The program is a gamified learning tool, consisting of 25 online training sessions. Each session is 10 to 45 minutes long, depending on the schedule you choose. Anyone who uses it is expected to complete a minimum of 5 sessions per week. This can be done at home, school, work, or wherever convenient.

In each session, the logged-in player (or patient) completes a series of video-game-like exercises — such as remembering and repeating the order in which a panel of lights or a field of asteroids lights up. The program responds to both correct and incorrect answers. Correct choices trigger an increase in difficulty, designed to push the limits of the patient's working memory. Incorrect inputs cause the difficulty to decrease so the patient does not become frustrated and quit.

The COGMED programs test both visual and verbal working memory. Throughout each session, the patient will complete roughly 8 unique exercises. The more they do it, the more they are inclined to beat their own high scores. Some days they will surprise themselves and make significant increases, other days they will feel as though they have lost all their positive gains — in the end, the patients tend to be amazed when the scores from week one are compared to their final week's results.

Most students who begin the program and get into the rhythm often request additional sessions, beyond the minimum. They report increased self-esteem, the ability to recall important information more easily, feeling more present, and generally feeling less stress when engaging in difficult tasks.