Number-symbol test

[A] Number-symbol test (which is part of many IQ tests) advised for students age 13+

This test, which is also known as the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), helps to assess whether the subject has normally functioning intermodal activity.

On a piece of paper there is a list of numbers from, e.g., 1 to 9. Each number is associated with a symbol (e.g., - / & / O). Under this list is a table with a list of numbers repeated in random order.

The subject has to put the associated symbol beneath every number as fast as possible.

A student from the subject group can be given, e.g., 90 seconds to complete the sheet of paper. At halftime, e.g. 45 seconds, he or she makes a pause. You can check later whether the student is getting faster at associating numbers with symbols. This is the kind of brain activity that is called learning. Five minutes later the student could be asked to write down the correct symbols associated with the numbers, in order to see how much he or she remembers. This is another kind of brain activity known as long-term memory.

 

The description of the experiment and conclusions

[A] Number-symbol test (which is part of many IQ tests) advised for students age 13+

For the experiment we have chosen 12-th grade students ( 18-year-old). The survey was held in three directions.

1.    The influence of water on blood pressure , pulse and memory. Number-symbol test –without physical load.

Name of the examinee	Blood pressure before drinking water (H2O)	Pulse	Blood pressure after drinking water (H2O)	Pulse	Number-symbol test after 45 seconds, %	Number-symbol test After 5 minutes, %
Giorgi 18	102/64	76	98/53	79	100%	100%
Levani 18	90/52	83	90/49	82	100%	90%

According to the results of the survey:

ü  After drinking the water there were no signs of  blood pressure and pulse changes.

ü  Number-symbol test results showed that the examinee who drank water, could absolutely precisely match symbols with numbers after 45 seconds observation of the pattern. After 5 minute break the task was performed with 90 % accuracy by the participant of the experiment .

2.    Isotonic drink OSHEE  “Lemon” – influence on blood pressure , pulse and memory. Number-symbol test –without physical loading.

Name of the examinee	Blood pressure before drinking OSHEE  “Lemon”	Pulse	Blood pressure after drinking   OSHEE  “Lemon”	Pulse	Number-symbol test after 45 seconds,%	Number-symbol test After 5 minutes, %
Giorgi 18	107/62	75	119/67	65	100%	100%
Levani 18	130/68	99	135/68	97	90%	100%

The survey results showed that :

ü  The pressure increased by several units but the pulse didn’t change

ü   While performing Number-symbol test the  cadet could fulfill   the task with 100 % accuracy after 45 seconds  and even after  5 minutes . The second cadet  did it with 90% precision after 45 seconds  and with 100% after 5 minutes.

3.    Isotonic drink OSHEE  “Orange”-- influence on blood pressure , pulse and memory. Number-symbol test –after physical loading.

    

Name of the examinee	Blood pressure before drinking OSHEE   “Orange”	Pulse	Blood pressure after drinking   OSHEE  “Orange”	Pulse	Number-symbol test after 45 seconds,%	Number-symbol test After 5 minutes, %
Giorgi 18	97/66	105	97/62	75	100%	100%
Levani 18	92/56	93	97/53	89	60%	100%

The results were as follows:

ü  The  changes in blood pressure were not noticeable  (or at least slightly)

ü  The pulse was  reduced

ü  While performing Number-symbol test the  cadet could fulfill   the task with 100 % accuracy after 45 seconds  and  after  5 minutes time interval.As for the second cadet , after 45 sec.he carried out the test with 60% precision but with 100% after 5 minutes.

Consequently , we can conclude that:

1.      Isotonic drinks after  work-outs, don’t affect  the memory negatively and don’t cause  blood pressure and pulse increases .

2.      Isotonic drinks are recommended for people who do sports . As the experiments revealed, it increases blood pressure by several units but has no negative effects on memory.