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Skill Tests · Free

Chimp Test

The memory test young chimpanzees famously ace. Tap the numbers in order — they hide the moment you start.

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LEADERBOARD

Top 10 · Global

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Game guide

About Chimp Test

The chimp test is a working-memory challenge inspired by a famous experiment at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute. In a 2007 study, young chimpanzees — most famously one called Ayumu — were shown numerals scattered across a screen for a fraction of a second, then had to touch their hidden positions in order. They matched or beat university students, especially when the numbers were shown only briefly.

On PLAYNESKO it works like this: numbers from 1 upward appear on a grid. Tap 1, and every other number turns into a blank white square — the rest must be tapped in order from memory. Clear a round and the next one adds a number. You get three strikes, and your score is the largest set of numbers you cleared.

Skill TestsControls: Mouse / TapMemorySpatial

How to Play Chimp Test

  1. 1Press Start. A set of numbers appears on the grid, starting with four.
  2. 2Study the positions, then tap 1 — the remaining numbers are hidden instantly.
  3. 3Tap the hidden squares in order: 2, 3, 4, and so on.
  4. 4Clear the round and the next one has one more number.
  5. 5A wrong tap is a strike, and you replay the same size with new positions. Three strikes end the test.

Chimp test scores

Numbers clearedRating
Under 7Warming up
7 – 8Average human
9 – 10Sharp
11 – 13Chimp-level
14+Superhuman

Approximate ranges. Your first few runs are usually your lowest — strategy improves quickly.

Tips & Strategy

  • Take your time before tapping 1. There is no clock — only the order matters.
  • Trace a route: link the numbers into a path across the grid instead of memorising isolated spots.
  • Chunk the sequence into groups of three or four positions; that is far easier than holding ten separate locations.
  • If you lose the thread mid-round, tap the squares you are sure of first. A guess costs the same strike wherever it falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the chimp test?
A memory test where numbers flash on a grid and must be tapped in order after they're hidden. It is based on research showing that young chimpanzees have remarkable short-term memory for the positions of briefly shown numbers.
Are chimps really better than humans at this?
In the original 2007 experiments, young chimps matched or outperformed human university students at recalling the positions of briefly shown numerals, especially at the shortest display times. Follow-up research suggested people can close much of that gap with practice, so it says more about one specific skill than about intelligence in general.
What is a good chimp test score?
Clearing 9 or 10 numbers is a sharp result. Most people's early attempts end somewhere around 7 to 10, and anything in the teens is exceptional.
Does speed matter in the chimp test?
No. Only the order counts, so take as long as you like to study the grid before you tap 1.
How many strikes do I get?
Three per test. After a strike you replay a round of the same size with the numbers in new positions.

Embed Chimp Test on your site

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<p>Play <a href="https://playnesko.com/games/chimp-test">Chimp Test</a> free on <a href="https://playnesko.com">PLAYNESKO</a></p>

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