Dual N-Back· Advanced

Goal

Track both position and color simultaneously, judging whether each matches N steps back.

How to Play

  • Watch colored squares appear one by one on a 3x3 grid.
  • Press 'Position Match' if the position is the same as N steps back.
  • Press 'Color Match' if the color matches N steps back. Press both if both match.

Core Rule 1: Position Match

Press 'Position Match' when the current square appears at the same grid position as N steps ago.

N!NOK
N!NG

Core Rule 2: Dual Task

Monitor position and color at the same time. Press both buttons when both match to earn a bonus score.

POSCLR+BONUSOK
POSCLRMISSNG

Completed Example

  • Colored squares appear sequentially on a 3x3 grid.
  • Press 'Position Match' if the position matches N steps back, 'Color Match' if the color matches.
  • The first N stimuli have no comparison target, so no response is needed.
123POSN = 2= Match

Tip

  • Don't try to memorize both streams at once. Remember positions as spatial images and colors by name.
  • Start with N=1, focus on position first, then add color once you're comfortable.
  • Keep a rhythm. Use the gap between stimuli to quickly rehearse the last N items.

Dual N-Back is the original task from Jaeggi et al. (2008) in PNAS, training working memory and fluid intelligence by simultaneously monitoring two stimulus streams.

  • Jaeggi et al. (2008) PNAS - Dual N-Back and fluid intelligence improvement
  • Soveri et al. (2017) meta-analysis - Transfer effects of Dual N-Back training