Brain test glossary

What each cognitive test on MindBenchmark actually measures. Every entry has a plain-language definition, the research behind it, and a link to the test that measures it.

• What Is Reaction Time?

  Reaction time is the interval between the presentation of a stimulus (like a sound or light) and the moment you respond to it, typically measured in milliseconds. It reflects the speed at which your sensory, cognitive, and motor systems work together.

• What Is Visual Reaction Time?

  Visual reaction time is the time elapsed between the presentation of a visual stimulus and your response to it. Unlike simple reaction time to a single stimulus, visual reaction time often involves choice — selecting the correct response among multiple options — which slows overall performance.

• What Is Click Speed (CPS)?

  Click speed (CPS) is the number of times you can successfully click a mouse button in a given time interval, usually measured as clicks per second. It reflects hand speed, motor control, and the responsiveness of the input device.

• What Is Typing Speed (WPM)?

  Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), calculated from the number of characters typed divided by five, then divided by the time elapsed. It captures both velocity and accuracy, with errors typically deducted from the final score.

• What Is Working Memory?

  Working memory is your brain's ability to briefly hold, manipulate, and update information while performing a task. It's the mental workspace where you actively process information, distinct from long-term memory.

• What Is Visual Memory?

  Visual memory is your capacity to encode, store, and recall visual information — shapes, colors, positions, and spatial layouts. It involves both short-term retention of visual details and longer-term storage of visual knowledge.

• What Is Verbal Memory?

  Verbal memory is the capacity to encode, retain, and retrieve information presented in words — whether spoken or read. It includes remembering specific words, lists of items, stories, and semantic information conveyed through language.

• What Is Pattern Recognition?

  Pattern recognition is your ability to detect, identify, and interpret regularities, structures, and sequences in information. It's a fundamental cognitive skill that enables learning, decision-making, and understanding complex systems.

• What Is Cognitive Flexibility?

  Cognitive flexibility is your capacity to shift your thinking, adapt your mental approach, and switch between tasks or strategies in response to changing demands. It reflects how well your brain can adjust to new information and rules.

• What Is Selective Attention?

  Selective attention is your capacity to focus on task-relevant information while ignoring irrelevant information or distractions. It's the ability to direct your mental resources toward what matters and away from what doesn't.

• What Is Sustained Attention?

  Sustained attention is your capacity to maintain focused attention on a single task over a prolonged period without significant performance decline. It's the ability to concentrate for extended durations despite fatigue or monotony.

• What Is the Stroop Effect?

  The Stroop effect is the phenomenon where naming the ink color of a word becomes slower and more error-prone when the word itself is a different color name. It reflects the automatic processing of word meaning and the cognitive cost of overriding habitual responses.

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