MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

A structured SFST is designed to do what to the subject?

1. Divide their attention

2. Increase their focus

3. Test their balance

4. Engage them cognitively

The correct answer is: Divide their attention

The structured Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) are primarily designed to assess a subject's ability to divide their attention. This means that the tests require individuals to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as maintaining balance while following instructions and observing a specific target. The concept behind dividing attention is rooted in the understanding that alcohol and certain drugs impair cognitive functions and motor skills, hindering a person's ability to process information and react appropriately to stimuli. During the SFST, the subject must listen to the officer’s instructions and execute the physical tasks required of them, which puts a strain on their attentional resources. By observing how well a subject can manage these tasks under layers of distraction, law enforcement officers can gauge potential impairment due to alcohol or drugs. While elements of the tests might also test balance or cognitive engagement, the core purpose remains focused on the dual-task nature that evaluates the subject's divided attention capabilities.