A protocol of formal lexical evocation (words beginning with a letter) and semantic evocation was applied to 168 normal subjects evenly distributed on the basis of three factors (sex, three age classes and two levels of education). Correct answers, their distribution within the allotted time (proportions of correct answers in four thirty-second periods) and errors were analysed globally and in relation to the said factors. Level of education had a decisive influence in all tests; age had no influence on performance in formal evocation, whereas the subjects in the middle age class presented the best performance in semantic evocation. Distribution of the answers over time was unrelated to any of the factors considered. Errors were related to age in half the test.