Guides
Practical, honest guides on memory, focus, mental math and what IQ tests really measure.
Mental math tricks anyone can learn, with worked examples
Multiply by 11, square numbers ending in 5, add from left to right, work out percentages and use rounding: simple mental math tricks with step-by-step examples.
How to improve focus and concentration: simple habits that help
Single-tasking, keeping your phone out of reach, time-boxing, real breaks, sleep and exercise: practical ways to concentrate better, and what the research says.
Online IQ tests: how accurate are they, and what does IQ mean?
What an IQ score actually measures, how real tests like the WAIS are built and normed, and why a free online IQ test can only give you a rough estimate.
Do brain training games work? An honest look at the evidence
Brain games make you better at brain games. What about memory, work or aging? A plain review of the research, from the ACTIVE trial to the FTC's Lumosity case.
How to improve your memory: habits and techniques that work
Spacing, retrieval practice, sleep, chunking and the method of loci: the memory techniques with real research behind them, and how to use them day to day.