Verbal Memory Test: Free Online Word Memory Game

Q: What is a verbal memory test?

A verbal memory test measures how well you remember words. In this version, words appear one at a time and you decide whether each one is new or has appeared before. It tests verbal recognition memory and how well you resist confusion as the list grows.

Q: How does the verbal memory test work?

Each word is either new or one you have already seen in this game. Click NEW or SEEN. Correct answers score a point, and each mistake costs one of your three lives. The game ends when all three lives are gone.

Q: What is a good verbal memory test score?

On this game, 41 to 60 is a good score, 61 to 99 is strong and 100 or more is exceptional. A first attempt of 21 to 40 is typical. These bands are a rough guide, not a scientific norm.

Q: How can I improve my verbal memory?

Think about each word's meaning, picture it as a vivid image and link words into a story. Deeper processing makes words much easier to remember. Good sleep and a calm, focused mind also help.

Q: Is verbal memory related to IQ?

Partly. Memory is one of the abilities included in full IQ tests, and different memory skills tend to be related. But a verbal memory game measures one narrow skill and is not an IQ score.

Q: Does verbal memory decline with age?

Memory for new lists of words tends to peak in early adulthood and decline gradually, while vocabulary often keeps growing into later life. A sudden change in memory is worth discussing with a doctor.

Q: What is the difference between recognition and recall?

Recognition means identifying something you have seen before, as in this game. Recall means producing it from memory without prompts, such as listing words you were shown earlier. Recognition is usually much easier than recall.

Q: Can I use the keyboard?

Yes. On a computer, press S for seen and N for new. On a phone or tablet, tap the buttons.

Q: Is this verbal memory test free?

Yes. The game and your personal best are free, with no account or email needed. Your best score is saved only on your own device.

