NATURE OF EXERCISE:
This exercise has been designed to improve the cognitive processes used for the temporary storage and manipulation of information. Additionally, a study performed by Columbia University researchers and published in 2008 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences determined that a version of this exercise actually improved fluid intelligence (the ability to reason and to solve new problems independently of previously acquired knowledge) with 20 minutes per day practice.

RELEVANCE TO EVERYDAY LIFE:
Working memory is a key cognitive function used in daily life. It allows individuals to hold information in mind for very brief periods of time, typically only a few seconds. A strong working memory is absolutely essential to the successful completion of many routine activities. For example, when you're responding to a question or a comment, you maintain that question or comment in working memory as you form your response. When you look up a phone number, working memory is where you store it until you have completed dialing.

INSTRUCTIONS:
The N-back exercise requires users to decide whether each stimulus in a sequence matches the one that appeared N items ago. This Advanced version is a 3-Back. Accordingly, you will be presented with a series of images, one at a time and you must determine if the image you are presently seeing is an exact match to the one you saw 3 images ago. If the images match, press the RIGHT ARROW key on your keyboard. If they do not match, press the LEFT ARROW key on your keyboard.

You must respond correctly 30 times to complete the exercise.