🦊 Chimp Test
Numbers flash on a grid, then disappear. Click them in order 1, 2, 3... Chimpanzees outperform most humans on this specific test.
Most humans max out at level 3 or 4. Can you keep up?
Chimp Test
Watch the numbers. They disappear. Click them in order from 1 upward.
Level 1 — Memorise the positions
Click: 1
The Research Behind the Chimp Test
The chimp test is based on research conducted by Tetsuro Matsuzawa and colleagues at the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University. Their experiments showed that young chimpanzees named Ayumu could recall the positions of numbers 1 through 9 in the correct sequence after viewing them for as little as 210 milliseconds. This performance far exceeded that of university students tested under the same conditions.
This finding was counterintuitive because humans are generally considered cognitively superior to chimpanzees. The explanation proposed by researchers is that human language acquisition reshapes how we encode visual information. Humans process numbers as words (internally saying "six... four... nine"), which is slower than the purely visual-spatial encoding strategy chimpanzees appear to use. In other words, our verbal sophistication actually interferes with rapid visual memory in this specific task.
What Your Score Means
Most adults reach level 2 or 3 (5 or 6 numbers) on their first attempt. Reaching level 4 (7 numbers) is above average. Level 5 and beyond is exceptional for humans. The chimpanzees in the Matsuzawa research were capable of level 6 and above, with numbers displayed for just 200 to 400 milliseconds.
This test measures a very specific form of rapid visuospatial working memory that is largely independent of verbal intelligence. Some people who score highly on general cognitive tests perform poorly here, and vice versa.
Tips to Improve
The key insight is to stop reading the numbers as words and instead focus on their positions in the grid as a spatial map. Think of the numbers as dots on a grid rather than as numerical labels. Try to form a visual snapshot of the whole grid during the flash, then use that snapshot to guide your clicks rather than recalling each number individually.
At higher levels, mentally grouping the numbers into clusters by their grid region, such as "three in the top row, two on the left side," helps. This spatial chunking reduces the number of items to remember from individual numbers to a smaller set of patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do chimps really beat humans at this?
Yes. Research at Kyoto University documented young chimpanzees recalling sequences of up to 9 numbers after 200ms display time with accuracy that far exceeded adult humans. This remains one of the most striking reversals of assumed human cognitive superiority.
What does the chimp test measure?
Rapid visuospatial working memory, specifically the ability to encode spatial locations of multiple numbered items in a brief visual flash and recall their sequential order. It is more dependent on visual-spatial processing than standard digit span memory.
How can I get better at the chimp test?
Focus on spatial positions rather than numbers. Process the layout as a visual pattern rather than reading each digit. Practice on the test itself does produce improvement, though gains plateau at a lower level than in standard memory tests.
What is eidetic memory?
Eidetic or photographic memory refers to the ability to recall visual images with high accuracy after brief exposure. True eidetic memory in adults is extremely rare. Young children sometimes demonstrate it, but it typically fades as verbal memory systems develop and become dominant.