Attention exercise · ~60 sec a run · free
Stroop Test
Name the ink colour, not the word.
Loading exercise...
A colour word is printed in a different ink. Name the ink, not the word. The Stroop task measures focus and the ability to suppress an automatic response.
About this test
About this test
What this test measures
This measures selective attention and response inhibition: naming the ink colour while ignoring the conflicting word. It tests the focus and self-control that let a pilot act on the correct cue under distraction.
How to improve your score
- Fix attention on the single relevant feature, the colour, and treat the word as noise.
- Slow down a fraction on conflict trials, accuracy falls faster than speed there.
- Practise until suppressing the automatic reading response becomes easier.
Good to know
Good to know
Name the colour, not the word
Shift your gaze slightly to the edges of the word rather than reading through the centre of the letters. Ink colour is processed earlier than word meaning, so fixing your attention on the ink's visual properties before the letters are fully resolved gives you a head start against the reading reflex. Over a few practice sessions, this habit of targeting the colour first instead of the word reduces the interference noticeably.What good looks like
A strong run keeps accuracy above 90 percent for all 20 rounds while your response time stays consistent as the pace increases. Most people find the first few rounds easy; the real test is whether accuracy drops as the pace builds and the interference accumulates. If your accuracy holds steady through the final rounds, your ability to suppress an automatic response under pressure is developing well.
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Stroop task hard?
What makes the Stroop task hard?
Reading is automatic, so when the word 'RED' is printed in blue, your brain wants to say 'red'. Naming the ink means overriding that reflex.
What does it measure?
What does it measure?
Concentration and cognitive inhibition, the ability to focus on the relevant feature and suppress a stronger, automatic one. Both matter under cockpit workload.
How do I get faster?
How do I get faster?
Focus your eyes slightly away from reading the word, and commit to the ink colour. Practice reduces the interference over time.
Training for an airline assessment?
The SkyStudy ATPL question bank is built for EASA ATPL exam preparation, with timed mock exams, spaced repetition and analytics across every subject. Free to start, no card needed.