How long does the Continuous Performance Test take?
About 6 to 9 minutes, as listed in the test library.
Attention
Continuous Performance Test
Measure sustained attention, target detection, and response consistency with a browser-native CPT workflow.
Useful for attention research, ADHD-oriented protocols, fatigue studies, and longitudinal vigilance tracking.
Free to start: 10 free participants per account, then $0.99 per participant for academic research, or any yearly plan. Preview any test free after you sign up.
Attention6-9 minTimed: desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad
AKXMX
Target XHits tracked
X
SPACE
AccuracyResponse consistency
Respond to targets while attention is sustained
What this task measures
Measures sustained attention by asking participants to respond to target letters and withhold responses to non-target letters across a continuous stream.
Core constructs
- Sustained attention
- Vigilance
- Response consistency
- Signal detection sensitivity
Research fit
- Attention research
- ADHD-oriented research batteries
- Fatigue and vigilance studies
- Longitudinal attention tracking
Paradigm overview
The Continuous Performance Test measures sustained attention across a stream of rapidly presented stimuli. Participants press the spacebar when a target letter appears and withhold responses to non-target letters.
The scored outputs separate missed targets from responses to non-targets, allowing researchers to distinguish inattention from impulsive responding. Hit reaction time and reaction-time variability provide additional information about attentional stability during the block.
Key scoring outputs
Hit Rate
proportionProportion of target trials with a response.
Higher is better
False Alarm Rate
proportionProportion of non-target trials with an incorrect response.
Lower is better
d-Prime
d'Signal-detection sensitivity combining target hits and non-target false alarms.
Higher is better
Omission Errors
countTarget trials where no response was recorded.
Lower is better
Commission Errors
countNon-target trials where a response was recorded.
Lower is better
Mean Hit RT
msAverage reaction time on correctly detected target trials.
Lower is better when accuracy is maintained
RT Variability
coefficientHit RT standard deviation divided by mean hit RT.
Lower is better
Time-on-Task Slope
ms/trialLinear change in hit RT across the scored block.
Informational
Running this test
Settings you can change
| Setting | Standard | Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Number of scored trials | 120 | 60 to 240 |
| Target probability | 0.25 | 0.1 to 0.5 |
| Lapse threshold (ms) | 750 | 500 to 1,500 |
Yearly plans can change settings within these limits. Free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Need a setting this test does not have?
Devices and languages
- Timed test: participants need a desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad. Participant devices
- Task text: English and Italian.
- Available on: Every plan, including the free plan.
- Recruiting online? See the setup guides for Prolific, Sona Systems, CloudResearch Connect and Qualtrics.
Cite this test
Paradigm source: Rosvold, Mirsky, Sarason, Bransome, & Beck (1956).
ConductCognition versions: task version 1.0.0, scoring version 1.0.0. Every export records the versions each session used, for a methods section.
Source papers
Riccio CA, Reynolds CR, Lowe P, Moore JJ (2002). The continuous performance test: a window on the neural substrates for attention? Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 17(3):235-272.
Paradigm sourceMixed
Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What device does a participant need?
Timed test: participants need a desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad. The browser must be Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
What scores does it produce?
Hit Rate, False Alarm Rate, d-Prime, Omission Errors, Commission Errors, Mean Hit RT, RT Variability and Time-on-Task Slope. Each session is also marked valid, needs review or invalid, with the reason.
Which settings can a researcher change?
Number of scored trials (60 to 240), target probability (0.1 to 0.5) and lapse threshold (ms) (500 to 1,500). Settings can be changed on yearly plans; free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Which languages can participants use?
The test's own text is in English and Italian. Italian participant pages come with yearly plans.
Is this a clinical test?
No. ConductCognition is for research use only. It runs, scores and exports the test; clinical interpretation is outside the platform.
Every test: the full test list.
Run this test in your next study
Start free with 10 free participants on any test, then use participant credits or a yearly plan.
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