General Ability Measure for Adults (GAMA)

GAMA test (General Ability Measure for Adults)

The GAMA test (General Ability Measure for Adults) is a self-administered, timed test that uses abstract designs, shapes, and colors to help measure general ability. Normed on a census-based sample of 2,360 adults, it can be effective with a variety of populations and can be administered to individuals or groups. The GAMA IQ score helps estimate an individual’s general intellectual ability and the 4 subtest scores provide additional information about the individual’s performance.

The GAMA test can be used by clinical professionals and psychologists in a variety of settings, including:

  • As part of a psychological evaluation when a brief tool is needed to help assess general cognitive ability
  • When evaluating people who speak English as a second language or who read at a low level
  • With special populations such as deaf adults, the elderly, and individuals with learning disabilities, mental retardation, or traumatic brain injury
  • For neuropsychology and forensic evaluations
  • For large-scale assessment (e.g. with correctional or military populations)
  • In counseling and psychotherapy settings to help choose interventions that match a client’s intellectual ability
  • For counseling to facilitate vocational decisions

Key Features

  • Self-administered, 25-minute, timed test. Its brevity enables clinicians to include the test as part of a complete cognitive assessment.
  • Administered individually or with groups.
  • Highly correlated with other intelligence measures, the GAMA test helps provide convenience without sacrificing quality.
  • The nonverbal format helps overcome language, cultural and educational barriers, making it useful with diverse populations.
  • Requires less training for administrators than many other general abilities tests.