The test consists of a number of colored plates, called Ishihara plates, each of which contains a circle of dots appearing randomized in color and size. Within the pattern are dots which form a number or shape clearly visible to those with normal color vision, and invisible, or difficult to see, to those with a red-green color vision defect, or the other way around. The full test consists of 38 plates, but the existence of a deficiency is usually clear after a few plates. There is also the smaller test consisting only 24 plates.

Transformation plates: individuals with color vision defect should see a different figure from individuals with normal color vision.
Vanishing plates: only individuals with normal color vision could recognize the figure.
Hidden digit plates: only individuals with color vision defect could recognize the figure.
Diagnostic plates: intended to determine the type of color vision defect (protanopia or deuteranopia) and the severity of it.