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A continuous performance task is a set of tests used in the field of psychology. It is used to measure a person’s attention level. Apart from this it also measures other things like impulsiveness, focus-time, and all behaviors related to sustained attention.
Some of the common common performance tasks are Integrated Visual and Auditory CPT (IVA+Plus), Test of Variables of Attention (T.O.V.A.) and the Conners’ CPT-II.
These are some of the tests amongst a host of other tests to check a person’s attention level. Such tests diagnose problems associated with a person’s concentration and attention level. It will also measure the person’s ability to process, organize, and deal with all kinds of information.
Each test may have different periodicity. The stimulus engaged in such tests will also defer. A common component of all tests, is the providence of a boring activity, and subjecting the person to maintain controlled attention and effective rendering of the activity.
In-between such tasks, a lot of triggers to divert attention are brought in. The person must maintain a degree of consistency in the attention span and must not divert from the activity in focus.
Visual and auditory tests such as the Integrated Visual and Auditory CPT (IVA+Plus) use sounds to test a person’s attention level. By presenting a visual image or an audio stimulus, the person should respond by invoking the similar sound or image on a computer.
Tests are adjudicated based on the attention capacity, variations, and omissions. Where omissions deal with how much the person was distracted.
