Which test is commonly used to assess fine motor dexterity?

• A. COWAT
• B. Grooved Pegboard
• C. CVLT-2
• D. JLO

Answer: (B)

Fine motor dexterity refers to the ability to perform precise finger and hand movements quickly and smoothly to manipulate small objects. The Grooved Pegboard measures exactly this: you insert pegs into grooves in a board, which requires careful finger control, hand-eye coordination, and speed. The score is typically the time taken to complete the task (sometimes with each hand separately), making it a direct readout of motor speed and dexterity. This test is a staple in neuropsychological batteries because it sensitively reflects motor functioning and can track changes over time after neurological events or in disorders affecting motor pathways. In contrast, the other assessments target verbal fluency, verbal learning and memory, or visuospatial judgment rather than fine motor speed, so they don’t measure dexterity.