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Arctic Shores Direction Game Practice: Follow the Centre Arrow

Practise the Arctic Shores Direction game, also called the arrow game: press Q or P for the centre arrow while distractors flash and the pace speeds up.

Practice: 80 rounds, about 2.5 minutes (guided: 12 rounds)Also called “arrows game”Also called “arrow game”

How the practice task works

  1. 01Three rows of arrows flash up. Only the arrow in the very centre matters.
  2. 02Press Q if the centre arrow points left and P if it points right.
  3. 03If the centre arrow is surrounded by Xs, press nothing.
  4. 04Each round moves on at a fixed pace, so a missed round simply counts as too slow. Rounds get faster as you go.

Controls

  • Q = centre arrow points left
  • P = centre arrow points right
  • X round: press nothing (reported rule)
  • Phone: tap Left or Right

Included in the HireVue Games Prep and Full Access plans, with all 11 HireVue games. See plans

Task
Respond to the direction of the centre arrow and ignore the arrows around it
What it reportedly measures
Focused attention and impulse control under time pressure (candidate-reported)
Reported length
About 2–3 minutes, roughly 80 rounds
Practice version
80-round realistic run, or 12 guided rounds with feedback
Controls
Q for left, P for right; tap buttons on a phone

What the Direction task tests

Direction, often called the arrow game, is a flanker task. Candidates describe rows of arrows flashing on screen, and you decide which way the arrow in the centre points, pressing Q for left and P for right. The arrows around it often point the other way or change shape, and the rounds come faster as the task goes on. Arctic Shores’ own help centre refers to the “task with arrows (Direction)” and tells candidates to use the Q and P keys rather than clicking the icons.

Arctic Shores does not publish what Direction measures. Prep sites describe it as a test of focused attention, ignoring distractions and holding back an impulsive response. Several sources also report X rounds, where the centre arrow is surrounded by Xs and you should not respond. That rule comes from prep sites rather than Arctic Shores, so check the instructions in your own assessment.

How the Direction practice works

  1. Pick guided practice for 12 slower rounds with feedback, or the realistic run for 80 rounds with no feedback until the end.
  2. Watch the dot in the middle of the screen. When the arrows appear, look only at the centre one.
  3. Press Q if it points left or P if it points right. On a phone, tap Left or Right.
  4. If Xs surround the centre arrow, press nothing and let the round pass.
  5. Each round has a fixed time, so pressing too early, too late or the wrong way all count against you. The arrows show for less time in each block of 20.
  6. Review your accuracy per block, reaction time and how much the opposing arrows slowed you down.

Direction tips

  • Keep your eyes on the centre of the screen between rounds, so the target arrow is already where you are looking.
  • Rest your left index finger on Q and your right on P before you start, and keep them there.
  • Do not press during the dot. Anticipating the arrows is reportedly counted as an error.
  • When the arrows around the centre point the other way, accept that you will be a little slower and aim for accuracy first.
  • If you miss a round, let it go. Accuracy in the next round matters more than the one you just lost.
  • Use a physical keyboard if you can. Touch screens can add a small delay.

Common Direction mistakes

  • Responding to the overall direction of the crowd of arrows instead of the single centre arrow.
  • Clicking the on-screen icons with a mouse on a computer, which Arctic Shores’ help centre warns against.
  • Pressing on X rounds out of habit.
  • Speeding up after a mistake and making a second one straight away.
  • Looking down at the keyboard, which costs the short time the arrows are visible.

A short Direction practice routine

  1. Run the guided practice once to fix the Q and P mapping and the X-round rule.
  2. Do one realistic run and note your accuracy in block 4, where the arrows show for the shortest time.
  3. Repeat the realistic run on another day and compare accuracy just after a mistake.
  4. Before the real assessment, complete the official practice task in your invitation.

Direction FAQ

Are the Arctic Shores arrow game and Direction the same task?

Yes. Most candidate guides use “Direction” and “Arrows” for the same task, and Arctic Shores’ help centre refers to the task with arrows as Direction. One prep site lists them separately, but its two descriptions are almost identical.

Which keys does Direction use?

Q for left and P for right, according to Arctic Shores’ help centre, which also advises against clicking the on-screen icons. On a phone you tap on screen.

What should you do on X rounds?

Prep sites report that you should not respond when the centre arrow is surrounded by Xs. Arctic Shores has not published this rule, so follow the instructions on your own screen if they differ.

Should you practise for Arctic Shores?

Arctic Shores says you do not need to practise and should respond naturally. Practice can make the keys, the X rounds and the pace familiar so they do not distract you. Candidate Falcon does not claim it changes your Arctic Shores results.

How are Direction results reported?

Arctic Shores does not publish task-level scoring. If your employer shares feedback, Arctic Shores says it shows behaviours on a 1 to 10 spectrum compared with a norm group. Candidate Falcon’s summary shows only your own accuracy and timing.

Practise other Arctic Shores tasks

Arctic Shores does not publish its task list, so task names and mechanics on this page come from candidate reports. Candidate Falcon is not affiliated with Arctic Shores, and practice results are not Arctic Shores scores. For the official facts on results, devices and adjustments, read the Arctic Shores assessment guide.