Multitasking exercise · ~1 min a run · free
IFR Tracking Monitor
Fly the instruments. Count the digits. Do both at once.
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A 75-second divided-attention exercise in which you hold three flight parameters inside their tolerance bands using keyboard controls, while simultaneously monitoring an audio and visual stream of spoken digits. A response is due whenever a run of three consecutive same-parity digits completes. Tracking accuracy and monitoring hit rate are combined into a single composite score, reflecting the kind of cognitive workload pilots manage during demanding flight phases.
About this test
About this test
What this test measures
This measures divided attention and psychomotor coordination together: holding three flight parameters inside tolerance with your hands while an audio and visual digit stream runs in parallel, with a response due on every third same-parity digit. It mirrors the genuinely split workload of flying the aircraft and monitoring a call at once, where neither task is allowed to fail.
How to improve your score
- Run a fixed scan rhythm across the three tapes and the digit display rather than fixating on whichever gauge is worst, so no axis silently drifts out.
- Treat the monitoring count as a background metronome, keep it ticking quietly while your hands work the tracking, instead of stopping to think about it.
- Never press MARK on a guess, a false alarm costs you half a hit, so respond only when you are sure the streak has reached three.
Good to know
Good to know
Technique tip: anchor your scan
Trained pilots use a fixed visual scan pattern to prevent fixating on whichever gauge is most out of band while the others drift away. Practise a clockwise sweep: IAS tape, heading tape, altitude tape, digit display, then repeat. A consistent rhythm keeps all three parameters roughly equal in your attention budget and prevents the common failure mode of losing one axis entirely.What good looks like
As a rough guide, a composite score above 75 reflects strong divided attention: in our testing it usually means holding all three parameters in tolerance most of the time while still catching the large majority of monitoring marks with very few false alarms. Scores below 50 usually point to task-switching between the two tasks rather than true parallel processing, with one task degrading sharply while the other improves.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'third consecutive same-parity digit' mean?
What does 'third consecutive same-parity digit' mean?
Is this exercise affiliated with any airline selection test or testing company?
Is this exercise affiliated with any airline selection test or testing company?
Why does pressing MARK randomly make my monitoring score go down?
Why does pressing MARK randomly make my monitoring score go down?
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