Hayling Sentence Completion Test
The Hayling Sentence Completion Test is a specialized cognitive assessment designed to evaluate two critical components of executive functioning: response initiation and response suppression. By analyzing how a person completes a sentence, clinicians can gain insights into the brain's ability to both trigger a logical action and inhibit an automatic impulse.
How the Test Works
The assessment is conducted entirely through speech, making it an accessible tool for individuals who may struggle with reading, movement, or visual perception. The test is divided into two distinct sections, each consisting of 15 sentences with the final word missing.
Section One: Response Initiation
In the first phase, the examiner reads the incomplete sentences aloud. The participant is asked to complete each sentence with a word that makes sense. This section provides a direct measure of response initiation speed, or how quickly a person can generate a relevant and appropriate response.
Section Two: Response Suppression
The second phase increases the cognitive demand. Participants are instructed to complete the sentences using a nonsense ending word. To do this successfully, the individual must actively suppress the sensible word that naturally comes to mind. This phase measures the participant's response suppression ability and their overall thinking time.
Key Facts
- Purpose: Measures response initiation and response suppression.
- Format: Entirely spoken/verbal assessment.
- Structure: Two sets of 15 incomplete sentences.
- Duration: Approximately five minutes to administer.
- Accessibility: Suitable for those with visual, reading, or motor impairments.
- Output: Provides three separate measures of executive functioning or one combined score.
| Test Section | Requirement | Primary Measure |
|---|---|---|
| First Section | Provide a sensible completion | Response Initiation Speed |
| Second Section | Provide a nonsense completion | Response Suppression & Thinking Time |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is response initiation?
Response initiation is the cognitive ability to start a task or produce a relevant response quickly after a stimulus is presented.
What is response suppression?
Response suppression is the ability to inhibit an automatic or instinctive reaction—such as a logical word ending—in favor of a different, specifically requested response.
Who is this test most suitable for?
Because the test is entirely spoken, it is ideal for patients who have difficulties with reading, visual perception, or physical movement that would make written tests impossible.
How long does the administration take?
The entire process is efficient, typically taking about five minutes to complete.
How are the results scored?
The test yields three different measures of executive functioning. These can be analyzed as individual metrics or combined into a single overall score to assess cognitive health.