Memory & Brain Training
Average Reaction Time: What's Normal?
Careful studies put simple visual reaction time at about 210 to 250 ms for adults. See how sound, choices, age and sleep change it, and how to test fairly.
Play smarter with words, memory and trivia.
Rules, tips and the real science behind the games you love, from spelling bees to the n-back test. Every fact is checked against a trusted source.
Browse by topic
- Words & Spelling Spelling bees, vocabulary and the word games that put them to the test. 4 guides
- Memory & Brain Training Memory tests, reaction time and what the research says about brain games. 4 guides
- Trivia & History History trivia, famous dates and tips for daily puzzle games. 1 guide
- Two-Player & Party Games Rules and strategy for quick games you can play with a friend. 1 guide
Latest guides
All guidesMemory & Brain Training
Digit Span Test: How Many Numbers Can You Remember?
A digit span test has you repeat digits in order, then in reverse. Adults average about 6 to 7 forward and about 5 backward. Here's how to test yourself.
Memory & Brain Training
Do Brain Games Improve Memory? What Research Shows
Brain games mostly make you better at the games themselves. What the ACTIVE trial, scientists, the FTC and the NIA say, and which habits have better evidence.
Trivia & History
Famous Historical Dates: What Year Did It Happen?
The Moon landing was July 20, 1969. Exact dates for 24 famous moments, from the Battle of Hastings to the first iPhone, plus the mix-ups people make.
Words & Spelling
How Many Words Are in the English Language?
There's no exact count. The OED has over 500,000 entries, Merriam-Webster's Unabridged over 476,000, and a 20-year-old native speaker knows about 42,000.
Words & Spelling
How to Study for a Spelling Bee: Lists, Roots, Practice
Study the official 450-word school list, then the 4,000 Words of the Champions. Learn roots and origins, and practice asking the pronouncer questions.