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Question:1

Are You Smarter Than A Chimpanzee?

Click the squares in order by their numbers.

Statistics

This chart shows how many masked numbers humans can remember before 3 strikes.

Peak: 11 Numbers

11 Numbers

Average

(human median)

9–13 Numbers

Common Range

(most humans)

16+ Numbers

Genius Tier

(photographic)

Ayumu: 9 in 210ms

Chimp Benchmark

(Kyoto Univ)

About Chimp Test

What it measures

This test measures photographic spatial memory retention under masked conditions.

How it works

Click the numbers in ascending order (1, 2, 3...). Upon touching '1', all numbers turn blank. the data

The Ayumu Study

Kyoto University researchers showed young chimpanzee Ayumu could recall 9 numbers in 210ms with 80% accuracy.

Why humans struggle

Human brains rely on slow verbal rehearsal, whereas chimpanzees use instant eidetic visual encoding.

More details

You are granted 3 strikes. Train your visual buffer to glance at the full configuration before clicking.

Other tools

Try the Visual Memory matrix grid test. Visual Memory

Chimp Test & Ayumu Working Memory FAQ

Ayumu Spatial Working Memory4 Detailed Guides

Chimpanzee memory experiments and working memory benchmarks.

📸

Paradigm

Ayumu Spatial Eidetic Memory

⏱️

Human Median

11 Numbers (3 Strikes)

🦍

Chimp Record

Ayumu: 9 in 210 ms (80% Acc)

📈

Key Technique

Connect-the-Dots Mental Path

Primate Cognition• Neurobiology & Physiology

What is the Chimp Test and the Ayumu experiment?

In 2007, Kyoto University researchers led by Dr. Tetsuro Matsuzawa tested Ayumu, a young chimpanzee, against human adults. Ayumu memorized 9 numbers flashed for only 210 ms with over 80% accuracy—consistently outperforming college students. Humans rely on slow verbal rehearsal, whereas chimpanzees retain an instantaneous photographic eidetic image.

STEP 1

The Cognitive Trade-off Hypothesis

Evolutionary Divergence

Humans traded instantaneous eidetic memory capacity for language development and complex symbolic reasoning.

STEP 2

Eidetic Imagery

Photographic Buffer

Chimpanzee visual systems snapshot complete scenes without requiring conscious verbal labeling.

STEP 3

Masking Effect

Human Bottleneck

Once humans touch "1" and the remaining tiles turn blank, relying on verbal labels causes recall bottlenecks.

Score Distribution• POPULATION BELL CURVE

What is a good score on the Chimp Test?

The average adult scores 10 to 12 numbers before getting 3 strikes. Scoring 15+ numbers indicates exceptional visuospatial memory in the top 2% of humans.

Normal Human Baseline#1

Average: 9–12 Numbers

Achieved by planning the first 4–5 steps before clicking.

Top 5%#2

Superior: 13–15 Numbers

Combines mental spatial mapping with rapid motor execution.

Top 1% / Primate Parity#3

Ayumu Tier: 16+ Numbers

Near-photographic memory retention under masked conditions.

1% / Primate Parity

AGE BENCHMARKS• LIFESPAN DEMOGRAPHICS

Year-Old Chimp Test Scores: How Age Impacts Spatial Grid Recall

Children and teens frequently perform exceptionally well on the Chimp Test because photographic eidetic memory is far more prevalent in youth before adult verbal dominance takes over.

201612840

★ APEX12.8

11.4

10.2

7.8

6.5

10-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70+

All values are in Numbers. Values in masked numbers recalled before 3 strikes. Higher is better.

Age-Based Test Reflex & Reaction Time Guide

Faster reflexes • Better focus • Smarter gameplay

Reflexes improve with practice, no matter your age!

10–12 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark8 – 11 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier12 – 15 Numbers

High visual plasticity; often demonstrates strong eidetic spatial recall

13–14 Year-Olds

⚡ High Twitch

Average Benchmark9 – 13 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier13 – 16 Numbers

Near-chimpanzee speed on early levels; rapid visual scanning

15–19 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark10 – 14 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier14 – 17 Numbers

Combines fast spatial scanning with tactical sequence planning

20–24 Year-Olds

★ Peak Apex

Average Benchmark11 – 15 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier15 – 19 Numbers

Biological peak: optimal balance of visual buffer and execution speed

25–29 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark10 – 14 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier14 – 18 Numbers

Strong spatial memory; uses geometric chunking pathways

30–39 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark9 – 12 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier12 – 15 Numbers

Relies heavily on path chunking and visual landmarks

40–49 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark8 – 11 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier11 – 14 Numbers

Careful pre-planning before touching square 1

50–59 Year-Olds

Average Benchmark7 – 10 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier10 – 13 Numbers

Benefits from chunking into smaller 3-number triangles

60+ Year-Olds

Average Benchmark5 – 8 Numbers

Pro / Gamer Tier8 – 11 Numbers

Healthy spatial retention; excellent exercise for parietal cortex

AGE BRACKET	AVERAGE BENCHMARK	PRO / GAMER TIER	PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGE
10–12 Year-Olds	8 – 11 Numbers	12 – 15 Numbers	High visual plasticity; often demonstrates strong eidetic spatial recall
13–14 Year-Olds⚡ High Twitch	9 – 13 Numbers	13 – 16 Numbers	Near-chimpanzee speed on early levels; rapid visual scanning
15–19 Year-Olds	10 – 14 Numbers	14 – 17 Numbers	Combines fast spatial scanning with tactical sequence planning
20–24 Year-Olds★ Peak Apex	11 – 15 Numbers	15 – 19 Numbers	Biological peak: optimal balance of visual buffer and execution speed
25–29 Year-Olds	10 – 14 Numbers	14 – 18 Numbers	Strong spatial memory; uses geometric chunking pathways
30–39 Year-Olds	9 – 12 Numbers	12 – 15 Numbers	Relies heavily on path chunking and visual landmarks
40–49 Year-Olds	8 – 11 Numbers	11 – 14 Numbers	Careful pre-planning before touching square 1
50–59 Year-Olds	7 – 10 Numbers	10 – 13 Numbers	Benefits from chunking into smaller 3-number triangles
60+ Year-Olds	5 – 8 Numbers	8 – 11 Numbers	Healthy spatial retention; excellent exercise for parietal cortex

The Youth Eidetic Advantage

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Psychologists note that children under 14 have a much higher incidence of eidetic (photographic) memory than adults, giving them an advantage on visual snapshot tests.

Age 20–24 Consistency

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While youth have raw visual snapshots, 20–24 year-olds combine visual scanning with disciplined sequence chunking to reach 15+ numbers consistently.

Strategies• PERFORMANCE DRILLS

How to improve Chimp Test?

Conquer the masked numbers using visual snapshotting and trajectory planning:

Do NOT Click "1" Immediately

MEMORY BOOST

There is no time limit while numbers are visible! Study the entire board and memorize the path of the first 5 numbers before touching "1".

Trace a Mental Line (Connect the Dots)

BETTER VISUAL RESPONSE

Mentally draw a continuous line connecting 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5. Memorize the shape of the path instead of separate coordinates.

Chunk into Triangles or Clusters

STAY PRESENT

Group numbers: "1, 2, 3 are in the top left triangle; 4, 5, 6 are along the bottom row".

Use Your Mouse to Hover Pre-Emptying

AVOID EYE FATIGUE

Hover your cursor over the position of "2" or "3" right as you click "1" to anchor your physical memory.