If you've ever come across a square grid where you need to quickly find numbers in ascending order, it was probably a Schulte table. At first glance, it seems extremely simple, but behind that simplicity lies a method that has been tested for decades in psychology and education. The history of the table begins in the mid-20th century with a scientific experiment that led to its spread around the world.
At first, it might not seem like a game in the usual sense — no graphics, no rules, no opponents. Just a grid and numbers. But this simplicity is its strength. The Schulte table has long become part of the world of logic games and is rightly considered one of the most effective exercises for training attention. To understand its value, it's worth going back to where it all began.
The history of the Schulte table
The Schulte table was first proposed in 1962 by the German psychiatrist and psychologist Walter Schulte. He was born in 1910 in Frankfurt am Main and studied medicine at the university in his hometown. By 1934, Schulte had defended his doctoral dissertation and continued his scientific work under the guidance of Hans Berger — a pioneer in electroencephalography. He worked in Jena, Wefil, and Gütersloh, where he held senior positions in psychiatric institutions.
In the 1960s, Schulte became a professor and headed the university neurology clinic in Tübingen. From 1965 to 1967, he led the German section of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), and in 1968, he was elected a member of the Leopoldina — Germany’s oldest scientific academy.
Originally, the table was created as a psychodiagnostic tool — not a game, but a way to study patients’ attention stability. The method proved simple, clear, and effective in measuring concentration even when fatigued.
The first publications describing Schulte’s method appeared in the 1960s in the German academic community. The exercise quickly spread to clinics, where it was used as part of cognitive diagnostics. Later, educators and psycholinguistics specialists also became interested. They discovered that regular training with the Schulte table significantly improves the ability to quickly perceive text — especially in children and teenagers with learning difficulties.
Gradually, the Schulte table spread beyond the scientific field and began to be used in teaching and everyday practice. It was used by school teachers and ophthalmologists alike — including for training peripheral vision. It found especially wide use in speed reading courses: the table became one of the basic tools for preparing the eyes to perceive text in blocks rather than letter by letter. It was also used as a quick way to assess current attention levels — for example, before classes or cognitive tasks.
Over the years, the Schulte table not only remained relevant but also received many digital adaptations. As early as the 1990s, the first computer versions appeared — with the ability to select grid size and set time limits. Today, such exercises are available on smartphones and tablets: in addition to numbers, users can choose tables with letters, symbols, and colors, as well as different difficulty levels.
Interesting facts
- In some German schools, the Schulte table is used before tests or at the beginning of lessons — as a way to quickly activate attention and focus. This short warm-up helps students shift into working mode more quickly.
- The popularity of the Schulte table has inspired enthusiasts to hold unofficial speed competitions. Some participants complete the classic 5×5 grid in under 5 seconds — there are videos online showing such results, although no official records exist.
- The Schulte table is often used in speed reading courses. According to teachers, just 10–15 minutes of regular practice per day can noticeably increase reading speed after 2–3 weeks — by an average of 20–30%. These figures are not scientifically proven, but the method's effectiveness has been repeatedly confirmed in practice.
- The Schulte table has also attracted interest from military institutions. In some countries, it is included in pilot and air traffic controller selection tests — professions where quick attention shifts and visual information processing are especially important.
- There are various versions of the Schulte table, each targeting the development of specific cognitive skills. For example, the Gorbov–Schulte modification includes alternating red and black numbers — which requires constant attention switching between colors. In another version, numbers are replaced with letters — a format especially useful for memory and visual perception training. Another type uses multicolored cells, increasing the attention load and making the task much more dynamic.
Over time, the Schulte table has become a classic among attention training exercises. Its format requires no explanation — a single glance is enough to grasp the essence. It's a rare case where form and function align so precisely. The secret of its popularity lies not only in its simplicity but also in its practical benefit. It helps you focus before a task, release mental tension, or quickly switch between activities. Just a few minutes a day — and your attention will start working more precisely. Try it yourself — free and without registration!