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Complex span

Reading-Span Task

Read a sentence and judge if it makes sense (true/false). Then remember its last word. Do this for 2–5 sentences in a row. Recall the words in order.

What makes this one different

We use partial-credit scoring (proportion of words recalled in correct position) instead of all-or-nothing. That gives a more sensitive measure, and the serial-position curve shows whether you're losing the start, end, or middle.

Set size 2
Score 0
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Serial-position curve

Where are you losing words? Primacy (start), recency (end), or both?

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What problem does it solve?

The reading-span task is the canonical measure of complex working memory — working memory under processing load. It correlates strongly with reading comprehension, fluid intelligence, and academic performance. Unlike simple digit span, it taxes both storage and processing simultaneously.

Who is this for

How to interpret your results

Best set size of 4–5 with partial credit above 70% is typical.

Serial-position curve classic shape: primacy + recency effects. Loss in the middle is normal; loss only at start or end can hint at different strategies.

Limitations

  • Sentence truth-value judgments add noise — if you read slowly or find the sentences ambiguous, your score suffers.
  • Word-pool is generic English. Multilingual users may have an easier/harder time depending on vocabulary.

FAQ

Why does it use TRUE/FALSE judgments?

Because that ensures you actually process the sentence — not just read the last word and stop. The processing load is the point of the test.

What if I just guess True every time?

You can — but the word-recall still works on its own. The TRUE/FALSE judgments are scored but don't gate progression.

How do I use Reading-Span Task step by step without mistakes?Follow the order given in the usage section: Read sentences and remember the final word of each. Partial-credit and serial-position scoring reveal how working memory load affects comprehension. The step-by-step part matters less than the unit check that sits inside it. Confirm every unit matches the thing you are actually trying to measure before you press calculate - that single check catches more wrong answers than any other habit, and it costs about ten seconds.
What are the common mistakes when using Reading-Span Task?Most common mistakes come down to four habits: entering 20 when the field expects 0.2 because the field is a percentage; leaving a field blank and accepting the default without checking what it stands for; changing one input and reading a result that was calculated before the change; and quoting the output as an exact figure when the page describes it as a reference estimate. Press calculate again after any edit, and treat the number as a reference point rather than a final answer.
How do I read the result from Reading-Span Task?Read the final figure first, then come back to this section for the conditions behind it: Best set size of 4–5 with partial credit above 70% is typical. Serial-position curve classic shape: primacy + recency effects. Loss in the middle is normal; loss only at start or end can hint at different strategies. Keep two things apart: the number itself, which comes from the values you typed, and the assumptions it depends on, which decide whether that number is meaningful. The page sets out what a higher or lower result means for your case, so check that direction as well as the magnitude.
Can I act on the Reading-Span Task result directly?Treat it as one reference sheet before you decide, rather than as the answer itself: Sentence truth-value judgments add noise — if you read slowly or find the sentences ambiguous, your score suffers. Word-pool is generic English. Multilingual users may have an easier/harder time depending on vocabulary. The output describes a magnitude under the conditions you entered. It does not include what it actually costs to act, what might change while you act, or how the other side behaves. Before you commit, compare the result against reality and note which assumptions do not hold where you are.
What inputs does Reading-Span Task need?The inputs for this tool sit in the form area of the page - fill them in one at a time as prompted. Before you start, check that each one uses the unit you actually measured: mismatched units are the most common source of a wrong answer here.