How the test works
- Click to start. Five red lights come on one at a time, one per second.
- After the fifth light, there's a random pause.
- When all the lights go out, click as fast as you can.
- Clicking while the lights are still on is a jump start and the try is repeated. Your score is the average of 3 tries.
What it measures
This is the start sequence used in Formula 1. Like the reaction time test, it measures how fast you respond to a visual signal, but the build-up of lights makes it much harder not to anticipate. Drivers react to lights out in roughly 200 ms.
What is a good score?
| Score | Faster than about |
|---|---|
| 191 ms | 99% of people (top 1%) |
| 230 ms | 90% of people (top 10%) |
| 257 ms | 75% of people |
| 290 ms | 50% of people (average) |
| 327 ms | 25% of people |
Estimated from typical scores for this kind of test.
Tips to improve
- Watch the lights, not the countdown in your head; the final pause is random.
- Rest your finger on the button so only the click is left.
- Expect a few jump starts at first. Staying patient is part of the skill.
- Use a desktop screen and wired mouse for the fairest score.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good F1 reaction time?
Around 290 ms is typical on this test. Under 250 ms puts you in roughly the top 20%, and under 200 ms is in the top 2%, close to a real F1 driver.
How long is the pause before lights out?
Anywhere from 0.2 to 3 seconds, chosen at random each time, so you can't time it.
What counts as a jump start?
Any click while the lights are still on. In real F1 the timing system flags a jump start if a car moves before lights out.