How to Measure Cognitive Improvement: Tracking Your Brain Training Progress

So I've been playing brain games for like... over a year now? Maybe 14 months? I started in March 2023, so yeah, about that long.

And the question I get asked ALL the time is: "How do you even know if it's working?"

It's a totally fair question. Like, with exercise, you can see your muscles get bigger. With running, you can see your time improve. But with brain training? It's way harder to measure. You can't exactly see your memory getting better, you know?

But it's not impossible. You just have to track it differently. Here's how I do it, and how you can too (if you want, no pressure).

Why "Feeling" Better Doesn't Count

When I first started, I was all about the vibes. "I feel sharper today!" "My memory seems better!" I'd get excited about these feelings.

But here's the thing: feelings are liars. Well, not liars exactly, but they're unreliable. You might feel amazing one day and terrible the next, even if you're actually improving overall. Your mood, your sleep, your stress level—all of that affects how you "feel" about your cognitive performance.

I learned this the hard way. I'd have a great day, feel like my brain was on fire, then the next day I'd feel like my brain was made of mush. Was I actually getting worse? Or was I just tired/stressed/hungry?

I needed something more objective. So I started tracking actual data. Like a nerd. Because I am a nerd.

What to Track

Here's what I track:

1. Game Scores: This is the most obvious one. I log my scores for games like Reaction Time, Sequence Memory, and Visual Memory.

2. Consistency: How many days per week I actually play.

3. Real-World Improvements: Specific examples of when I noticed my training paying off.

4. Baseline Measurements: Where I started, so I can compare.

How I Track Scores (The Nerd Way)

So I have this Google Sheet. It's not fancy. Just columns for: - Date - Game name - Score - Notes (like "was really tired" or "had coffee first" or whatever)

I update it once a week, usually Sunday morning while I'm drinking coffee. Takes like 5 minutes. Super simple.

The key is: I don't track every single game. That would be way too much work and I'd give up after a week. Instead, I just track my BEST score for each game each week. So if I play reaction time 10 times in a week, I only log my best score.

This gives me a sense of progress without being overwhelming. And honestly? Seeing that line go up over time is pretty motivating. Even when I have a bad week, I can look at the overall trend and see that I'm still improving.

Looking for Trends

Individual scores don't mean much. What matters is the trend over time. Are your scores generally going up? That's progress.

I make a simple line graph of my scores over time. Seeing that line trend upward is incredibly motivating. Even if I have a bad day, I can look at the graph and see that overall, I'm improving.

The Real-World Test

Game scores are one thing, but the real test is whether improvements transfer to daily life. So I also track real-world improvements.

I keep a simple journal where I note when I notice my training paying off. For example: - "Remembered a shopping list without writing it down" - "Reacted quickly to avoid a car accident" - "Solved a problem faster than usual"

These aren't scientific measurements, but they're meaningful. If you're noticing improvements in daily life, that's a good sign.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Here's the thing: improvements are gradual. You won't see dramatic changes overnight. In fact, you might not notice changes at all for weeks or months.

I didn't notice any real-world improvements until about 3 months in. And even then, they were subtle. I just realized one day that I was remembering things better than I used to.

Common Mistakes

1. Comparing yourself to others: Don't do this. Everyone's baseline is different. Focus on your own progress.

2. Expecting linear improvement: Progress isn't always smooth. You'll have good weeks and bad weeks. That's normal.

3. Giving up too soon: It takes time to see results. Give it at least 2-3 months before deciding if it's working.

4. Only tracking scores: Scores are important, but real-world improvements matter more.

My Tracking System

Here's my actual system:

Weekly: - Log best scores for each game - Update my progress graph - Note any real-world improvements

Monthly: - Review my progress - Adjust my routine if needed - Celebrate improvements

Quarterly: - Do a comprehensive review - Compare to my baseline - Set new goals

It's simple, but it works. And it doesn't take much time.

The Baseline Problem

One thing I wish I'd done from the start: establish a baseline. Before you start training, take some measurements. Play each game a few times and record your average scores. This gives you something to compare to later.

I didn't do this, so I had to estimate my starting point. It still works, but having actual baseline data would have been better.

Signs It's Working

Here are some signs that your brain training is working:

• Your game scores are trending upward
• You notice improvements in daily life
• Tasks that used to be hard feel easier
• You can hold more information in your head
• Your focus has improved
• You're faster at processing information

You don't need all of these—even one or two is a good sign.

When to Adjust

If you're not seeing any improvements after 2-3 months, it might be time to adjust your approach. Maybe you need to play more consistently. Maybe you need to try different games. Maybe you need to increase the difficulty.

Don't give up—just try something different.

The Bottom Line

Tracking your progress is important, but don't overthink it. Keep it simple. Track your scores. Note real-world improvements. Look for trends over time.

And remember: improvements are gradual. Be patient. Give it time. The changes will come, even if you don't notice them right away.

The most important thing is consistency. If you're playing regularly, you're making progress, even if you can't see it yet.