A new multitasking test (M-TASK) is available in the Vienna Test System. It is one of the SCHUHFRIED Selection tests and has been developed for personnel selection, particularly in safety-critical professions such as the military, aviation and transport.
The new multitasking test in the Vienna Test System
A new Test has been available in the Vienna Test System since March 2026: the Multitasking Test (M-TASK). It measures the ability to cope with several cognitive demands simultaneously and maintain a stable level of performance across all tasks.
The Test can be easily performed on the PC or laptop – no additional hardware is required. During a test period of around 18 minutes, test subjects work on three tasks at the same time, creating real multitasking challenges. The challenge for the test subjects is to find a maintain a balanced and high level of performance across all three types of task. Working memory, processing speed and visual-spatial processing are required.
The M-TASK combines three different task types that are presented simultaneously:
Channel A – Planning and prioritization task
Geometric symbols appear in a dynamic queue. Test subjects must select these according to defined priority rules (triangles before squares, squares before circles). The irregular presentation requires continuous monitoring and quick decisions.
Channel B – arithmetic task
Simple addition and subtraction tasks are presented at irregular intervals. The missing operand must be selected from four possible answers within a time limit.
Channel C – Symbol matching task
Three symbols must be arranged using drag-and-drop so that they correspond exactly to a target arrangement.
