Attention Span Test Online — 60-Second Focus Challenge
One minute, one rule: letters flash on screen about once per second — tap the button (or press the space bar) only when the target letter X appears. This attention span test doubles as a focus test and a processing speed test: it scores your hits, false alarms, misses and millisecond reaction time, with an exclusive rule-switch mode that changes the target mid-round. Everything runs locally in your browser — this attention test never sends your scores anywhere.
Press only when X appears. Ignore every other letter. Tap the big button, or press the space bar
Pick a mode, press start, and hold the rule for 60 seconds.
Finish a round to start your local history.
New here? The FAQ below explains what each number means and what a good score looks like.
How this attention test works
The format is a lite version of the continuous performance test (CPT), the classic psychology paradigm for sustained attention: letters appear one at a time and you respond to one target letter only, ignoring everything else. Holding that single rule for a full minute without drifting is exactly what makes it an attention span test. Rule-switch mode — our exclusive variant — changes the target from X to K halfway through, adding a task-switching challenge on top.
As a processing speed test, it reports your average reaction time on hits in milliseconds. As a focus test, it profiles two kinds of slips: false alarms (pressing on a non-target) and misses (letting a target pass). After each round you get rating bands, a progress curve and a comparison against your personal best — all measured against your own history, not invented norms.
An honest note: this page is a screening-style self-measurement game, not a diagnosis. Practice will make you steadier and faster at this task (near transfer), and the trend shows up in your local history — but claims about raising general attention or intelligence go beyond the evidence. If you are worried about attention difficulties, for yourself or a child, talk to a qualified professional.
How to take the test
- Pick Classic mode (the target stays X) or Rule-switch mode (the target switches from X to K halfway through).
- Press Start. Letters appear about once per second — tap the big button or press the space bar only when you see the current target letter.
- Stay focused for 60 seconds. Pressing on a non-target counts as a false alarm; letting a target pass counts as a miss. You can end the round early.
- Read your results: hits, false alarms, misses and average reaction time, plus your progress curve. Scores are stored locally in your browser.
What your results mean
| Metric | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Hits | Target letters you responded to in time — your sustained-attention throughput across 60 seconds. |
| False alarms | Presses on non-target letters — a window into impulse control (commission errors, in CPT terms). |
| Misses | Target letters that slipped by unanswered — momentary lapses of attention (omission errors). |
| Average reaction time | Mean speed of your hits in milliseconds — the processing-speed readout of this test. |
No published norm exists for a 60-second letter CPT, so hits are shown as a site aggregate reference (beta). The reaction-time bands use the common rule of thumb that adult simple reaction time runs roughly 250–300 ms — a general reference, not a standard for this task. Track your own trend.
Frequently asked questions
What is an attention span test?
An attention span test measures how long you can stay focused on a task without your mind drifting. This one uses a CPT-style format: letters flash on screen for 60 seconds and you respond only to a target letter. Your hits, false alarms, misses and reaction time sketch a profile of sustained attention and processing speed.
How does the attention test work?
Press Start and letters appear one per second for 60 seconds. Tap the big button — or press the space bar — only when the target letter (X) shows up; ignore everything else. Rule-switch mode changes the target mid-round from X to K. The test then scores your hits, false alarms, misses and average reaction time.
What is a good score on this attention test?
There is no published norm for this 60-second format, so treat your numbers as a personal baseline (beta). As a rough everyday reference, simple reaction times around 250–300 ms are typical — a general rule of thumb, not a standard for this task. Compare against your own history: fewer misses and false alarms over time is real progress.
Which type of attention does this test measure?
Mainly sustained attention — staying responsive across a full minute — plus response inhibition (not pressing on non-targets) and processing speed (reaction time). Rule-switch mode adds task switching, a slice of executive function. These are real, trainable skills, but a one-minute browser focus test is a screening-style drill, not a clinical assessment of attention disorders.
How is this different from a Schulte table?
A Schulte table is a visual search task: you scan a grid for numbers in order, training scanning speed and peripheral vision. This attention test is a go/no-go task: you hold one rule in mind and react only to a target, training sustained focus and impulse control. They complement each other — many people alternate both in one training routine.