What is the Chimp Test?
The chimp test (also called the chimpanzee memory test) is a working memory challenge inspired by groundbreaking research at Kyoto University's Primate Research Institute.
In 2007, researchers discovered something remarkable: young chimpanzees consistently outperformed adult humans at a specific memory task. The chimp named Ayumu became famous for memorizing the positions of 9 numbers shown for just 210 milliseconds – faster than any human could.
This online chimp test recreates that experiment. Numbers flash on screen briefly, then hide. Your job is to click them in ascending order (1, 2, 3...) from memory. Can you beat a chimpanzee at their own game?
How to Play the Chimp Test
- Click to start – Numbers will appear on the grid
- Memorize the positions – You have about 1 second
- Click the first number (1) – All numbers will hide
- Continue clicking in order – 1, 2, 3, 4...
- Level up – Each level adds one more number to remember
You have 3 lives. Clicking the wrong number costs a life. The game ends when you run out of lives.
Chimp Test Score Guide
The famous chimp Ayumu could consistently achieve level 9 with near-perfect accuracy. Most humans struggle past level 7.
Tips to Beat the Chimp Test
- See patterns, not numbers – Try to visualize the path between numbers as a shape
- Use chunking – Group nearby numbers together in your memory
- Practice regularly – Working memory improves with consistent training
- Stay calm – Anxiety impairs short-term memory performance
- Trace with your eyes – Before clicking, mentally trace the path 1→2→3...
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chimps really smarter than humans?
Not exactly. Chimps have evolved a specific type of "eidetic" (photographic) memory that helps them survive in the wild. Humans traded some of this ability for language and abstract thinking. We're better at different things!
Why is the chimp test so hard?
The test challenges your working memory capacity – the amount of information you can hold and manipulate at once. Most humans can hold 7±2 items, which is why level 7+ becomes difficult.
Will playing the chimp test make me smarter?
Regular practice can improve your working memory performance on similar tasks. Whether this transfers to general intelligence is debated, but training certainly helps with focus and visual memory.
What was the original Kyoto University experiment?
Researchers Tetsuro Matsuzawa and colleagues trained chimps to touch numbers 1-9 in order on a touchscreen. When numbers were shown for just 210ms before being masked, young chimps like Ayumu significantly outperformed human adults.
More Brain Training Games
Challenge yourself with our other free cognitive tests: