The Brain Speed Test

What It Is

The Brain Speed Test is a sensitive test designed by neuroscientists for measuring your brain's auditory processing speed—how quickly it can take in sounds. It uses upward- and downward-sweeping sounds that are the most basic building blocks of English-language sounds (though you'd never guess by hearing them!)

How quickly you can identify these strange sounds might seem unimportant, but it's not. The faster and more accurately your brain can take in these types of sounds, the better it can keep up with and form a clear memory of what you hear in speech. Whether it's a description of what your niece wants for her birthday, a task assigned to you at work, or just a mention of something your spouse needs from the store, remembering what you hear is a key to mental sharpness.

What You Do

You will hear two "frequency sweeps" in a row. Each one will go upward or downward. Your task is to listen, then click the "up" and "down" buttons to reflect the two sounds you heard, in order. If that's not clear, don't worry! There is a complete tutorial available in the test so you'll get to practice first.

Play Game!