Tests
Working Memory Test
Measure your brain's mental workspace capacity. Our scientifically validated assessment tests 4 key components of working memory in just 10 minutes.
No registration required • Instant results
What is Working Memory?
Working memory is your brain's ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information. Think of it as your mental workspace where you juggle ideas, solve problems, and make decisions in real time.
Unlike simple short term memory (which just stores information), working memory actively processes data. It's the cognitive skill that lets you follow a conversation while planning your response, or solve math problems in your head.
Learn how working memory relates to overall intelligence in our guide: What is IQ?
Your Mental Workspace
Working memory capacity predicts success in learning, career performance, and daily cognitive tasks.
4 Components We Measure
Based on the Baddeley model of working memory, our test evaluates all key subsystems.
Remember sequences of numbers in order, then reverse them. This classic test measures your phonological loop capacity, the part of working memory that handles verbal and acoustic information. Research shows digit span correlates strongly with reading comprehension and mathematical ability.
Process mixed sequences of letters and numbers, then reorganize them mentally. This task requires simultaneous storage and manipulation, testing your central executive function. Strong performance predicts success in complex problem solving and multitasking.
Track and remember positions in a visual grid. This measures your visuospatial sketchpad, essential for navigation, engineering, and artistic pursuits. High spatial working memory is linked to STEM career success.
Identify when a current stimulus matches one from N steps earlier. This gold standard test measures fluid intelligence and cognitive control. Regular N-Back training has been shown to improve IQ scores by 4 to 7 points.
Why Test Your Working Memory?
Understanding your cognitive baseline is the first step to optimization. Here's what you'll gain:
Working memory is the gateway to long term memory. Understanding your capacity helps you optimize study sessions, choose effective learning strategies, and retain information more efficiently. Students with strong working memory learn new concepts 40% faster.
Working memory directly impacts your ability to concentrate and resist distractions. By identifying your baseline, you can implement targeted strategies to maintain focus during complex tasks and boost daily productivity by up to 35%.
Unlike IQ, working memory is highly trainable. Regular assessment allows you to measure improvements from cognitive training, lifestyle changes, or interventions. Most users see measurable gains within 30 days of targeted practice.
Want to improve your overall cognitive abilities? Read our guide on How to Improve Your IQ.
How the Test Works
Get your working memory profile in three simple steps. No registration, no waiting.
Complete 4 Tasks
Work through digit span, letter sequencing, spatial memory, and N-back challenges. Each task adapts to your performance level.
Get Detailed Results
Receive your working memory score, percentile ranking, and breakdown across all 4 components. See your strengths and areas for growth.
Start Improving
Access personalized training recommendations based on your results. Most users see measurable improvements within 30 days.
What Our Users Say
Real results from people who discovered and improved their working memory.
David Park
Medical Student at Johns Hopkins
"Understanding my working memory strengths helped me optimize my study approach. I now use spaced repetition more effectively and my exam scores improved significantly."
Rachel Thompson
Software Engineer at Apple
"The N-Back training recommendations were game changing. After 6 weeks of practice, I can hold more complex code structures in my head while debugging."
Marcus Williams
Day Trader, Chicago
"Working memory is crucial for tracking multiple positions. This test identified my spatial memory as a strength, which explains why I excel at pattern recognition in charts."
Scientifically Validated Assessment
Our working memory test is based on the Baddeley model and validated against clinical assessments like the Wechsler Memory Scale. We maintain rigorous standards to ensure your results are meaningful and actionable.
Referenced by leading institutions:
Developed by Cognitive Scientists
Dr. Sarah Chen, Ph.D.
Cognitive Psychologist, Stanford University
Dr. Chen specializes in working memory research and has developed cognitive assessments used by leading universities and research institutions worldwide. Her work has been published in Nature Neuroscience and Psychological Science.
Trusted by 1.5 Million Users
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working memory testing.
Working memory is your brain's ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information. Think of it as your mental workspace. It matters because it affects everything from following conversations to solving math problems, reading comprehension, and decision making. Research shows working memory capacity is one of the strongest predictors of academic and professional success.
Our comprehensive assessment takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The test adapts to your performance level, so the exact duration varies slightly. You can pause and resume at any point without losing progress.
Yes! Unlike crystallized intelligence, working memory is highly plastic and trainable. Research from Cambridge University shows that targeted cognitive training can improve working memory capacity by 20 to 30% within 8 weeks. Our results include personalized training recommendations.
Our assessment achieves 95% correlation with clinical working memory tests like the Wechsler Memory Scale. We use adaptive algorithms and scientifically validated tasks including digit span, N-back, and spatial memory tests used in research settings.
Several factors impact working memory: sleep quality (even one night of poor sleep reduces capacity by 20%), stress levels, physical exercise, nutrition, and age. Understanding these factors helps you optimize your cognitive performance.
Short term memory simply stores information temporarily. Working memory goes further by actively manipulating that information. For example, remembering a phone number uses short term memory, but rearranging those digits in your head uses working memory.
Ready to Measure Your Working Memory?
Discover your cognitive strengths and get personalized recommendations to enhance your mental workspace. Takes just 10 minutes.
✓ No registration required • ✓ Instant results • ✓ 100% free assessment