A short browser practice session
For people who want a structured updating task rather than memorizing an entire list. Try 1-back first to learn the response rhythm, then change N only when you understand the rule.
N-back
Follow positions on a nine-cell grid and decide whether each matches the position N steps earlier. Try visual 1-, 2- or 3-back with twenty scored trials.
About this exercise
Visual N-back asks you to compare the current position with the position N steps earlier. Keep updating that short position history as the highlighted cell moves around the nine-cell grid. This tool uses one visual stream, not an audio-visual dual N-back task.
This is practice on a specific task, not a medical assessment or IQ test. Results depend on settings, device, input method and familiarity. Compare like-for-like sessions; a higher score does not establish general cognitive improvement.
Who this is for
Choose the task that fits what you want to practise.
Come back to the same setup
Compare sessions with the same settings, language and input method. Review accuracy and unanswered trials before response time. These are task results, not population norms or a measure of intelligence.
History and privacy
The latest 10 local sessions are kept on this device. Signed-in sessions are saved to your account; guest sessions can be imported after review. No digits, positions, words or answers are uploaded.
How to practise: N-back
- Choose N=1, 2 or 3 and a pace of 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5 seconds per position. This is single visual N-back, not dual N-back.
- Remember the first N warm-up positions. They do not require an answer and do not count toward the twenty scored trials.
- For every subsequent position, choose Match or No match (keyboard M or N). Compare with N steps earlier, not merely the previous position. Each position flashes for 500 ms; the response window continues at the chosen pace.
- Give one answer per scored trial. An unanswered window is a miss. Six of twenty trials are matches. Review accuracy alongside hits, false alarms and unanswered trials.
Understanding your results
Accuracy counts every scored trial, including unanswered trials. Response time is the median of answered trials and is shown alongside accuracy, never as a substitute for it.
This is practice on a specific task, not a medical assessment or IQ test. Results depend on settings, device, input method and familiarity. Compare like-for-like sessions; a higher score does not establish general cognitive improvement.
History and privacy
The latest 10 local sessions are kept on this device. Signed-in sessions are saved to your account; guest sessions can be imported after review. No digits, positions, words or answers are uploaded.
Understanding your results
Use the metrics together. Faster answers with more mistakes do not necessarily represent better task performance.
| Metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Correct | Correct answers out of all scored trials. Wrong and unanswered trials remain in the total. |
| Median response | The middle response time among answered trials, including wrong answers. Unanswered trials are excluded. |
| Hits / false alarms | Hits are correctly identified matching positions. False alarms are Match answers to non-matching positions. Missing a window is counted separately. |
Choose your settings
Choose 1-, 2- or 3-back and 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5 seconds per position. The first N positions are unscored warm-up. Then answer twenty trials; six are matches. Each highlight lasts 500 ms and you may answer during the remaining window.
Practice tips
N-back
Answer both matches and non-matches. Do not compare only with the previous position in 2- or 3-back. A slower pace gives more time per decision without changing the 500 ms flash.
Come back to the same setup
Compare sessions with the same settings, language and input method. Review accuracy and unanswered trials before response time. These are task results, not population norms or a measure of intelligence.
Take a break when needed
Pause or open the guide when you need a break. Resume the same trial when ready; paused time is excluded.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the task, settings and saved results.
Is this dual N-back?
No. This is single visual N-back using positions only. There is no simultaneous sound or letter stream.
Can I practise without an account?
The latest 10 local sessions are kept on this device. Signed-in sessions are saved to your account; guest sessions can be imported after review. No digits, positions, words or answers are uploaded.
How should I compare my results?
Compare sessions with the same settings, language and input method. Review accuracy and unanswered trials before response time. These are task results, not population norms or a measure of intelligence.
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