Test Your Impulse Control Online — Free

Think of it as a mental "red light, green light" game that tests your brain's ability to stop automatic actions. It's a fun way to measure your impulse control and focus — widely used by researchers and loved by curious minds.

45 sec–3 min
Choose your mode
Research-inspired
Built on cognitive science
Any device
Mobile & tablet support

Go/No-Go Test

Measure response inhibition (impulse control) with a simple Go/No-Go task. Choose a stimulus difficulty and a mode to begin.

Choose Stimulus Difficulty

Current: Easy - Press SPACE/click for GREEN. Do nothing for RED.

Go/No-Go Basics

The Go/No-Go test is a classic cognitive assessment that measures your brain's ability to control impulsive actions — what psychologists call response inhibition. Think of it as testing your mental "brakes."

Here's how it works: Most trials are Go trials, which means you should respond (by pressing a key or tapping). This repetition builds an automatic "press" habit in your brain. Then, occasional No-Go trials appear, requiring you to withhold that automatic response. Successfully stopping yourself reveals how well your brain can override habits and impulses when needed.

This type of cognitive control is essential in daily life — from resisting distractions while studying to making thoughtful decisions under pressure. The test has been widely used in psychology and neuroscience research to understand attention, self-control, and executive function.

Important: This is an educational self-test designed for learning and self-awareness, not a medical or clinical diagnostic tool.

1

One stimulus appears briefly each trial. Most are Go, and some are No-Go.

2

Press SPACE or click for the Go stimulus (e.g., GREEN).

3

Do nothing for the No-Go stimulus (e.g., RED).

4

Aim for accuracy first, then speed. Avoid multitasking during the test.

Current setting: Easy

Example (Selected Difficulty)

GREEN
Press/Click!
RED
Don’t Respond

Why This Matters

Strong inhibitory control helps you stay focused when studying, resist distractions at work, make better decisions under pressure, and break unwanted habits. Regular practice can strengthen these mental "brakes" — just like physical exercise strengthens your muscles.

Test Features

High Precision Timing

Millisecond-level accurate timing ensures scientific accuracy of test results

Scientific Testing

Measure response inhibition and impulse control based on cognitive psychology research

Multi-device Support

Perfect for desktop, tablet and mobile, test anytime, anywhere

Privacy Protection

No registration required, data stored locally, protecting your privacy

Detailed Analysis

Professional data analysis including hit rate, false alarm rate and reaction time

Instant Feedback

View results immediately after testing to understand your inhibitory control

What You'll Measure

Hit Rate

Percentage of correct responses on Go trials (e.g., when you should respond to GREEN). Reflects attention and task engagement.

False Alarm Rate

Percentage of responses on No-Go trials (e.g., when you should withhold for RED). Lower is better — it’s the core inhibition metric.

Reaction Time

Average time to respond on Go trials. Helps capture processing speed and response readiness.

Inhibitory Control

Overall assessment of your ability to suppress inappropriate responses. A key executive function.

Applications

ADHD Assessment

Commonly used in ADHD research and clinical assessment

Cognitive Training

Track improvements in impulse control over time

Executive Function

Measure and improve decision-making abilities

Self-awareness

Understand your cognitive control strengths and weaknesses

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Go/No-Go Test

Important Note & Disclaimer

Response inhibition and impulse control are influenced by various factors including age, cognitive state, fatigue, and practice effects. Test results reflect your performance at a single point in time. Multiple test sessions provide more reliable insights into your cognitive patterns.

Disclaimer: This Go/No-Go test is for educational and self-awareness purposes only and has no medical diagnostic function. Results cannot replace professional psychological evaluation or clinical assessment. If you have concerns about attention, impulse control, or executive function, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or neuropsychologist.

Improve Your Impulse Control

Regular practice with the Go/No-Go Test can help strengthen your mental brakes and boost focus

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