ConductCognition

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.

Attention6-9 minBrowser-based testing workflow
Preview
Cognitive test preview

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

Why researchers use ConductCognition

  • Hosted browser delivery with no local install burden for participants.
  • Study setup, scoring, exports, and participant links in one workflow.
  • Transparent pricing instead of opaque enterprise quoting for solo labs.
  • Free entry tier plus Academic Pro when you need the full battery and trial-level exports.

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

proportion

Proportion of target trials with a response.

Higher is better

False Alarm Rate

proportion

Proportion 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

count

Target trials where no response was recorded.

Lower is better

Commission Errors

count

Non-target trials where a response was recorded.

Lower is better

Mean Hit RT

ms

Average reaction time on correctly detected target trials.

Lower is better when accuracy is maintained

RT Variability

coefficient

Hit RT standard deviation divided by mean hit RT.

Lower is better

Time-on-Task Slope

ms/trial

Linear change in hit RT across the scored block.

Informational

Research evidence and scoring context

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.

Reference reviewedMixed

Ready to Run This Test?

Set up a study, share participant links, collect data, and export results — all in one place. Free to start.

Related task pages

Psychomotor Vigilance TaskGo/No-Go Task1-Back Task

Research FAQ

Common questions about this online cognitive test

Can I run the Continuous Performance Test online?

Yes. ConductCognition runs the Continuous Performance Test in a browser-based participant flow with study setup, automated scoring, and export-ready results.

What does this test measure?

Continuous Performance Test is used for sustained attention, vigilance, response consistency research workflows.

What data can researchers export?

Researchers can export scored results, and paid plans support trial-level exports for deeper analysis.

Is this for clinical diagnosis?

ConductCognition is for research use. The platform supports task delivery, scoring, and exports; clinical interpretation remains outside the platform.