Block: --/5
Rung: 1-back
Score: 0
Best: --

N-Back Ladder

Squares light up one by one. Does this one match the square N steps back? Climb from 1-back to 4-back, with letters at the top rungs.

5 blocks of about 45 seconds · 6 rungs

N-Back Ladder

Squares light up one by one on a 3×3 board. Press Match when the square is where it was N steps back. Five blocks of about 45 seconds; a strong block climbs a rung, from 1-back up to 4-back, with letters added at the top rungs (dual mode).

5 blocks
Working memory

How to play

Watch the board. A square lights up every 2.5 seconds (or 3.3 at relaxed pace).
Match N back. Press Position match (A or ←) when the square is in the same place as N steps back.
Dual mode. From rung 4 a letter shows too. Press Letter match (L or →) when the letter repeats N steps back.
Climb. Catch most matches with few false alarms to go up a rung; a weak block steps you down.

Quick tips

Say it in your head. Name each square ("top left, centre, centre") and keep a rolling list of the last N.
Don't mash. False alarms cost points and drag your grade down. Only press when you're fairly sure.
Drop the oldest. Each new step pushes the oldest item out of the list. Practise letting it go.
Split the work in dual mode. Track positions as a picture and letters as a sound in your head.
Try relaxed pace. The slower pace gives more time per step while you learn a new rung.