On average, one can keep 7±2 digits in working memory, based on research done in cognitive psychology. However, average figures reveal only part of the truth. The number memory test will help you find out your own digit span and compare it to some popular benchmarks. Try the test below and see how many numbers you can remember without errors.
What Is a Number Memory Test?
A number memory test reveals how many digits one can hold in temporary memory and repeat in the right order. It is usually called digit span by psychologists; it represents an important component of working memory.
In experiments, a similar procedure is performed under the name digit span test. People view or hear a set of digits and should repeat it correctly. The longer the sequence of digits that a participant manages to repeat, the bigger the working memory capacity is. According to the famous article by George Miller in 1956, humans have a capacity for 7±2 elements of immediate memory.
What Your Score Means
The outcome can act as an effective benchmark; however, you must understand that your score is not an indicator of your intelligence. The working memory test is aimed at assessing one particular type of cognitive function – to temporarily hold and manipulate information for ongoing tasks.
|
Score |
Interpretation |
|
Less than 5 digits |
Below average |
|
6–8 digits |
Average |
|
9 digits |
Above average |
|
10+ digits |
Exceptional |
Many things can affect your performance, such as concentration, exhaustion, stress, and how familiar you are with memory tasks. One low score doesn’t necessarily show your true capacity.
How to Improve Your Score
Digit span is like other cognitive abilities – you can train to get better at it.
- Try chunking. Don’t encode 381947526. Instead, group it into separate parts like 381-947-526.
- Use rhythm or melody. Memorizing numbers with a rhythm will allow you to hold them in your mind for a few more seconds.
- Engage your spatial memory. For bigger numbers, many people transform them into pictures and mentally place them along a specific route using the memory palace technique.
If you like this kind of exercise, play the remembering numbers game often and record your results. You can also check out memoryOS’s full selection of all memory games.
Number Memory vs Other Memory Tests
There are various memory tests.
|
Test |
Main Skill Measured |
|
Number Memory |
Digit span and short-term recall |
|
Sequence Memory |
Visual order recall |
|
Chimp Test |
Spatial working memory |
In case you like number-based challenges, then there is also the sequence memory test, where you will have to recall visual sequences instead of numbers.
FAQ
What is a good score on the number memory test?
Generally, 7-8 numbers are an average result. If your result is 9, then it’s above average. Also, anyone can train to have the results of 10-12 or more.
Is the number memory test the same as an IQ test?
No, this test does not assess intelligence; it evaluates the ability of working and short-term memory.
