Go/No-Go Reaction Test
Measure your impulse control and response inhibition. React to green targets, withhold your response to red. A classic neuroscience task for assessing executive function.
About the Go/No-Go Paradigm
The Go/No-Go task is one of the most widely used paradigms in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. It measures two distinct cognitive abilities at once: how fast you respond to a target stimulus (go reaction time) and how well you can suppress an automatic response when presented with a non-target stimulus (inhibitory control).
In this test, a circle appears on screen. A green circle is a Go signal — click it as fast as possible. A red circle is a No-Go signal — hold back and do not click. Failing to inhibit a no-go response is called a "false alarm" and reflects impulsive behavior. Missing a go stimulus reflects inattention.
Ready to test your impulse control?
Click green circles as fast as you can. Do not click red circles. 10 trials per session.
Go/No-Go Norms by Age
Average Go/No-Go reaction times and accuracy rates vary by age. These benchmarks reflect published research in cognitive neuroscience.
| Age Group | Avg Go Time | Avg Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 15–24 | 310 ms | 95% |
| 25–34 | 330 ms | 94% |
| 35–44 | 350 ms | 92% |
| 45–54 | 375 ms | 90% |
| 55–64 | 400 ms | 87% |
| 65+ | 440 ms | 83% |
How to Take the Go/No-Go Test
- 1 Click Start — Begin a new session of 10 trials.
- 2 Wait for the stimulus — A colored circle appears after a random delay. Stay alert.
- 3 Click green (Go) — React as quickly as possible when a green circle appears.
- 4 Ignore red (No-Go) — Do not click when a red circle appears. Hold your impulse.
- 5 Review and save — After all trials, see your reaction time and accuracy. Save to track progress over time.
Who Uses Go/No-Go Testing?
ADHD Assessment
The Go/No-Go task is a standard tool for evaluating inhibitory control deficits associated with ADHD and other attention disorders.
Sports Training
Athletes use Go/No-Go tests to sharpen decision-making speed and reduce false starts in sports that require split-second reaction and restraint.
Driving Fitness
Inhibitory control is critical for safe driving. Go/No-Go performance predicts the ability to avoid collisions that require withholding an action.
Cognitive Research
Researchers use Go/No-Go tasks to study prefrontal cortex function, aging effects on executive control, and treatment outcomes in clinical studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Go/No-Go test measure?
The Go/No-Go test measures two things simultaneously: reaction speed to go stimuli and inhibitory control for no-go stimuli. It assesses your ability to suppress automatic responses — a core component of executive function.
What is a false alarm in the Go/No-Go test?
A false alarm occurs when you click on a red (no-go) stimulus. It reflects impulsive responding — your brain initiated a motor response before completing the inhibition process. High false alarm rates are associated with impulsivity.
How is accuracy calculated?
Accuracy is the percentage of trials answered correctly. Correct responses include: clicking green (go) targets within the time limit and NOT clicking red (no-go) targets. Both missed go trials and false alarms on no-go trials count as errors.
Is my data private?
Yes. All processing happens entirely in your browser. Your test results are saved only in your device's localStorage and are never transmitted to any server.
How does Go/No-Go differ from a simple reaction test?
Simple reaction tests only measure speed — you always respond to every stimulus. The Go/No-Go test adds a decision layer: you must distinguish between go and no-go stimuli and inhibit your response when appropriate. This makes it far more sensitive to executive function and impulse control.