Global Mind Tests

3 and 8 Cancellation Test

Measure selective attention, sustained attention, visual scanning and precision

3 and 8 Cancellation Test Online

In this attention cancellation test, you must cross out every 3 and 8 as quickly and accurately as possible. This version uses a 3-minute timer and tracks speed, omissions, commission errors and a site score for progress.

Time left03:00
Cross out every 3 and 8
correct target wrong mark missed

How to interpret your score

Your score reflects both speed and accuracy. Higher scores usually mean you found more target numbers quickly and made fewer mistakes.

What does this test measure?

  • Selective attention: you must keep responding to 3 and 8 while ignoring non-target digits.
  • Sustained attention: the task lasts long enough to show whether concentration stays stable or fades with time.
  • Visual scanning: performance depends on how efficiently you search across rows and columns to find targets.
  • Precision and error control: omissions and false marks reveal whether mistakes come from missed targets, impulsive clicking, or inconsistent search.

What skills can this improve?

Repeated cancellation-style practice can support more systematic scanning, steadier concentration, and cleaner response control during repetitive visual work. It can also complement broader attention training with tasks such as Poppelreuter Table and Filtering Task.

What affects your results

Your results can be affected by fatigue, distractions, visual search strategy, and how consistently you work through the grid.

Tips for reliable results

For better results, test in a quiet place, avoid distractions, and scan the grid in a consistent line-by-line pattern. Focus on accuracy first, then maintain a steady pace.

Scientific background

Cancellation tasks are widely used in attention research and neuropsychology because they combine target selection, scanning speed, and error monitoring in one compact format. They are also common in discussions of visuospatial neglect and rehabilitation. For open-access background, see this review of spatial neglect, a paper on cancellation-task severity measures, and our broader article on attention and distractions.

FAQ

How long does the test take?

This version uses a 3-minute timer, which matches the common paper format used in 3/8 attention testing.

What counts as an omission?

An omission means a 3 or 8 was present on the board but you did not cross it out before time ran out.

What counts as a wrong mark?

A wrong mark means you crossed out a digit that was not 3 or 8.

Try also

For related attention tasks, try Precision Click Test, Stroop, or browse the blog for more articles on attention, distraction, and cognitive self-tracking.

For training and self-tracking only; not a clinical or diagnostic instrument.