1. Home
  2. Resources
  3. Clock in the Box
  4. Administrator Instructions

Administrator Instructions

How to Administer the Clock-in-the-Box

The Clock-in-the-Box diagnostic has two parts to it. First there is a page of brief instructions that the test taker is asked to commit to memory. Then, when they are ready, they are given a response sheet, depicted below, on which they try to follow the instructions to the best of their ability.

The instructions given to the test taker are as follows:

Please read and do the following carefully:

  • In the blue box on the next page:
  • Draw a picture of a clock
  • Put in all the numbers
  • Set the time to ten after eleven.

Hand this sheet back and go to the next page

a blank clock-in-the-box response form
Fig. 1   A sample clock-in-the-box response form. To download this and other training materials, please click here.
d
Before handing the individual the instruction sheet and response form say the following:
d
"I am giving you two papers. The top page will have written instructions. I want you to read the instructions carefully, because I am going to ask you to do what it says. After you have read and understand the instructions, I will take the top paper away and ask you to complete the task on the second paper. Do you have any questions?"
d

Hand the two sheets to the individual, with the instructions on top and the colored boxes on the bottom. If the participant is unable to read the instructions, either because he/she cannot read or because they have visual problems, it is permissible to read the instructions aloud. Be certain to read them clearly and ask the participant if he/she understands the directions. If the participant is uncertain of the directions they may be read aloud one more time (note on the response sheet that the instructions were read aloud by the examiner). Be sure that the blue box is in the bottom right corner when the individual is looking at the page. If the participant reports that he/she is colorblind ask him/her to make a guess to the location (note color blindness on the response sheet). Do not repeat any of the instructions, except as described above.