Which test is a common method for assessing reaction time?

The ruler drop test is widely recognized as a practical and effective measurement of reaction time. In this test, a partner holds a ruler vertically and lets it drop without warning. The participant must catch the ruler as quickly as possible when they see it fall. The distance that the ruler falls before being caught is then measured, and this distance is inversely related to reaction time—the quicker the catch, the shorter the distance fallen. This straightforward approach allows for a direct assessment of the speed at which a person can respond to an unexpected stimulus.

The other tests listed serve different fitness components. The vertical jump test evaluates lower body power; the wall toss test assesses hand-eye coordination; and the 40-yard dash measures sprinting speed. None of these specifically target or effectively measure reaction time in the same immediate and dynamic manner as the ruler drop test does.