulsivity | Responding to non-target stimuli | Answering before the question ends, not waiting for a turn |
| Hyperactivity | Unnecessary and repeated responses | Unable to sit still, constantly fiddling with something |
We describe the scientific basis of the test, the age groups it is used with and how results are interpreted in detail in our article what is the MOXO attention test. This page explains how the test is administered at our practice in Ankara.
How is the MOXO test given at our practice?
- Who gives it: The test is administered by Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu.
- How: The test runs on a computer. The child sits in front of the screen and responds by pressing a key; no separate device or headset is attached.
- Children on medication: Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu decides, depending on the child's situation, whether the test is done with or without medication.
- Result and report: After the test, the result is discussed with the family and the report is given on the same day.
If your child takes regular medication, do not stop it yourself. Tell us the name and dose before the appointment; we will plan together under which condition the test is done.
Who is the test for?
At our practice the MOXO test can be given to any child or adolescent aged 6 and over. MOXO has child and adolescent versions; published studies have examined the test in children aged 6–12 and adolescents aged 13–18. The test may be considered in situations such as:
- Children who struggle to focus at school or to start and finish homework.
- Repeated feedback from the teacher such as "drifts off in class" or "cannot sit still".
- Children and adolescents assessed for suspected ADHD, when objective information is needed alongside the clinical interview.
- Reviewing attention performance in a child already diagnosed with ADHD and receiving treatment.
- Falling grades, difficulty planning or being easily distracted in adolescence.
In children younger than six, attention and activity levels are often part of normal development; at that age the priority is a developmental assessment. For details, see our neurodevelopmental assessment page.
MOXO does not diagnose ADHD on its own
MOXO has been found useful in telling children with ADHD apart from their peers. In a study of 798 children aged 7–12, children with ADHD scored lower on all four indices. Adding distractors has been shown to improve how well the test discriminates, in both children and adolescents. A meta-analysis published in 2026 also reported that distractor-embedded tests clearly separate groups with and without ADHD.
Even so, no single test result decides the diagnosis. A systematic review of 60 studies on continuous performance tests found mixed evidence on how much these tests support clinical decisions. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK national clinical guideline (NICE NG87) recommend that ADHD be diagnosed through the clinical interview, developmental history and information from parents and teachers. So a child with a normal MOXO result may still have ADHD, and a child with a low result may have another explanation, such as a sleep problem, anxiety or a learning difficulty.
The MOXO result is interpreted together with the clinical interview and rating scales as part of the whole ADHD assessment. For symptoms and treatment approaches, see our ADHD guide for parents.
How is the result judged by age?
Attention skills develop with age. That is why MOXO scores are interpreted against the results of children of the same age, not by raw performance. A result that is typical for a seven-year-old may point to attention difficulties in an eleven-year-old.
In a study comparing more than 900 children aged 6–11, children with ADHD improved with age, but on most indices they stayed at the level of children 1–3 years younger. On the hyperactivity index, the gap hardly closed with age. This finding also explains why the same child may show a different profile when assessed again a few years later.
What else is considered alongside MOXO?
MOXO is only one of the sources of information in an assessment. The table below summarises what each source contributes and where its limits are:
| Source | Contribution | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical interview and examination | Onset, course and impact of symptoms on daily life | The child may seem calmer than usual in the clinic. |
| Parent and teacher scales | Standard measure of symptoms at home and in class | Depends on the rater's observations and expectations. |
| MOXO attention test | Objective measure of attention, timing, impulsivity and hyperactivity | Can be affected by sleep, tiredness and anxiety on the day. |
| Cognitive and learning assessment | Cognitive profile, possible learning difficulty | Does not diagnose ADHD; clarifies co-occurring conditions. |
Other reasons for a low result
A low score on an attention test does not always mean ADHD. When interpreting the result, these possibilities are also considered:
- Insufficient sleep or tiredness on test day
- Anxiety, low mood or reluctance about the test
- Vision or hearing problems
- A specific learning difficulty or language difficulties
- Effects of medicines being taken
So the result is considered together with the child's history and other information; another assessment is planned if needed.
Preparing for test day
How the child is on the day can affect the result. One study found that the day and time of testing were also variables worth taking into account when interpreting results. The points below help the test reflect your child's usual performance:
- Make sure your child sleeps well the night before.
- Your child should have had breakfast or a light meal; they should not arrive hungry or very tired.
- Bring glasses if used; tell us in advance about any hearing problem.
- Bring a list of regular medicines and doses.
- Bring any earlier assessment reports, school reports and teacher notes.
