Which task is used to assess working memory in this context?

• A. N-back task
• B. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
• C. Tower of London
• D. Trail Making Test

Answer: (A)

Working memory is the ability to hold information in mind and actively update it as new information comes in. The N-back task directly targets this updating process: you monitor a sequence of stimuli and respond when the current item matches the one presented N steps earlier. By changing N, the task increases or decreases the amount of information that must be maintained and refreshed, so it measures both keeping information online and updating it as new data arrive. That direct engagement with maintaining and updating representations makes it the best choice for assessing working memory in this context.

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test primarily assesses cognitive flexibility and problem-solving under shifting rules, not the on-line maintenance and updating of working memory. The Tower of London is about planning and problem-solving, while the Trail Making Test emphasizes processing speed and task switching rather than the core working memory process of holding and updating information.