Chimp Test: Can You Beat a Chimpanzee at Memory?
Numbers appear on the board. Study them for as long as you like, then tap 1 and the rest are covered. Tap the hidden numbers in order from memory.
This free chimp memory test is inspired by Kyoto University research on chimpanzee working memory. It challenges your visual memory and sequence memory. How many numbers can you clear?
Lives:
Your best: –
Think you can beat a chimp?
Here is a level with four numbers. Study the positions, then tap 1 to cover the rest:
Then tap the covered squares in order: 1, 2, 3, 4. You have 3 lives, and each level adds one more number. It takes about 3 minutes.
Memorise the positions
Tap 1 to begin.
Highest level cleared
numbers remembered
Good
Please enable JavaScript to play the chimp test.
How the chimp test works
- Study the board. Numbered squares appear in random positions. The test starts with four numbers, and you can take as long as you need.
- Tap 1 to begin. As soon as you tap number 1, the other numbers are covered.
- Tap in order. Tap the covered squares in number order, from memory.
- Level up. Each level adds one more number. A wrong tap costs one of your three lives, reveals the board and restarts the level with a new layout.
Your score is the highest number of squares you cleared. Your personal best is saved in your own browser, so you can come back and beat it.
Where does the chimp test come from?
The chimp test is inspired by research led by Tetsuro Matsuzawa and Sana Inoue at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute. In a well-known 2007 study, young chimpanzees, including a chimp named Ayumu, learned to touch numerals in order on a touchscreen. When the numerals were replaced by white squares after a very brief glimpse, the young chimps outperformed human adults at remembering where each number had been.
The finding made headlines around the world, but it is often oversimplified. It does not show that chimpanzees are smarter than people. It was a small study of a specific skill, some researchers have argued that practice explains part of the gap, and humans excel at many other kinds of thinking. This online version also lets you study the board for as long as you like, so it is a fun homage rather than the original experiment.
What does the chimp test measure?
The chimp test challenges several parts of your working memory at once:
- Visual working memory: holding the positions of many squares in mind.
- Sequence memory: remembering the order in which to tap them.
- Attention and scanning: taking in the whole board quickly and accurately.
Chimp test scores: what is a good result?
There is no official average for this online version, because scores depend on how the game is set up. Use the table below as a guide to how many numbers you cleared.
| Numbers cleared | Rating | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 4 | Warming up | Everyone starts here. Building a route between the numbers helps a lot. |
| 5 to 6 | Good | A solid result with a reliable memory strategy. |
| 7 to 8 | Very good | You are holding many positions at once. |
| 9 to 11 | Excellent | Strong visual working memory and sequence memory. |
| 12 or more | Exceptional | Boards this large are hard to clear. |
These bands are a guide for this game, not a clinical scale. Your score can change from day to day with focus and tiredness, so look at your trend over several attempts.
How to improve your score on the chimp test
Build a route, not a list
Do not memorise each square separately. Trace an imaginary path from 1 to 2 to 3 and so on, and remember the route as one shape.
Group the numbers into clusters
Notice which numbers sit close together, such as “1, 2 and 3 are on the left”. Remembering three clusters is easier than remembering nine separate squares.
Use your study time well
You have no time limit in the study phase, so use it. Scan the board in a fixed direction, such as left to right, and check your route once before tapping 1.
Stay calm and keep practising
- Short, regular sessions build skill faster than one long one.
- Sleep well and play somewhere quiet.
- If you lose a life, use the revealed board to see exactly what you missed.
Chimp test FAQs and more brain games
Want to challenge other skills? Try our related brain games below.
What is the chimp test?
The chimp test is an online working memory game inspired by research at Kyoto University. Numbers appear on a board, and after you tap number 1 the rest are covered. You then tap the hidden numbers in order from memory.
Are chimpanzees really better than humans at this test?
In a well-known 2007 study by Inoue and Matsuzawa, young chimpanzees outperformed human adults at remembering where numerals appeared when they were shown for a fraction of a second. It does not mean chimps are smarter overall. The study was small, later researchers pointed out that practice matters, and this online game lets you study for as long as you like, so it is not the same experiment.
What is a good score on the chimp test?
Clearing 7 or 8 numbers is a very good result and 9 or more is excellent. There is no official average for this online version, so treat the ratings as a guide and compare your own scores over time.
How does the chimp test work?
Study the numbered squares for as long as you need, then tap number 1. The other numbers are covered straight away, so tap the squares in order from memory. Each level adds one more number.
How many lives do I have?
You have three lives for the whole test. A wrong tap costs one life, reveals the numbers and restarts that level with a new layout. The test ends when you run out of lives.
How can I improve my score on the chimp test?
Do not memorise squares one by one. Link them into a route or cluster, scan the board in a fixed direction, and take your time in the study phase. Regular short sessions and good sleep also help.
Who is Ayumu the chimpanzee?
Ayumu is a young chimpanzee at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute who became famous for remembering the positions of numerals in memory tests. He is often shown in videos about the chimp test.
Does the chimp test measure IQ?
No. It tests visual working memory and sequence memory, which are only part of overall cognitive ability. This game does not produce an IQ score.
Is the chimp test free?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up and runs in your browser. Your personal best is stored only on your own device.
This chimp test is provided for education and entertainment. It is not a clinical or diagnostic tool and does not measure IQ. If you are worried about your memory, please speak to a qualified health professional.