Validation of the Competitive Attention Test: Behavioral reliability and construct-relevant associations across the lifespan

The Competitive Attention Test (CAT) assesses distractibility by capturing both top-down and bottom-up attentional control using ecologically relevant stimuli. To validate its psychometric properties, we conducted two experiments examining construct-relevant reliability and validity evidence in a lifespan sample (ages 6-89). Experiment 1 assessed internal consistency (N = 520) and inter-rater reliability (N = 114), confirming coherent clustering and examiner stability of indices related to speed, variability, phasic arousal, and accuracy. Experiment 2 evaluated short-term test-retest reliability (N = 79), concurrent validity (N = 38) with established attention measures (TAP-M, KiTAP) and divergent validity relative to broader cognitive abilities (WISC, WAIS). Most indices showed temporal stability, meaningful associations with attention-specific constructs and minimal overlap with reasoning abilities. These findings support the CAT as a reliable, theoretically informed measure of attentional control, with an ecologically valid design suited to research and potential clinical assessments of distractibility from 6 to 90-year-old.