Origin & History
The Schulte Grid exercise was developed by German psychiatrist Walter Schulte in the 1960s as a diagnostic
tool for assessing attention and concentration abilities. Originally used in clinical settings to evaluate
cognitive performance, it has since evolved into one of the most effective brain training exercises for
improving focus and peripheral vision.
Dr. Schulte's research demonstrated that regular practice with these grids could significantly enhance visual
scanning speed, attention span, and overall cognitive processing efficiency.
Scientific Principles
Schulte Grid training works on several cognitive principles:
- Peripheral Vision Enhancement: Forces your eyes to scan the entire grid, expanding your
visual field
- Attention Training: Improves sustained attention and concentration abilities
- Working Memory: Strengthens short-term memory and number recognition
- Visual Processing Speed: Increases the speed at which your brain processes visual
information
- Eye Movement Efficiency: Reduces saccadic eye movements and improves scanning patterns
Applications & Benefits
Schulte Grid training is widely used in:
- Speed Reading Programs: Essential component in speed reading courses worldwide
- Aviation Training: Used by pilots to improve situational awareness and scanning skills
- Sports Performance: Helps athletes enhance peripheral vision and reaction times
- Educational Settings: Improves reading comprehension and focus in students
- Professional Development: Used in corporate training for attention management
- Therapeutic Applications: Helps individuals with ADHD and attention disorders
Performance Standards & Benchmarks
Realistic performance evaluation based on completion time:
- 3x3 Grid: Exceptional: <5s, Advanced: 5-8s, Intermediate: 8-12s
- 4x4 Grid: Exceptional: <10s, Advanced: 10-15s, Intermediate: 15-22s
- 5x5 Grid: Exceptional: <18s, Advanced: 18-25s, Intermediate: 25-35s
- 6x6 Grid: Exceptional: <28s, Advanced: 28-40s, Intermediate: 40-55s
- 7x7 Grid: Exceptional: <42s, Advanced: 42-60s, Intermediate: 60-80s
Training Tips: Practice daily for 10-15 minutes. Focus on accuracy first, then speed.
Regular training can improve performance by 30-50% within 2-4 weeks.