FAQ and help

The site

What is Neurostim?

A brain training site, online since 2008: mental arithmetic, memory, logic, reflexes and perception, played solo, in a duel against another member or in a tournament. Everything runs in the browser, with nothing to install.

Do I need an account?

Not for training: training games can be played as a visitor. An account is needed for duels, tournaments, messaging and to appear in the rankings. Games played as a visitor in the 30 days before you sign up or log in are added to your account.

Games and scores

Which games?

In training, no account needed: Fast Count, Memory, Memo Chars, Patrons, Memory Crazy, Counter, Color keypad, Global test. The Global test measures five areas: arithmetic, memory, logic, reflexes and perception.

The site's other games, each with its rules on its own page: Anagrun, Bitgrid, Brinkhaul, Cofferwit, Dotshot, Falsum, Feinthold, Flashtap, Gridrush, Inkgrid, Minesprint, Mnemosaic, Neuroyale, Numerank, Spanrun, Sudoku, Tallyworks, Tamper, Terrastead, Typerun.

How is the score calculated?

For Fast Count and Patrons: 1,000 × correct answers ÷ seconds, rounded; with no correct answer, the score is 0. On equal scores, the faster player ranks first. Time is measured by the server. Each game restates its rule on its own page.

Coaches and levels

Two coaches comment on your games; you choose yours on the My coach page. You move up to the next level with 18 correct answers out of 20.

Duels and tournaments

Credits

Every new account receives 1,000 credits once its email address is confirmed. They are used as stakes in duels and tournaments and cannot be bought.

Duels

You challenge a member, with or without a stake in credits. A challenge stays open for 48 hours; once it is accepted, each player plays their game within 24 hours, on the same series of questions. The higher score wins the stake; in case of a tie, the duel is drawn and the stakes are returned. Duels count toward an Elo ranking. Between two accounts seen on the same connection or in the same browser in the last 30 days (linked accounts), duels and tournaments are played with nothing at stake: stakes returned, no Elo, no winnings.

Tournaments

Up to ten players, the same stake for everyone and the same series of questions. The whole pot is paid out: to the winner, and to the runner-up when there are three or more players. In case of a perfect tie for first place, the winners split the winner's share. You can enter if your credit balance covers the stake.

Feedback

Feedback rates a member's behavior: positive, neutral or negative. On the member's profile, positive feedback counts 2 points, neutral feedback 1 point, and negative feedback takes away 1 point.

Account and data

I had an account on the old site

Your account has been carried over with your scores. The first time you log in, the site sends a link to the account's email address so you can choose a new password. An account without an email address stays visible in the rankings but can no longer log in.

What data is kept?

Every game is recorded (questions, answers, times) to calculate the scores and detect cheating. The IP address is never stored in plain text: only a hash of it is kept, then erased after 12 months. In your preferences, you choose whether to appear in the activity feed and whether to show your global test report. Full details: Personal data.

Delete my account

From “My account”, “Delete my account”: your personal data is erased; your games, duels and messages remain for others to see, under an anonymous name.

Any other question? See the Contact page.