COSMOS

A universal screener to detect early math learning needs

In collaboration with Brian Butterworth

Did you know that we developed our dyscalculia screener with Brian Butterworth, a leading expert on dyscalculia? Find out how this researcher and professor emeritus has helped us identify students with learning difficulties.

COSMOS is a universal diagnostic tool designed to identify early difficulties in learning mathematics, particularly in number sense and calculation.

Based on validated research, it focuses on both cognitive precursors and the foundational knowledge that underpins arithmetic fluency.

What Does COSMOS Measure?

Number Sense

Number Line Understanding

Arithmetic Fluency

Magnitude Comparison

Number Sense

How It Works
Press the largest number as quickly as you can before the time runs out.

Number Line Understanding

How It Works
Indicate where the number is located on the number line.

Arithmetic Fluency

How It Works
Solve the operations as quickly as you can before the time runs out.

Magnitude Comparison

How It Works
Look at the image and select the color with more dots.

Promoting Fair Results

To ensure timing doesn’t unfairly impact results, COSMOS features two additional activities:

Execution Speed

How It Works
Click on the mole as fast as you can until the time runs out.

Processing Speed

How It Works
Find the matching image among the options and press NO if there is no match.

These activities help distinguish between learning difficulties and slower processing/motor skills.

Additional Cognitive Insights

COSMOS also includes two non-timed tasks to provide a broader learning profile:

Working Memory

How It Works
Here we have 2 tasks:
Memorize the flashing images (boats, planes, rockets, etc.) and select the smiley face that is different.
At the end of the activity, you will need to indicate all the flashing images you spotted.

Visual Logical Reasoning

How It Works
Choose the missing piece to complete the image.

While these activities aren’t used for targeted math intervention, they help deepen our understanding of how a student approaches learning.

How Are Results Used?

COSMOS compares each student’s performance to both national benchmarks and their classroom peers. This helps teachers recognize early math challenges and tailor their instruction accordingly.

What Students Will See During the Test

The test consists of 8 different activitiesand each one includes:

A practice example to solve before starting the graded activity. This step helps students confirm their understanding of the task.
After completing the example, a screen will appear to begin the graded activity. It is recommended that all students proceed at the same pace.

Part of the Math aRTIst Early Intervention Program

COSMOS is more than just a screener — it’s the entry point to Math aRTIst, an early intervention program designed to provide targeted support for students at risk of math learning difficulties.

The COSMOS results guide the selection of students who may benefit from personalized, research-based interventions through the math aRTIst program.

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COSMOS

A universal screener to detect early math learning needs

In collaboration with Brian Butterworth

What Does COSMOS Measure?

Number Sense

Number Line Understanding

Arithmetic Fluency

Magnitude Comparison

Promoting Fair Results

To ensure timing doesn’t unfairly impact results, COSMOS features two additional activities:

Execution Speed

Processing Speed

These activities help distinguish between learning difficulties and slower processing/motor skills.

Additional Cognitive Insights

COSMOS also includes two non-timed tasks to provide a broader learning profile:

Working Memory

Visual Logical Reasoning

While these activities aren’t used for targeted math intervention, they help deepen our understanding of how a student approaches learning.

How Are Results Used?

What Students Will See During the Test

Part of the Math aRTIst Early Intervention Program

Backed by Research