- Describe the test to your child as a "computer attention game", not an exam; avoid pressure about right or wrong answers.
Same-day result: what is in the report?
Once the test is complete, the result is discussed with the family and the report is given on the same day. In this conversation we explain where your child stands compared with peers on the four indices and how these findings may show up in daily life.
The result is not a label on its own. The findings are considered together with the child's history and information from parents and teachers; further scales or tests are planned if needed. Formal school adjustments in Türkiye, such as extra exam time or seating, require an educational assessment by the Guidance and Research Centre (RAM).
The MOXO test in adolescents
In adolescence hyperactivity often decreases; difficulty planning, managing time and sustaining attention comes to the fore. In a study with adolescents, adding distractors made it easier for the test to tell young people with and without ADHD apart. Involve your teenager from the start; explain that the test is not a punishment but a way to understand the difficulty they face. For adolescent care, see our adolescent psychiatry page.
Booking a MOXO test in Ankara
Our practice is in Çankaya, Ankara, at the Sadıkoğlu Kentform Business Centre in Beytepe. The MOXO test is part of our child psychiatry and neurodevelopmental assessment services.
For appointments and information about the test, write to us through our contact page or call +90 541 119 60 17.
Related articles and pages
- What is the MOXO attention test: the four areas it measures and how results are read.
- ADHD guide for parents: symptoms, causes and treatment approaches.
- ADHD treatment in Ankara: treatment options and working with schools.
- Neurodevelopmental assessment: developmental, attention, cognitive and autism assessment.
References
- Berger I, Slobodin O, Cassuto H. Usefulness and validity of continuous performance tests in the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder children. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2017;32(1):81-93. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw101
- Berger I, Slobodin O, Aboud M, Melamed J, Cassuto H. Maturational delay in ADHD: evidence from CPT. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:691. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00691
- Cassuto H, Ben-Simon A, Berger I. Using environmental distractors in the diagnosis of ADHD. Front Hum Neurosci. 2013;7:805. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2013.00805
- Berger I, Cassuto H. The effect of environmental distractors incorporation into a CPT on sustained attention and ADHD diagnosis among adolescents. J Neurosci Methods. 2014;222:62-68. doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2013.10.012
- Slobodin O, Yahav I, Berger I. A machine-based prediction model of ADHD using CPT data. Front Hum Neurosci. 2020;14:560021. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2020.560021
- Kılınçel Ş, Bulut F, Kılınçel O. Beyond traditional continuous performance tests: the incremental diagnostic value of distractor-embedded paradigms. Psychiatry Investig. 2026;23(8):1047-1057. doi:10.30773/pi.2026.0080
- Hall CL, Valentine AZ, Groom MJ, et al. The clinical utility of the continuous performance test and objective measures of activity for diagnosing and monitoring ADHD in children: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(7):677-699. doi:10.1007/s00787-015-0798-x
- Wolraich ML, Hagan JF Jr, Allan C, et al.; Subcommittee on Children and Adolescents with ADHD. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87). London: NICE; 2018. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the MOXO test done in Ankara?
The MOXO test is administered on a computer by Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu at our practice in Beytepe, Çankaya, Ankara.
From what age can the MOXO test be done?
At our practice the MOXO test is given to children and adolescents aged 6 and over. For younger children the priority is a developmental assessment.
When is the MOXO result available?
The result is discussed with the family on the day of the test and the report is given the same day.
Does the MOXO test diagnose ADHD?
No. MOXO gives an objective measure of attention, timing, impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD is diagnosed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist together with the clinical interview, developmental history and information from parents and teachers.
Should a child on medication take the test with medication?
It depends on the situation. Assoc. Prof. Mehtap Eroğlu decides, based on the child's situation, whether the test is done with or without medication. Do not stop the medicine yourself; tell us the name and dose before the appointment.
Is a special device used for the MOXO test?
No. The test runs on a computer; the child sits in front of the screen and responds by pressing a key. Nothing is attached to the head or body.
How is MOXO different from other attention tests?
MOXO uses visual and auditory distractors during the test. Studies have shown that these distractors improve the test's ability to tell children with and without ADHD apart.
If the MOXO result is normal, does that mean my child does not have ADHD?
No. A normal result does not rule out ADHD on its own, and a low result does not on its own show that ADHD is present. The result is interpreted together with the clinical interview and information from parents and teachers.
How should we prepare for the test?
Make sure your child has slept well and eaten something. Bring glasses if used. Bring the medicine list, earlier reports and school reports if you have them.
