CogniVault vs Private Educational Psychologist
Private assessments cost £500–£1,500 per condition and take weeks to arrange. CogniVault screens for 9 conditions with AI interpretation for just £99. Here's how they compare.
What a Private Educational Psychologist Does
A private educational psychologist (EP) provides a formal, clinical assessment of your child's learning abilities. The assessment typically takes 3–4 hours and results in a detailed report that can be used to access school support, extra time in exams, and Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
The report carries clinical weight — it can formally diagnose conditions like dyslexia and is recognised by schools, universities, and employers. If you need a formal diagnosis for legal or educational purposes, an EP assessment is the gold standard.
However, EP assessments are expensive (£500–£1,500 per condition), often require weeks to arrange, and typically focus on one or two conditions per session. If you're unsure whether your child has dyslexia, ADHD, or something else entirely, you may need multiple assessments.
What CogniVault Does Differently
CogniVault is not a replacement for a professional diagnosis. It's the informed first step before you commit £500+ to a private assessment. Our full cognitive blueprint screens for 9 conditions simultaneously — so you know which areas to focus on before spending money on specialist assessments.
The full blueprint (£99) provides a detailed 122-question assessment with AI-powered interpretation, printable reports, and clear next-step guidance.
Many parents use CogniVault results to have more productive conversations with their GP, school SENCO, or private assessor. When you do pursue a formal assessment, you'll be better prepared — and you'll know which conditions to ask about.
When to Choose CogniVault First
If you suspect your child thinks differently but aren't sure what condition to investigate, CogniVault is the logical first step. Spending £800 on a dyslexia assessment only to discover the real issue is ADHD means starting over. CogniVault screens for all 9 conditions in one assessment.
Whether you're exploring options or preparing for a professional assessment, CogniVault gives you immediate, actionable insights. You can use the results to request appropriate support from school right away.
If cost is a concern, CogniVault gives you a substantial understanding of your child's cognitive profile for just £99 — a fraction of the cost of private assessment.
When You Need a Professional Assessment
If you need a formal diagnosis for legal or educational purposes (exam access arrangements, DSA funding, workplace adjustments), you will need a qualified professional. CogniVault can help you identify which assessment to pursue, so you don't waste money on the wrong one.
If CogniVault's screening shows elevated patterns for a specific condition, we recommend consulting a specialist in that area. Our condition guides include information on costs, pathways, and how to find qualified assessors in the UK.
CogniVault and professional assessment serve different purposes. CogniVault is your informed first step — it shows you which conditions to explore and gives you a comprehensive cognitive profile for a fraction of the cost. Professional assessment gives you a formal diagnosis with legal weight. The smartest approach is to use CogniVault first, then pursue targeted professional assessment for the conditions that matter most.