Visual Attention Test with Pictures
Attentiveness can be measured and trained. In this visual test you see short scenes of shapes, colors and objects one by one, then answer questions about the details from memory. Find out how precisely your brain captures the number, position and color of objects in just seconds.
What you'll learn
Your level of visual attentiveness and a rank out of 10 tiers
How accurately you remember colors, counts and positions of objects
Which kinds of details you miss most often, broken down by category
Practical exercises to train your attention every day
Key facts
History & development
William James describes attention in “The Principles of Psychology.”
Norman Mackworth studies sustained attention with the “Clock” vigilance test.
Anne Treisman proposes the feature-integration theory of attention.
Simons and Chabris demonstrate sustained inattentional blindness.
About the methodology
Visual attentiveness is built from several processes. Selective attention decides which objects the brain pulls out of the background, while feature-integration theory explains how color, shape and position bind into a whole.
Sustained attention keeps focus over time, especially when you must act fast under a timer.
Inattentional-blindness experiments show that unnoticed details simply never reach memory, so the quality of perception directly shapes the result. The good news is that attention is plastic and trains well through regular observation exercises.
Scientific references
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All testsFrequently asked questions
What does this test measure?
It measures visual attentiveness: the ability to quickly notice details of a scene, colors, counts and positions of objects, and hold them in memory to reproduce them accurately.
How long does it take?
About 12 minutes. There are 20 tasks; before each you get a few seconds to memorize the picture and a limited time to answer.
Can I peek or look up the answers?
There is no point: the picture disappears before the question and the test detects tab switching. Answer from memory for a fair result.
How is attention different from memory?
Attention is the filter at the input: it decides which details enter memory at all. If an object is not noticed, it cannot be recalled, so the test checks the quality of perception.
Can attentiveness be improved?
Yes. Attention responds to observation drills, spot-the-difference games and regular practice. After the test you get personal tips matched to your level.
Instructions
Before each question you will see a picture for a few seconds. Memorize the details carefully: colors, counts and positions of the objects. When the picture disappears, pick the right answer from memory. Answer quickly: speed earns bonus points.
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