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Support & Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to use Mobile Toolbox?

A: There is no license or cost to use Mobile Toolbox tests for the duration of the NIA grant that provides funding for Mobile Toolbox. Current funding is set to expire in 2028. If no additional funding is obtained, there may be future license costs in the amount necessary to sustain Mobile Toolbox.

Tax Exempt

A: Currently Mobile Toolbox is free of charge.

What are the Age Requirements?

A: Mobile Toolbox is suitable for people 18+.

What Android and iOS versions can be used to administer Mobile Toolbox in MyCap?

A: We currently support iOS 16 and newer and Android OS 10 and newer.

What is the required equipment for Mobile Toolbox?

A: You can use an Android or iOS smartphone to utilize the Mobile Toolbox. No other equipment is required.

What training is needed for Mobile Toolbox?

A: Mobile Toolbox assessments are self-administered; therefore, no training is necessary. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the Mobile Toolbox Technical Manual which can be found here.

Here are some additional resources to familiarize with REDCap, MyCap, if needed (being updated with additional MTB information):
Using MyCap on a Traditional REDCap Project
Using MyCap on a Longitudinally Enabled REDCap Project
MyCap Help Guide

Translations

A: A Spanish version of most of the Mobile Toolbox assessments are available and can be accessed via REDCap, MyCap.

Does the Mobile Toolbox offer any support for students and early career researchers?

A: We do not currently have any open calls but hope to offer a Mobile Toolbox (MTB) Trainee & Early Career Award in the future. Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with MTB news and future award announcements.

What types of scores are available with MTB? Are there norms?

A: The scores available have been specifically designed to fit each MTB measure. For example, the score reported for Arranging Pictures is the total number of adjacent pairs of pictures correctly placed by the participant. Each measure has a primary score; some have additional secondary scores. The Mobile Toolbox Technical Manual has details on the primary score information reported for each measure.

At present, MTB measures are not normed. In 2026, we are planning a study that would allow us to develop normative scores, comparing test-takers to the U.S. population. More details will be provided and publicized when normative scores become available.

Where can I find the Mobile Toolbox Technical Manual?

A: On the Mobile Toolbox website, under Toolbox Learning & Resources, requiring registration to access it.

Where can the Mobile Toolbox Brochure be found?

A: https://mobiletoolbox.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/38301463223700-Mobile-Toolbox-Brochure

Can I use Mobile Toolbox for repeated cognitive testing?

A: Yes. Mobile Toolbox (MTB) is designed for repeat testing in longitudinal research. However, use in high-frequency designs (e.g., daily or multiple-times-per-day testing such as Ecological Momentary Assessment [EMA] or Experience Sampling Methods [ESM]) has not yet been validated. Research is ongoing to understand within-person variability and practice effects (improvements in test performance from baseline to retest) over time.

For higher-frequency use:

Select tasks with minimal practice effects and shorter durations
– Design consideration: In certain scenarios, tasks with strong practice effects can be useful. If your goal is to assess memory retention across multiple assessments, tasks with high practice effects could be beneficial.
— Avoid tasks with high burden or longer delay intervals

– Plan to model and adjust for practice effects in your analyses

Contact the MTB team to discuss your study goals or if you’re interested in contributing to ongoing validation work in this area.

How does Mobile Toolbox handle practice effects?

A: Practice effects, improvements in test performance from baseline to retest, vary by task. Some tasks are more resistant to learning with repeated use, while others show modest to significant improvement when a retest is conducted at a smaller interval. The Mobile Toolbox validation studies have examined 14-day test-retest intervals, and efforts are being made to publish the results of 7-day and 21-day test-retest intervals. Researchers conducting repeated assessments should plan to model and account for potential learning effects in their analysis and study designs.

What is Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), and which tests use it?

A: Word Meaning and Spelling are administered using CAT, where items are selected from a larger item pool based on participant performance. This reduces practice effects and enhances repeat testing reliability. Word Meaning also includes two CAT-based forms with distinct and overlapping items.

Is the Mobile Toolbox available outside of research?

The Mobile Toolbox was developed specifically for use in research and for group-level comparisons. It has not undergone the types of psychometric evaluation that would support its use outside of research.

Contact us

Submit an email to us below for general questions and for troubleshooting technical questions about your Mobile Toolbox project. We will do our best to respond in 1-2 business days.

If you are interested in receiving updates about Mobile Toolbox and related products, please join our mailing list.

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