Start the Digit Span Test (Backward)
What this test measures
Digit span is a classic short-term and working-memory measure from the Wechsler scales. Here you take the harder backward version: digits appear one at a time and you type them back in reverse order. Reversing the sequence forces you to manipulate the items, not merely store them. Your score is the longest span you reproduce correctly.
How to play
Watch the digits appear one by one. When prompted, type them in REVERSE order and press Enter. Each correct round adds one more digit, so the sequences keep growing until you slip.
How to improve
- Chunk the digits into pairs and reverse the chunks.
- Visualise the sequence and 'read' it backwards.
- Backward span is normally one to two digits shorter than forward — that is expected.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good backward digit span? Healthy adults average around five digits backward; seven or more is excellent.
Why backward instead of forward? Reversing the order requires manipulating information in working memory, making it a stronger measure than simple storage.
How is this different from Number Memory? Number Memory shows a whole number to recall forward; Digit Span presents digits one at a time to recall in reverse.