Chimp Test

1. Click Start to begin.
2. Numbers appear briefly on a grid.
3. The numbers disappear and are replaced by filled squares.
4. Click the squares in ascending numerical order (1, 2, 3...).
5. Each level adds one more number to track.
6. One wrong click ends the test.
7. Your score is the highest level completed.

Tip: Focus on the spatial positions of the numbers rather than trying to read each one individually. Chunking nearby numbers into groups can help you recall their order.

Understanding Your Score

The Chimp Test is inspired by research at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University, where chimpanzees demonstrated remarkable short-term memory for numerical sequences. In the original study by Inoue and Matsuzawa (2007), young chimpanzees outperformed adult humans at recalling the positions of briefly displayed numbers — even when the numbers were shown for just 210 milliseconds. This test measures your visuospatial working memory: the ability to hold and process spatial information in real time, primarily engaging the prefrontal cortex and parietal regions.

Tips for Improvement

• Focus on spatial positions — map the numbers to their grid locations rather than memorizing digits alone.
• Chunk nearby numbers — group clusters of adjacent numbers to reduce cognitive load.
• Don't rush — accuracy matters more than speed. Take a moment before each click.
• Practice regularly — visuospatial working memory improves with consistent training.
• Trace a mental path — visualize a route through the numbers in order before clicking.