![[Featured Image] A young learner works on their laptop, using their cognitive skills to assimilate the information they’re reading.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/1vWZhxC6ZqLRAQ5r8slFuA/4774b7738cb99ac9faa71902f91cc58a/GettyImages-956461414.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Cognitive Skills: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How They’re Used
Interested in improving your cognitive skills? Read on to learn about cognitive thinking and why different cognitive skills may be useful for you.
November 5, 2024
Article
Coursera Staff
Editorial Team
Bio
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact-checkers. Our articles are deeply researched and thoroughly reviewed to ensure we are providing trustworthy information and advice for any topic. We understand that taking the next step in your education or career can raise questions. We are here to provide actionable, reliable, and relevant answers so you can achieve your goals.
![[Featured Image]: A psychiatric nurse wearing a green uniform, and a stethoscope around her neck is taking care of a patient with short white hair and wearing a brown blouse.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2vQ4KRJx4P1IT8p8Ejnrux/bf1c95ad104596f8f37bd5d67fad096d/GettyImages-1307432573.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A nurse is using a tablet.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/7EChqjzasFW5KOuM9wCo0z/4bfbea973a81793ded455157205e356b/S8RBqU2g.jpeg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image]: Data scientist presents her findings in a meeting](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/5xEKmuCvQqUN3pMtvyiZXA/7317e80880faca269e3ce219b022a45f/GettyImages-1308902708.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Three web developers sitting at a table in an open concept office use backend languages to write code on their laptops.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4em02XiSupj7hnnoJMF03h/cb6427a932dd505522c1120911dc1191/GettyImages-1432250536.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A group of business people sit in a casual workshop setting as they learn business development skills.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4Rbq29q4D0W5HjLFsPZDvN/620df8b05d4cc3646f75d23c495c6c76/GettyImages-1492266430.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)