Working Memory

Dual N-Back

The Jaeggi protocol — track position and letter streams in parallel. The most studied working memory training task in cognitive science.

Dual N-Back

About this exercise

Dual N-back is the protocol from Jaeggi et al. (2008) that first suggested working memory training could improve fluid intelligence.

You see a position on a 3×3 grid AND hear/see a letter, simultaneously. For each step, decide if the position matches N back AND if the letter matches N back.

It loads both visuospatial and phonological working memory at once — far harder than single n-back.

Most adults plateau at 2-back dual. 3-back dual is elite territory.

The science

Each test is constructed using Item Response Theory (IRT) and Classical Test Theory (CTT) to ensure reliable measurement of knowledge and ability across different difficulty levels.

Questions undergo rigorous review including difficulty calibration, discrimination analysis, and distractor effectiveness evaluation to maintain high assessment quality.

How to play

  1. Watch the highlighted cell AND the letter shown center.
  2. Press A if position matches N steps back. Press L if the letter matches N steps back.
  3. You can press both — they're independent decisions per trial.
  4. Don't aim for 100% — push to where you're ~70% accurate, then keep training.