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Go / No-Go Test
Shapes flash one after another. Tap as fast as you can when a green circle appears, but hold still when you see a red X. This classic response-inhibition task measures your reaction time and how well you can stop an impulse.
About the Go / No-Go Test
The Go / No-Go task is one of the oldest measures of impulse control. Most trials are go trials — you respond as quickly as possible. A minority are no-go trials — you must withhold the response. Tapping on a no-go trial is a false alarm, and staying still on a go trial is a miss.
Your grade reflects overall accuracy across both kinds of trial. Fast reactions matter, but so does restraint: people who chase speed often rack up false alarms, while overly cautious responders miss the go targets. Aim for a balance of speed and control.
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About
The Go/No-Go Test measures response inhibition, a core component of executive function that governs the ability to suppress impulsive actions. In this version, a green circle signals you to tap or click as quickly as possible, while a red X requires you to withhold any response. The task alternates between frequent "go" trials that build a prepotent response tendency and infrequent "no-go" trials that demand rapid cancellation of that tendency. Reaction times and commission errors on no-go trials are recorded to quantify how efficiently your brain applies the brakes on automatic behavior.
How your result is scored
Your result combines two primary metrics: mean reaction time on correct go trials and the commission error rate on no-go trials. Faster go responses indicate efficient motor preparation, while fewer false alarms on red X trials reflect stronger inhibitory control. The tool presents these values side by side so you can see whether speed came at the cost of accuracy or whether you maintained both.
Tips to improve
- Take a few slow breaths before starting to lower baseline arousal.
- Keep your finger or cursor hovering near the target area to reduce movement time.
- Treat each red X as a deliberate "stop" command rather than simply not tapping.
- Practice in short daily sessions instead of one long block to avoid fatigue.
- Minimize visual and auditory distractions in your environment.
Related
Frequently asked questions
- What does a high commission error rate mean?
- It suggests difficulty suppressing a prepotent response, which can reflect momentary fatigue, distraction, or natural variation in inhibitory control; it is not a clinical diagnosis.
- Can I improve my score with practice?
- Yes, repeated exposure typically reduces commission errors and stabilizes reaction time as the brain automates the stop process.
- Is this test used to diagnose ADHD?
- No, it is a screening aid for research and self-awareness; only a qualified clinician can diagnose ADHD.
- Why do reaction times sometimes increase after a no-go trial?
- Post-error slowing is a normal adaptive mechanism where the brain temporarily prioritizes caution over speed.