How the test works
- A 5×5 grid shows the numbers 1 to 25 in random places.
- Click them in order: 1, then 2, then 3, all the way to 25.
- A wrong click flashes red but doesn't stop the clock.
- Your score is your time in seconds. Lower is better.
What it measures
Schulte tables were developed by German psychiatrist Walter Schulte to test attention. Searching the grid trains your peripheral vision and focus, which is why they're popular for speed-reading practice: the more of the grid you take in at once, the faster you find each number.
What is a good score?
| Score | Faster than about |
|---|---|
| 15.9 s | 99% of people (top 1%) |
| 21.8 s | 90% of people (top 10%) |
| 26.1 s | 75% of people |
| 32.0 s | 50% of people (average) |
| 39.2 s | 25% of people |
Estimated from typical scores for this kind of test.
Tips to improve
- Keep your eyes on the centre of the grid and use your side vision to spot numbers.
- Look for the next number while you click the current one.
- Practise a few times a day; scores usually drop quickly in the first week.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Schulte table time?
About 30 seconds is typical for a 5×5 table. Under 25 seconds puts you in roughly the top 20%, and under 20 seconds is in the top 6%.
Do Schulte tables improve reading speed?
They train you to take in more at a glance, which helps with speed-reading technique. Most of the improvement shows up in the table itself, so practise alongside real reading.