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Brain Fitness Pro Session 273
Session number: 273
Average n-back: 11.2
Duration (estimate in minutes): 40
After a nearly two weeks of not training (returning from a vacation) I reached my second highest dual n-back score today – 11.2.
Brain Fitness Pro working-memory training report
This post was submitted by martin.
After a break of about a month I’m now three days into my renewed double-session training. Despite the time commitment I’m again finding this approach quite rewarding. I feel as though it’s already given me a needed boost in focus and follow-through. (I’ve completed several tasks in the last couple of days that had been outstanding for a while.)
Today I started with a session of “nines” and then hit a very good level of focus in a session of regular dual n-back.
"Nines" - Session 89
dual n-back - Session 261
A few days ago i broke through the n = 6 barrier with a average n back score of 6.05.
The thing that still fascinates me about this is that I’m still seeing slow continuous improvement in my scores. It hasn’t been easy or rapid but steady and pretty continuous. I have felt and seen the difference that clearer thinking can make in day to day and professional life.
It’s really remarkable to reach a max average n back greater than 6… and now i can do 5’s almost without thinking… that just freaks me out.
I’ve been keeping track of my scores in a spreadsheet which enables me to look back on my progress several different ways: number of training days vs progress, number of training sessions vs progress and calendar time vs progress. I’ve completed 303 sessions along the way over the past 9 months.
The most positive and consistent correlate seems to be number of training days with n=back progress. The graph correlating calendar days to training progress is fascinating in showing a long plateau around n=5 last summer.
Thanks to all who have posted in this blog for inspiration and motivation to keep going.
The key learning from this, for me, is that continuous if not rapid improvement in your working memory is possible whether you start out as a genius or not. Hard work can pay off just stick with it. Benefits correlated with improvement in working memory are available to all of us.
Session number: 19
Average n: 2.6
I’m finally done with the 19 session!!!! I feel great!
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
Session number: 18
Average n: 2.5
I’m hitting more n-3!!!!
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
Session number: 17
Average n: 2.4
Shaun, and others inspire me to work harder.
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
Session number: 16
Average n: 2.3
I think I have been doing each session within 30 minutes or less. Too bad there is no historical time on the software.
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
Session number: 14
Average n: 2.2
I keep at it.
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
Session number: 11
Average n: 2.1
I did not do very well, but I see changes with my productivity.
This post was submitted by Ronnette.
I had a request through e-mail for tips on mastering n=5. I thought this would be a good subject for a post. Please chip in if you have other thoughts…
n=5 seems to be a pivotal n-back level. For most people on the blog 5 seems to be the largest single chunk that we can hold and repeat. This may also relate to how many items one can comfortably rehearse in two-and-a-half to three seconds. (That’s how much time we have between items.)
I would encourage this approach:
1. Pause before every block at 5. Imagine the rhythm of 5. Develop some sense of affection for the rhythm, even if it’s faked. Bring a smile to your face, even and welcome the opportunity to visit with 5.
2. As you begin the block, build up the first five item pairs in the sequence slowly. You have three whole seconds for each new item pair. As the second item pair appears, go back and re-fix the first item pair. As the third appears, go back and re-fix the first and second item pairs. Do this all the way up to 5. (When I say re-fix, I mean visualize the series in your mind’s eye and at the same time rehearse the letter sequence in your head.)
3. Now, as the sixth item pair appears, don’t panic! Simply go back to the second item pair and re-fix 2, 3, 4, 5, and then add the new 6th pair.
4. Try to keep this up, dropping the oldest and rehearsing the new set of 5 as you go.
5. If you get lost, simply start again, fixing a new starting point. You can start a set of 5 wherever you want. And you can still succeed even if you miss a few items altogether.
I realize that this advice suggests rehearsal and mindfulness and goes against the idea that we can “feel” the hits. But I think perhaps we need to master an n-value mindfully before we can feel it.
