Because of a house move, my training last week suffered from lack of time and lack of attention. I trained for shorter periods most days and felt distracted and unable to achieve full focus. My training scores reflected this as shown by the graph of recent history further down in this post.

But today, being more settled, my focus came back and the benefits of the combined dual n-back and “nines” training resumed with a new high score of 10.45 at “nines.” My previous best was 9.7, set a couple of weeks ago.

"Nines" Session 60 - Avg. n=10.45

And here is the chart showing progress since I started the combined daily training:

Combined Brain Training Dual n-back / Nines

After scoring a new high at regular dual n-back on Monday, my score for that exercise dropped substantially today (by almost two points), but focus and scores at “nines” improved and reached a new high of 9.7.

This wacky performance can’t continue for long, of course, so I may as well enjoy it while I can! As usual, I have no explanation for this jump — from a new high of 9.35 yesterday to a score of 10.15 today. The doubled sessions do seem to have been making quite an impact. And perhaps there is something about switching back and forth between regular dual n-back and “nines.”

Brain Training High - Dual n-Back

After reaching a new mark at “nines” yesterday, I reached a new mark at regular dual n-back today. (Also in keeping with the recent pattern, my “nines” score dipped today…)

Dual n-Back Brain Training

I’ve been continuing my double-session approach with regular dual n-back and nines this past week. Today I started with a relatively lackluster effort at regular dual n-back, feeling as though I was struggling to achieve optimum focus. But then in my “nines” session, which followed right after, I experienced quite a remarkable run, even reaching n=12 at one point — which I don’t believe I’ve ever done before. Here is the graph:

"nines" session 42

After a period of up and down scores I decided last week to embark on an intensive training schedule – two sessions per day for at least five days per week for perhaps 4 weeks.  For the two daily sessions I’ve been doing one regular dual n-back and one “nines” variation.

The results have been interesting!! I’ve felt rapidly sharpening focus and attention, reaching some of the highest levels I’ve experienced, and even, in the last couple of days, staying strong through two sessions. My daily combined average has risen from 7.8 last Friday to 8.875 today!

Doubling Up