Free online test · 5 cognitive domains
Cognitive Test
Most cognitive tests give you a single number. MindPlay profiles five independent abilities — memory, logic, focus, processing speed, and spatial reasoning — and tracks each one over time.
No account needed. Play 3 games per domain to unlock your full profile.
The 5 cognitive domains
Each domain maps to specific games and a distinct branch of cognitive science. Together they reflect the main axes of mental performance measured in clinical and research settings.
Memory
7 ± 2 items (Miller's Law)Working memory — your brain's scratchpad for holding and manipulating information in the short term. Essential for learning, reasoning, and following multi-step instructions.
Logic
IQ-adjacent; improves with deliberate practiceDeductive and inductive reasoning — your ability to identify patterns, apply rules systematically, and solve novel problems without prior knowledge. Core component of fluid intelligence.
Focus
Stroop interference decreases ~15% with trainingSelective attention and cognitive flexibility — the ability to direct attention to relevant information, suppress distractions, and switch between tasks. Declines significantly with sleep deprivation.
Speed
200–250 ms average; 150–180 ms for trained individualsProcessing speed — how quickly your brain detects, processes, and responds to stimuli. One of the first cognitive abilities to show age-related decline; one of the most trainable.
Spatial
Highly trainable; video game players score 15–20% above averageSpatial reasoning and mental rotation — your ability to visualize and manipulate 2D and 3D objects mentally. Strongly predicts performance in STEM fields and navigation.
How the cognitive profile works
Play games across domains
Each game contributes to one cognitive domain. Play any game — your score feeds into that domain's running average automatically.
Unlock your scores
After 3 sessions in a domain, your score unlocks. The score uses an exponential moving average (EMA) that weights recent sessions more heavily — so consistent play matters more than one exceptional run.
Track your shape
Your profile page shows a radar chart of all 5 domains and a trend chart over time. A balanced pentagon is the goal — most people have clear gaps that reveal where to focus.
Frequently asked questions
What does a cognitive test measure?
A cognitive test measures mental abilities such as working memory, attention, processing speed, reasoning, and spatial skills. Unlike an IQ test, which produces a single score, a cognitive profile test measures multiple abilities independently to show relative strengths and weaknesses.
How is MindPlay's cognitive test different from an IQ test?
IQ tests produce a single standardised score normed against the population. MindPlay's cognitive test produces a profile across 5 domains without a single number. It is not a clinical IQ assessment — it is a self-tracking tool for monitoring cognitive fitness over time.
How many games do I need to play to unlock my cognitive profile?
You need to play at least 3 games per cognitive attribute to unlock that attribute's score. Your profile builds over time — each session refines your score using an exponential moving average, so consistency matters more than any single run.
Is this a real cognitive assessment?
MindPlay's tests are based on validated cognitive paradigms (Stroop, digit span, Corsi blocks, mental rotation), but they are not clinical assessments and should not be used to diagnose any condition. They are best used as a personal fitness tracker for your brain.
Can cognitive test scores improve over time?
Yes, within limits. Working memory, processing speed, and attention all respond to training. Fluid intelligence (logic/reasoning) is more resistant to direct training but improves with regular cognitive engagement. Sleep and exercise have the broadest positive effects across all domains.