Number Sequence Memory
Memorize and recall growing sequences of numbers.
Play now →N-Back Test
The gold-standard working memory task, in its 2-back form. Squares light up one at a time — press MATCH when the current position, together with the previous one, repeats a sequence of two from earlier in the round. Every round includes several genuine matches. Good luck; you'll need it.
0
Hits
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False alarms
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Best
Press Start
A square lights up in the grid — spot the 2-back repeats.
Press Space or click MATCH. Score = hits − false alarms.
How to play
- Press Start — a square lights up somewhere on the 3×3 grid, every 2 seconds.
- Track the last two positions in your head.
- Press MATCH (or Space) when the current position, together with the previous one, forms a sequence of two that appeared before in the earlier part of the round. Press during that square's 2-second window — while it is lit or after it goes dark, both count.
- Every round includes several genuine match moments, so there is always something to catch — the skill is catching them without pressing by mistake.
- Each round has 20 stimuli; your score is hits minus false alarms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the N-back task?
N-back is the classic working memory challenge: stimuli appear one at a time and you signal whenever the current one matches the one N steps earlier. This version is 2-back with positions on a 3×3 grid — press MATCH when the current position, together with the previous one, forms a sequence of two that appeared before in the earlier part of the round.
Why is 2-back so hard?
You must continuously update a mental buffer: hold the last two positions, compare, then shift everything back. That constant refreshing is exactly what makes it a demanding measure of working memory — missing a few matches is normal.
What is a good score?
Catching 3–4 matches with few false alarms is a solid round; 6 is near-perfect. Every round includes several genuine match moments, so there is always something worth watching for. The score is hits minus false alarms, so random pressing gains nothing.
Does N-back training make you smarter?
Honest answer: the evidence is mixed. Early studies suggested gains in fluid intelligence, but replications found the transfer is narrow — you get better at N-back and similar updating tasks. It remains a fine focus workout, just not a magic pill.
Should I press on every stimulus just in case?
No — false alarms subtract from your score. Wild pressing scores 0. The strategy is to press only on real confidence, since a missed match costs nothing extra but a wrong press costs a point.