Free online working memory test
Chimp Test
Take the famous Chimp Test to see if your working memory can match a chimpanzee's. Remember number positions after they disappear and click them in order. Free, no signup required.
Reference range
Level 5-7
Fast range
Level 10+
The signal
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.
A simple loop
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
What it trains
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
Make the next rep useful
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
Keep exploring
Related games
Context
Learn more
Go deeper on the skill, then return when you are ready for another clean baseline.
Keep the signal moving
Go beyond one good score.
Unlimited practice across all 12 tests, so your baseline gets clearer with every session.
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Questions
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.