How Can I Test My Memory?

By taking a few simple tests such as picture, number, and face recall, you can understand how sharp your memory is.

Memory is an essential part of our lives, and it’s important to keep track of how well we’re doing. 

This will help you know if there might be any areas where you need to focus on to improve your memory skills. 

This blog post will outline twelve different ways to test your memory. 

Take a few minutes to try out each one and see how you do!

1. Picture Recall test

Pictures are a great way to test your memory. You can achieve picture recalling by flipping through some magazines or printing out images from the Internet and cutting them up. Then, test yourself by trying to remember as many of the pictures as you can.

Picture recall allows you to recall specific information about something rather than memorize lists of random things, which is often tricky. This method can be great for testing yourself on all kinds of material.

2. Sentence Repetition

Sentence repetition is a test you can do by making up five sentences that include keywords or phrases that you want to memorize. Repeat the sentences several times and try to remember how the keywords appear in each sentence.

Sentences are another great memory tool because they force you to memorize a list of items in an order. 

They help you remember the words that come before and after a particular word or phrase you’re trying to learn. 

In this way, you’re forced to remember not only the item itself but also how it relates to other items in a sentence.

3. Number Recall test

Number recall is a memory test done by writing down a list of random numbers and testing your memory by reciting them in order. Then, test yourself again by reciting the numbers in reverse order.

Numbers are great tools for testing memory because they’re easy to memorize and test your memory in various ways. 

For example, you might be asked to remember a list of numbers in order, or you might have to recall the numbers after being given a particular number.

4.  Digital Memory test

In a digital memory test, you test your memory by remembering as much information as possible about the apps on your phone, how often you use them, and what kind of data each app collects from you. Then, you test yourself again by retrieving this information from your phone without looking at it.

Since our lives are filled with computers and other digital devices, we need to learn how to store information effectively and recall that information quickly and accurately.

For example, many people rely on their smartphones for quick access to their email, contacts list, social media accounts, maps, and so on. However, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to send or receive important information quickly but have forgotten to download it onto your phone.

Testing how well you can recall information from your smartphone can be an excellent way of measuring how well your memory works when put into a digital context.

5. Face/Name Recall test

Face/name recall is trying to recall as many names as you can from your school, work, sports team, or another group. You just have to make sure to test yourself by recalling those names without looking at a list of them first.

Recalling someone’s name can be difficult, especially if you meet many people in one day. 

However, testing your memory by recalling faces and names is an excellent way to show how well you can remember information about the subject itself.

6. Number-Letter Conversion test

Number-letter conversion is done by writing down a list of random numbers that you convert into letters. For example, 1 might be A, 2 might be B, etc. Here, you test your memory by reciting the letters to see if you can remember which number corresponds with each letter.

Number-letter conversion is an excellent test of memory because you’re actually converting numbers into letters and then trying to remember the number that correlates with a particular letter.

This can be very difficult, as it requires you to recall information from your short-term memory and figure out what information comes next.

7. Random Facts

Rather than trying to remember a whole story or event, you can test your memory by trying to recall random bits of information that aren’t related to one another. For example, you might be given five random facts about an object and then asked to try and recall them in any order.

Or, you might be given a list of random facts and asked to remember as many as possible in one minute. 

You can conduct a random facts test by writing down five random facts about an object or animal that you’re testing with.

For example, you might learn that pandas have a false thumb, eat bamboo shoots, their population is declining rapidly, have black and white fur, and have a round face. 

Attempt to recall as many facts as you can in one minute. 

Then, test yourself again by reciting each point without looking at the list first.

8. Sequence Recall test

This memory test involves recalling steps in a particular order or sequence. For example, you might need to recall the words on an essay you read rather than just recognizing them for what they are. This can be helpful if you’re trying to remember how to complete a task that requires several steps (e.g., cooking).

Sequence recall is done by writing down a list of words in sequential order — for example, eggs, butter, flour, sugar, milk. 

Try to recite the list in order without looking at it first.

9. Map/Picture Association test

This test involves recalling information about an image rather than just recognizing it for what it is or having a list of facts to rely on. For example, recognizing someone’s voice even though many other people are talking simultaneously is a vital association skill.

This test is done by looking at an image for one minute and then taking a ten-minute break before attempting to recall as much information about that image as possible.

10. Rhyming Words test

Instead of just recognizing words or recalling facts, this test is all about trying to remember the way certain words sound when they’re said out loud. For example, if you’re asked to recall “button,” you might also try recalling “cotton,” “donut,” and so on to come up with the answer.

You conduct the rhyming words test by looking at a list of items and then trying to recall as many of them as you can by remembering how they sound when said aloud. 

For example, “hat” might be followed by “cat,” “cot,” and so on.

11. Names/Faces test

This test requires recalling names and faces without relying solely on a list of facts about those people. Plus, it’s excellent for improving your memory and preparing yourself for situations where you might need to introduce yourself to new people.

You conduct this test by looking at a list of names and pictures of people for one minute and then taking a ten-minute break before recalling as many names as possible. 

For the faces, try to remember their names or occupations before attempting to recall what they look like.

12. Random Puzzles

This test involves drawing shapes based on their looks rather than their names. For example, you might be given a series of squares, circles, triangles and asked to draw them in order. Then, you’ll be asked to do the same thing again using only your memory without looking back at the puzzle.

Conduct the random puzzle test by looking at a series of shapes (i.e., circles, triangles, squares) for one minute and then taking a ten-minute break before attempting to draw them in order without looking back at the puzzle first. 

Then, look at another image containing different types of shapes or letters. Try to draw these in order as well.

Final thoughts

The goal of memory tests is to help you become more aware of how your memory works, what it’s like when you forget things, and how well you perform under pressure. 

So even though these aren’t the kinds of tests used to diagnose medical conditions or learning disabilities, they are still helpful if you’re trying to figure out what you need to improve on.

For example, if you score poorly on specific memory tests, this might mean that you aren’t doing enough practice sessions or taking the time to read through your notes before a test. 

Or perhaps you should take the maximizing memory course from Iris Reading which should help you become more confident about your learning abilities.