Quick answer
Yes — but mostly for the tasks you practise. Brain training apps can improve reaction time and working memory on similar tasks. Strong, guaranteed transfer to distant skills is much harder to demonstrate.
What brain training improves
Training specific tasks — such as Reaction Time, N-back, or Memory 3×3 — often improves performance on those same or closely related tasks.
- Faster responses in repeated reaction tasks
- Better working-memory accuracy on similar loads
- Improved tolerance for mental effort
Limits of transfer
Transfer means improvement on skills you did not directly train.
| Type of transfer | Evidence strength |
|---|---|
| Near transfer (similar tasks) | Moderate |
| Far transfer (unrelated abilities) | Limited |
| General intelligence boost | Weak evidence |
How to measure improvement reliably
- Use the same device and browser.
- Compare averages across multiple sessions.
- Track trends over weeks, not single sessions.
For baseline benchmarks, see average reaction time by age.
Recommended tests
Track speed and consistency.
Measure working memory load.
Assess interference control.
Set up a simple tracking system.
FAQ
Do brain training apps improve reaction time?
They can improve performance on tasks you practise regularly.
Do they increase intelligence?
Broad intelligence increases are not strongly supported by evidence.
How long does improvement take?
Changes often appear after consistent practice over several weeks.