A handful of numbers are scattered across a grid. The moment you tap 1, every other number is covered up, so you need to have their positions locked in before you start. Clear the round and one more number is added. Get the order wrong and you lose a life. Three strikes and you’re out.
Why “chimp” test?
Researchers at Kyoto University gave young chimpanzees a task very much like this one, and some of them remembered the layout in a flash, outperforming the human volunteers. The experiment became famous, and the name stuck.
How many is good?
You start with 4 numbers. Most people hit a wall somewhere between 7 and 9. Getting past 10 means your short-term visual memory is strong, and 13 or more is close to a photographic snapshot.
Tips for going further
Stop memorizing numbers one at a time and look at the whole pattern instead. Group them into shapes, like “three in a triangle at the top left.” There’s no timer before your first tap, so take a proper look before you commit.
FAQ
- Is there a time limit?
- Not before your first tap. Study the grid as long as you like, then tap 1 when you’re ready.
- How is the score calculated?
- Your score is the largest set of numbers you completed. Your best is saved in this browser only.
