The internet is full of visual puzzles and riddles, and one of the latest challenges to grab everyone’s attention is the “Vision Test,” where participants are tasked with noticing how many times the letter “m” appears in a grid filled with “n” letters.

At first glance, the grid seems simple enough—rows of lowercase “n”s—but hidden among them are a few cleverly placed “m”s that are easy to ignore. This test is designed to test your attention to detail, visual perception, and patience.

Why are these tests so common?

These puzzles tap into our innate need to solve problems and test our skills. They’re also a fun way to break away from the monotony of the day while giving our brains a little boost. Plus, finding the answer, especially when it seems elusive, provides a certain satisfaction.

Psychology of the puzzle

This particular puzzle exploits our brain’s tendency to notice patterns. Seeing a grid full of “n” letters, the brain quickly creates a pattern and predicts its continuation, making it difficult to spot the subtle differences that represent the letter “m.” The challenge is to slow down and carefully analyze each character, forcing the brain to shift from automatic pattern recognition to detailed observation.