Chimp Test
Remember the position of numbers in order after they disappear. Can you beat a chimp?
About Chimp Test
The Chimp Test is based on a famous 2007 study by Kyoto University researcher Tetsuro Matsuzawa, which showed that young chimpanzees can outperform adult humans at a specific short-term memory task. Numbers appear on a grid and are quickly hidden - you must click their positions in ascending order. Most humans struggle past level 7, while chimps consistently reach level 9.
How to play
Follow the same short sequence each time so the score stays easy to understand.
- 01Numbers appear at random positions on a grid
- 02Memorize the positions of all numbers quickly
- 03The numbers disappear after a brief display
- 04Click the hidden positions in ascending order (1, 2, 3...)
- 05Each successful round adds one more number
Benefits
- Test your photographic-like short-term memory
- Challenge your spatial working memory limits
- Compare your memory with chimpanzee performance
- Train rapid visual information encoding
- Improve ability to process information under pressure
Tips for better scores
- Try to take a 'mental snapshot' of the entire grid at once
- Focus on clusters of numbers rather than individual positions
- Use spatial relationships between numbers to remember positions
- Don't try to verbalize the positions - rely on visual memory
- Practice regularly - the skill improves significantly with training
Related games
Learn more
Go deeper on the skill, then return when you are ready for another clean baseline.
Frequently asked questions
Can chimps really beat humans at memory tasks?+
Yes, specifically at this task. Researcher Tetsuro Matsuzawa demonstrated that young chimpanzees can memorize the positions of numbers displayed for just 210 milliseconds - far faster than most adult humans can process. This is attributed to their eidetic (photographic) memory, which humans largely lose during childhood development.
What is a good score on the Chimp Test?+
Level 5-7 is average for adult humans. Level 8-9 matches average chimpanzee performance. Level 10+ is exceptional and puts you ahead of most chimps. Very few humans consistently reach level 12+.
Why are chimps better at this than humans?+
The leading theory is that chimps retain eidetic (photographic) memory into adulthood, while humans trade this ability for language processing during brain development. Our brains essentially reallocated the neural resources used for instant visual memory to support complex language and abstract reasoning.
Can I train to beat a chimp's score?+
With consistent practice, many humans can reach and exceed chimpanzee-level performance (level 8-9). The key is training your rapid visual encoding skills through daily practice sessions of 10-15 minutes.