Examination — Processing Speed

Examination VI

Processing Speed

Symbol Substitution

A key of shapes and their digits, some of them withdrawn before you answer; hold them. Two shapes, an operator, the answer typed against the clock. A minute holds the level.

TrainsThe speed at which a rule is applied without error, and how that speed holds under fatigue. Measurable, and improvable.

Stop rule

Forty levels. Each is a minute under two keys, switched at the half. The key widens, more digits are withheld, the clock tightens, and the operators go from sums to division. Three errors or one silence loses the level; a second loss at a level ends the sitting.

Duration5 min
Lifetime best—
Institution median—
The next mark—
FacultyAttention
Your rank in this Examination—
Tier—

Forty levels; a minute each, under two keys. Some digits are withdrawn before you answer and held from memory. A level held is a match won against its rung; a level lost twice ends the sitting. The next sitting opens from where the rank stands.


Train to the edge. Recover. Return.


The bands, and the figure that reaches each

Levels run 1 to 100. Level 100 is above Sovereign; nobody has reached it.

  1. The summit—100
  2. SovereignΔ 6,40096
  3. PreeminentΔ 3,50081
  4. EliteΔ 1,90065
  5. ExceptionalΔ 1,05050
  6. DistinguishedΔ 67538
  7. ProficientΔ 45028
  8. CompetentΔ 30017
  9. DevelopingΔ 150below 1
  10. NoviceThe floorbelow 1

Infinitely scalable difficulty. It never stops getting harder.