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N-Back Training: What the Evidence Actually Says

A 2008 paper suggested dual n-back training lifted fluid intelligence. Follow-ups and meta-analyses (including work associated with Melby-Lervåg, Redick, and others) frequently found that people got better at n-back and little else. That mixed/failed-transfer story is the honest one.

IQ Test › N-Back Training: What the Evidence Actually Says
📌 Key takeaways
Practice games:🔁 N-Back Test (Working Memory Updating)🧩 Dual N-Back Lite — Letter + Position🧾 Digit Span Test — Forward & Backward

What was the original claim?

Adaptive dual n-back (remember both visuospatial and auditory streams) appeared to raise Gf scores more than a control activity in a small sample. Media heard “IQ training.”

What happened next?

Replication problems, active-control debates, and meta-analyses showing near transfer (n-back gets easier) with weak or null far transfer to Gf, school tests, or other WM tasks depending on inclusion rules.

Should I still play n-back?

If you enjoy the challenge, yes — as a game. Our n-back and dual-n-back-lite keep expectations small (N stays small on the lite dual version). We will not sell an IQ boost.

Why would transfer fail?

You may learn n-back-specific strategies (rehearsal timing, when to guess) that do not help matrix rules or vocabulary.

Placebo and motivation?

Believing training works can raise effort on the post-test. Good studies use convincing control tasks.

Where to play

N-back (single stream) and dual-n-back-lite. Pair with digit-span if you want another WM-style game.

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📅 Last updated: 2026-08-26 · ✔ Reviewed by the All-Lifes editorial team · About · Methodology
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