Psychomotor exercise · ~45 sec a run · free
Pursuit Tracking
Chase the moving ring and stay on it.
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Pursuit tracking is the other half of stick-and-rudder aptitude: instead of countering a disturbance, you follow a moving target. A ring drifts around the box; keep your marker on it for as long as you can.
About this test
About this test
What this test measures
This measures anticipation and continuous hand-eye coordination as you follow a target that changes speed and direction. Reading where the target is going, not just where it is, separates smooth control from jerky control.
How to improve your score
- Predict the path and lead the target rather than trailing behind it.
- Keep inputs continuous and gentle, aim for a steady follow, not constant catch-up.
- Breathe and stay loose, smoothness comes from relaxed hands.
Good to know
Good to know
Lead, do not chase
Read which direction the ring is travelling and move your pointer ahead of it rather than directly onto it. Chasing from behind leaves you perpetually late, because by the time you arrive the ring has already moved on. A steady small lead keeps you on the target rather than hunting for it.What a strong run looks like
Strong candidates maintain a high time-on-target score as the ring changes direction and its path becomes less predictable. The anticipatory skill here is the same one pilots use to track a visual reference on approach or follow a contact on a traffic display. A smooth lead that stays constant rather than bursts of catch-up is what drives the score high.Real tests use dedicated hardware
On-site selection systems run tasks like this on calibrated joysticks, rudder pedals and custom response panels that no browser exercise can replicate, so treat this as training for the underlying control skill rather than a replica of any machine. One practical tip from candidates who have sat the real assessments: practise with a mouse or a gamepad, not a laptop trackpad. A trackpad makes smooth, continuous two-axis control far harder than the real test ever would.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from the other tracking drill?
How is this different from the other tracking drill?
Compensatory tracking asks you to hold a disturbed marker at the centre. Pursuit tracking asks you to follow a target that moves, which leans more on anticipation.
Does it need a joystick?
Does it need a joystick?
No. Mouse, touch or the arrow keys all work. Real selection uses calibrated joysticks, but the underlying pursuit skill is the same.
How do I score higher?
How do I score higher?
Lead the target slightly rather than chasing from behind. Predict where the ring is heading and move there.
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