HighIQPro uses a scientifically based working memory training game called the n-back.
In Audio Training Mode, when you press the ‘Start’ button, the Training Game window will open and every 3 seconds you will hear a random letter (or number).
Using the ‘L’ key (right hand) for an ‘n-back’ letter match, you are doing exactly the same thing as in the Visual Mode – starting with an n-back of 1. If you are proficient enough at N=1, you progress to N=2. In this example of a 2-back, there are 2 letter matches (where you need to press the ‘L’ key). One match is for the letter ‘P’, the other match is for the letter ‘O’.
… ‘P’ ‘X’ ‘P’ ‘O’ ‘C’ ‘O’ …
Practice in this training mode for as many blocks and sessions as it takes to feel comfortable with it. Just as with the ‘Visual Training Mode’ you will get graphical feedback on your performance if you complete a 10 block Session. You can also practice with the ‘numbers’ option in audio mode.
Many find that using headphones makes training more optimal.
To start each new block, you do not need to press the arrow button – you can simply press the space bar.
You can pause the game at any time by clicking the ‘clock’ button. Just click it again to continue. You can cancel the block at any time by clicking the ‘trash’ button which takes you to the Session window.
Going UP Or Down N-Back Levels
If you got 90% or more in a training Block, the memory gap for the next block increases 1 n-back level. If you get 70% or less on a block, the gap decreases 1 n-back level. Otherwise the n-back level stays the same. The working memory ‘n-back’ gap can in principle increase all the way to a 6-back, 7-back or even higher, as your working memory training for spatial information takes effect.
Because the difficulty level of the training task always adapts to your current performance level, the brain training always remains challenging to you: it is never too easy, nor too difficult to become frustrating and demotivating.
Different n-back levels show different colored squares. Here is the coding. Few people reach beyond a 5-back or more in 10 days, one day for each Session.
Once you have completed 10 blocks two windows open – a graph giving your average ‘working memory capacity’ (n-back) performance, and a ‘congratulations’ window. In the graph, if you click on the ‘percent correct’ button, a ‘percentage correct’ graph opens.
Press the forward arrow button to open the Session window. In this window, there is information about sessions remaining, and your average ‘matches’, ‘mis-hits’ and ‘% correct’ performance for the previous 10 block session.