How the test works
- 16 cards are face down: 8 matching pairs.
- Turn over two cards. If they match, they stay face up.
- If they don't, they turn back over, so remember where they were.
- Find all 8 pairs. Your score is the number of moves (pairs of cards turned). Fewer is better.
What it measures
The matching game, also known as Concentration or Pairs, tests short-term visual and spatial memory: remembering what each card was and where it was. On the 4×4 board the best possible score is 8 moves, which needs some luck; good memory keeps you close to it.
What is a good score?
| Score | Better than about |
|---|---|
| 6 moves | 99% of people (top 1%) |
| 10 moves | 90% of people (top 10%) |
| 12 moves | 75% of people |
| 14 moves | 50% of people (average) |
| 16 moves | 25% of people |
Estimated from typical scores for this kind of test.
Tips to improve
- Turn over cards you haven't seen yet before guessing at ones you have.
- Say the picture and position to yourself: "moon, top left".
- Work through the grid in order, row by row, so you know which cards you've seen.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good score on the normal board?
Around 14 moves is typical. 10 moves or fewer puts you in roughly the top 12%. The fewest possible is 8, one move per pair.
Which level should I play?
Easy (4×3) suits younger children, Normal (4×4) is the classic game, and Hard (6×5) and Expert (6×6) are a real memory workout.
Is this memory game good for kids?
Yes. It's a simple, calm game that works well on tablets and Chromebooks, and it has no ads inside the game area.