Cue Shift
Read the sign, compare that one feature of two marks, and say whether it is the same or different.
Focus & speed · All ages
Compare the part named on the sign, then tap Same or Different.
About this game
Cue Shift is a mental-flexibility game. A sign tells you which feature to compare, such as the number of dots, the colour or the shape, and you tap Same or Different for the two marks in front of you. Then the sign changes.
It is based on cued task switching, where you have to change what you are paying attention to from one moment to the next. Switching costs time and accuracy, and the game measures how well you handle it.
How to play
- Read the sign to see which feature to compare.
- Look at the two marks and compare only that feature.
- Tap Same or Different. The sign will change, so read it every time.
Tips
- Read the sign before looking at the pair.
- Ignore differences in the other features. They are there to distract you.
- When the sign changes, pause a moment to reset your attention.
How it adapts
Kids get slower pacing and fewer features to switch between. Teens and adults get faster pacing and a third feature at higher levels. The pace adjusts to how you play.
Questions
What is task switching?
It is changing from one task or rule to another, such as moving from answering an email to joining a call. Switching usually costs a little time.
Why is there a time limit?
The limit keeps you working at speed, so accuracy under a little pressure is what the score shows.
How many features do I switch between?
You compare one feature at a time, and the sign tells you which. At higher levels there are three possible features to keep track of.
The research behind it
Task-switching experiments show that changing rules costs time and accuracy. Practice makes you better at this game's kind of switching; we do not promise wider mental flexibility.
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