Trail Making Test
Trail Making Test (Part A & B) – Processing Speed & Flexibility
Connect the numbers, then alternate numbers and letters — a quick, timed read on your processing speed and mental flexibility right now.
Trail Making Test
The Trail Making Test is a classic neuropsychological task for visual attention, processing speed and mental flexibility. In Part A you connect numbers in order; in Part B you alternate between numbers and letters. How fast and cleanly you do it is a real-time read on how sharp and flexible your mind is right now — it slows when you're tired, stressed or overstimulated.
- Part A: tap the numbers in order — 1, 2, 3 … up to 12.
- Part B: alternate numbers and letters — 1, A, 2, B, 3, C …
- Work as fast as you can without lifting your focus. A timer runs for each part.
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About the Trail Making Test
The Trail Making Test (TMT), part of the Halstead–Reitan battery, is one of the most widely used tests of visual attention, processing speed and executive flexibility. Part A (numbers only) reflects raw processing speed; Part B (alternating numbers and letters) adds task-switching, and the gap between them isolates mental flexibility. Here it works as a quick mirror of how sharp and flexible your mind is in the moment, which shifts with rest, stress and stimulation.
- This is a self-awareness tool reflecting your current state, not a clinical or diagnostic version of the test. Results vary with screen size, device, mouse vs touch, and tiredness.
Talk through your results with AI
Want to go deeper than a score? Copy the prompt below into ChatGPT, Claude or another AI assistant to reflect on your results, ask follow-up questions and get practical next steps. AI can be a helpful thinking partner for self-reflection — but it is not a therapist. Please read the note below.
I just completed the Trail Making Test (Part A & B) – Processing Speed & Flexibility, a self-assessment questionnaire. I'd like to reflect on what my results might mean. Please act as a supportive, evidence-based wellbeing coach: first ask me 2–3 clarifying questions, then explain in plain language what my results could indicate, and suggest small, realistic steps I could try over the next two weeks. Be honest about the limits of a self-test, and tell me when it would be wise to talk to a qualified professional.
AI assistants can make mistakes and are not a substitute for professional diagnosis or care. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline right away.
About this tool
What is Trail Making Test?
An interactive, timed version of the classic Trail Making Test: Part A connects numbers 1–12 in order, Part B alternates numbers and letters (1-A-2-B…), measuring visual attention, processing speed and task-switching.
What is it for?
See how fast and flexible your mind is right now, and how sleep, stress and stimulation are affecting your focus and mental agility.
How to read your result
A faster, cleaner run with a small gap between Part B and Part A (and a higher index) means quicker, more flexible processing.
This is a self-awareness tool reflecting your current state, not a clinical or diagnostic version of the test. Results vary with screen size, device, mouse vs touch, and tiredness.
Classification & Reference
| Index | State |
|---|---|
| 80–100 | Sharp |
| 60–79 | Clear |
| 40–59 | Sluggish |
| 0–39 | Foggy |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Trail Making Test?
The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a widely used neuropsychological test of visual attention, processing speed and mental flexibility. It has two parts: Part A, where you connect numbers 1, 2, 3… in order as fast as you can, and Part B, where you alternate between numbers and letters (1-A-2-B-3-C…). It's part of the Halstead–Reitan battery and is used in research and screening for cognitive processing speed and executive function.
What is the difference between Trail Making Test A and B?
Part A uses numbers only and mainly measures visual scanning and raw processing speed. Part B alternates numbers and letters, so it adds working memory and task-switching (executive function). Because Part B is harder, it usually takes longer; the gap between B and A (the B−A difference) is often used to isolate mental flexibility from pure speed.
What is a good Trail Making Test time?
In the standard 25-item paper version, average adults finish Part A in roughly 30 seconds and Part B in about 75 seconds, with times rising with age. This interactive version uses fewer nodes and a mouse or touchscreen, so times differ — the most useful comparison is your own trend across different days and states, not clinical norms.
What does the Trail Making Test measure?
It measures how quickly you can visually search a field, process what you see, and — in Part B — flexibly switch between two mental sets. Slower times or a large B−A gap can reflect reduced processing speed or executive flexibility, which everyday factors like poor sleep, stress and mental fatigue also push down.
Is this Trail Making Test a diagnosis?
No. This is a quick self-check that mirrors how sharp and flexible your attention feels right now; it is not a clinical assessment or a diagnosis of any condition. A single slow run usually just reflects tiredness or a distracting environment. If you're worried about persistent changes in memory or attention, speak with a healthcare professional.
Can I use ChatGPT or Claude to understand my results?
Yes. AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude can be a useful way to reflect on what your results mean and explore next steps, and this tool gives you a ready-made prompt plus a one-click link to start that conversation. Keep in mind that AI is not a licensed professional and cannot diagnose you — for a formal assessment, or if you are struggling, please consult a qualified health professional.