Attention Span Test

Challenge your working memory with our Attention Span Test—a progressive assessment measuring how much information you can hold and manipulate simultaneously while maintaining sustained focus. This test evaluates both working memory capacity (information storage) and sustained attention (concentration endurance), fundamental cognitive skills for learning, productivity, and complex problem-solving.

How It Works: Memorize sequences of symbols that appear briefly on screen, then recreate them in exact order after they fade. Start with short sequences, then progress to longer, more complex patterns with shorter display times. Each correct reproduction advances difficulty; three mistakes end the test. Your level reached and longest sequence memorized reveal working memory strength and attention stamina.

The Cognitive Science: Working memory engages your brain's prefrontal cortex (information manipulation), parietal lobe (storage), and hippocampus (encoding). Research by Alan Baddeley shows working memory capacity predicts academic achievement, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and complex problem-solving better than IQ alone. It's the mental workspace where you hold instructions, solve problems, and make decisions. Sustained attention—maintaining focus despite fatigue—determines how long you can use this workspace effectively.

Why This Matters: Modern life overwhelms working memory. Can you follow multi-step instructions? Remember points during conversations? Hold numbers while calculating? Maintain focus through lengthy tasks? Your working memory capacity determines success in learning (holding lecture content), professional work (managing complex projects), and daily functioning (following recipes, remembering directions). Weak working memory shows as forgetfulness, difficulty following instructions, and mental fatigue.

Professional Applications: Programmers hold code logic in working memory, teachers manage classroom variables simultaneously, medical professionals track patient information, managers juggle priorities, and students process lecture content while note-taking. Your capacity directly impacts how much complexity you can handle.

Enhance Memory: Complement this with our Number Memory Test for numerical recall, or try the Sequence Memory Test for pattern retention.

Detailed Analysis: Receive level progression data, longest sequence achieved, improvement trajectory, and evidence-based strategies for expanding working memory through chunking techniques, attention training, and memory improvement exercises.