Home / Brain Games / Verbal Memory Test
Verbal Memory Test: Free Online Word Memory Game
Words appear one at a time. Has this word appeared before, or is it new? Click SEEN or NEW. You have three lives, and every correct answer scores a point. How many words can you keep track of?
Free
About 3 minutes
No sign-up
Works on phone and computer
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How to play the verbal memory test
Press Start. A word appears in the middle of the screen.
Decide: seen or new? If the word has already appeared during this game, click SEEN. If it is appearing for the first time, click NEW.
Keep going. Each correct answer adds one point. Words you have seen keep coming back, mixed in with new ones.
You have three lives. Each mistake costs a life. When all three are gone, the game ends and your score is saved as your personal best on this device.
On a computer you can use the keyboard: press S for seen and N for new.
What is a verbal memory test?
A verbal memory test measures how well you remember words. This version tests recognition memory: your ability to tell whether you have encountered something before. As the list of words you have seen grows, it gets harder to keep them apart from new ones, so the test also measures how well you resist interference from similar items.
Psychologists use more formal verbal memory tests in clinical assessments. The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, first described by André Rey in the 1940s, reads a list of 15 words aloud and asks people to recall them over several trials. The California Verbal Learning Test uses a similar approach with words from different categories. These tests help assess memory after a head injury, for example, or when memory problems are suspected. Our online game is a fun practice version, not a clinical test.
Recognition vs recall: why this test feels easy at first
Recognising a word is much easier than recalling it from scratch. In a classic 1967 experiment, the psychologist Roger Shepard showed people more than 500 words and then tested them on pairs. They correctly picked the word they had seen about 88% of the time. Recalling even a short list without any prompts is far harder.
That is why the first 20 or so words in this game feel easy. The challenge comes as your list of seen words grows into the dozens, and words start to blur together. A high score depends on keeping a clear record of every word, not just the recent ones.
What is a good verbal memory score?
Use this table as a rough guide to your result:
Score Rating What it suggests
100 or more Exceptional Outstanding verbal memory and focus. Very few players get this far.
61 to 99 Strong Well above a typical first attempt. You are probably using a memory strategy.
41 to 60 Good A solid score that most players reach with some practice.
21 to 40 Typical A normal result for a first or second attempt.
0 to 20 Getting started Try again when you are relaxed. Scores usually rise quickly with practice.
These ratings are a guide for this game only. They are not based on a representative population sample and are not a clinical measure.
How to improve your verbal memory
Think about the meaning. Research on "levels of processing" by Fergus Craik and Robert Lockhart found that words you think about deeply are remembered far better than words you only glance at. Ask yourself one quick question about each word.
Picture each word. Turning a word into a vivid image, such as a lantern glowing in the dark, gives your memory a second hook.
Link words into a story. Connecting new words to ones you have already seen makes the whole list easier to keep straight.
Don't rush. There is no time limit. A one-second pause before answering prevents most careless mistakes.
Sleep well. Sleep helps the brain consolidate new memories, and tiredness makes recognition errors more likely.
Does verbal memory change with age?
Yes, but not in a simple way. Research by Timothy Salthouse and others shows that memory for new information, such as a list of words, tends to peak in early adulthood and decline gradually from there. Vocabulary and general knowledge, on the other hand, usually keep growing well into later life. So older players may know more words but find it a little harder to keep track of a long new list.
If you notice a sudden or worrying change in your memory, speak to a doctor. A game like this cannot diagnose memory problems.
Is verbal memory linked to IQ?
Partly. Full IQ tests include verbal comprehension and working memory, and people who score well on one type of memory task often do well on others. But a verbal memory game measures one narrow skill, and your score depends a lot on strategy and focus. It is not an IQ score. For an estimate across several kinds of reasoning, take our free IQ test or the 5-minute Quick IQ Test.
Verbal memory vs other memory tests
Game What you remember Main skill
Verbal Memory Test Which words you have already seen Verbal recognition memory
Number Memory Test A growing string of digits Short-term memory span
Sequence Memory Test The order of squares lighting up Spatial working memory for order
Visual Memory Test A pattern of squares Visual pattern memory
Chimp Test Where numbers were before they hide Spatial memory under pressure
Want to know which habits really help memory and thinking? Read our guide on how to increase your IQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is a verbal memory test?
A verbal memory test measures how well you remember words. In this version, words appear one at a time and you decide whether each one is new or has appeared before. It tests verbal recognition memory and how well you resist confusion as the list grows.
How does the verbal memory test work?
Each word is either new or one you have already seen in this game. Click NEW or SEEN. Correct answers score a point, and each mistake costs one of your three lives. The game ends when all three lives are gone.
What is a good verbal memory test score?
On this game, 41 to 60 is a good score, 61 to 99 is strong and 100 or more is exceptional. A first attempt of 21 to 40 is typical. These bands are a rough guide, not a scientific norm.
How can I improve my verbal memory?
Think about each word's meaning, picture it as a vivid image and link words into a story. Deeper processing makes words much easier to remember. Good sleep and a calm, focused mind also help.
Is verbal memory related to IQ?
Partly. Memory is one of the abilities included in full IQ tests, and different memory skills tend to be related. But a verbal memory game measures one narrow skill and is not an IQ score.
Does verbal memory decline with age?
Memory for new lists of words tends to peak in early adulthood and decline gradually, while vocabulary often keeps growing into later life. A sudden change in memory is worth discussing with a doctor.
What is the difference between recognition and recall?
Recognition means identifying something you have seen before, as in this game. Recall means producing it from memory without prompts, such as listing words you were shown earlier. Recognition is usually much easier than recall.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. On a computer, press S for seen and N for new. On a phone or tablet, tap the buttons.
Is this verbal memory test free?
Yes. The game and your personal best are free, with no account or email needed. Your best score is saved only on your own device.
Try next
Number Memory TestHow many digits can you hold in mind at once?
Sequence Memory TestRepeat the order of squares as the sequence grows.
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All brain gamesEvery IQScore test on one page, free and without sign-up.
Sources
Shepard, R. N. (1967). Recognition memory for words, sentences, and pictures. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 6(1), 156 to 163.
Craik, F. I. M. and Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: a framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671 to 684.
Rey, A. (1964). L'examen clinique en psychologie. Presses Universitaires de France.
Delis, D. C., Kramer, J. H., Kaplan, E. and Ober, B. A. (1987). California Verbal Learning Test. The Psychological Corporation.
Salthouse, T. A. (2009). When does age-related cognitive decline begin? Neurobiology of Aging, 30(4), 507 to 514.
IQScore tests are for education and entertainment. Scores are not a clinical or diagnostic result. If you have concerns about your memory, please speak to a qualified health professional.