How the test works
- 25 circles are scattered on the board: numbers 1 to 13 and letters A to L.
- Click them in order, switching between numbers and letters: 1, A, 2, B, 3, C… ending at 13.
- A line joins each circle you find. A wrong click flashes red but the clock keeps running.
- Your score is your time in seconds. Lower is better.
What it measures
The Trail Making Test has been used by psychologists since the 1940s. Part B, which switches between numbers and letters, measures visual search, processing speed and mental flexibility: the ability to keep two sequences in mind and switch between them.
What is a good score?
| Score | Faster than about |
|---|---|
| 22.4 s | 99% of people (top 1%) |
| 30.6 s | 90% of people (top 10%) |
| 36.8 s | 75% of people |
| 45.0 s | 50% of people (average) |
| 55.1 s | 25% of people |
Estimated from typical scores for this kind of test.
Tips to improve
- Before you click, look for the next two or three circles, not just the next one.
- Say the sequence quietly to yourself: "4, D, 5, E".
- Don't worry about the lines; just find the next circle.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Trail Making Test time?
About 45 seconds is typical when clicking. Under 35 seconds puts you in roughly the top 20%, and under 28 seconds is in the top 6%.
Is this the same as the clinical Trail Making Test?
It follows the same idea as part B, but on a screen and with a random layout each time, so scores aren't comparable with clinical paper versions. It's for practice and fun, not diagnosis.