What the science actually says
Brain training has been oversold and over-debunked in equal measure. The balanced reading of the research: practice improves the trained skill and near neighbours — working-memory training genuinely improves working memory, attention drills genuinely sharpen attention — while claims of broad IQ gains remain contested. Meanwhile, the strongest predictors of long-term cognitive health are unglamorous: sleep, exercise, social contact and staying mentally engaged.
Our approach: use the exact task types the research uses (N-Back for updating, Stroop for inhibition, span tasks for storage, Schulte for attention), keep sessions short and daily, measure everything, and make it fun enough that you actually come back. The streak does more for your brain than any single session.
How to get results
- Short and daily beats long and occasional — 10–15 minutes is plenty.
- Progressive difficulty: when a test feels comfortable, push the level up.
- Track your scores on the stats page and re-benchmark monthly.
- Rotate the focus — the weekly plan alternates memory, attention and speed for exactly this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does brain training actually work?
Honest answer: practising a task reliably improves that task and closely related ones — working-memory training improves working memory, attention drills improve attention. Whether gains transfer broadly to IQ is scientifically contested. What is not contested: staying mentally active, sleeping well and exercising are associated with better cognitive ageing, and short daily practice is the pattern that works.
How many minutes a day should I train?
10–15 focused minutes beats an occasional hour. Our 7-day plan is built around three short exercises per day — about 12 minutes — with a different cognitive focus each day so nothing gets stale.
Which brain-training exercise is best?
For working memory, the N-Back and backwards digit span are the most studied. For attention, the Stroop test and Schulte Table. For processing speed, reaction-time practice. The best programme mixes them — which is exactly what the weekly plan does.
Is this really free?
Completely. Every test and game on this site is free with no signup and no subscription — unlike most brain-training apps. Your scores and streaks are stored privately on your own device.