Question 1

What is a T-maze and how is it used in behavioral research?

Accepted Answer

A T-maze is a simple maze shaped like the letter T, consisting of a start arm and two goal arms (left and right). The animal is placed at the base of the start arm and must choose between the left or right goal arm on each trial. T-mazes are used to study spatial learning, working memory, and decision-making in rodents. In a discrete-trial rewarded alternation or position discrimination task, one goal arm is baited with a food reward, and the animal must learn which side is correct. The primary measure is percent correct — the proportion of trials on which the animal chooses the rewarded side.

Question 2

What is the discrete-trial procedure in a T-maze task?

Accepted Answer

In the discrete-trial procedure, each trial is a single run from the start arm to one goal arm. The animal is placed at the start, a door is opened, and the animal runs and makes a left or right choice. After the choice, the animal is returned to a holding cage for an inter-trial interval (typically 15-30 seconds) before the next trial. Trials are grouped into blocks (commonly 10 trials per block), and percent correct is computed per block. The criterion for learning is typically defined as a threshold percent correct (e.g., 80% or 8/10) sustained for one or more consecutive blocks.

Question 3

What is reversal learning and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Reversal learning is a phase that begins after the animal reaches criterion on the initial discrimination. The rewarded side is switched (e.g., from left to right), and the animal must learn the new contingency. Reversal learning measures cognitive flexibility — the ability to suppress a previously learned response and acquire a new one. It engages prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex. Animals with lesions or pharmacological manipulations affecting these regions often show impaired reversal learning even when initial acquisition is intact. Comparing trials to criterion in acquisition vs. reversal is a standard analysis.

Question 4

How is percent correct calculated per block?

Accepted Answer

Percent correct per block equals the number of correct trials divided by the total number of trials in that block, multiplied by 100. A trial is correct when the animal chooses the same side as the rewarded side for that trial. For example, if the rewarded side is left and the animal chooses left, that trial is correct. With a block size of 10, if an animal makes 7 correct choices, percent correct for that block is 70%. Chance performance in a two-choice task is 50%, so the chance line on learning curves is drawn at 50%.

Question 5

What is a reasonable criterion for learning in the T-maze?

Accepted Answer

The most common criterion is 80% correct (8 out of 10 trials) for one or two consecutive blocks. Some studies use stricter criteria such as 90% (9/10) or require the criterion to be met across two consecutive blocks to reduce false positives from lucky guessing. The criterion should be specified in your methods section. This calculator reports trials to criterion as the trial number at the end of the first block that meets or exceeds the specified criterion percentage.

Question 6

How should I interpret choice latency in the T-maze?

Accepted Answer

Choice latency is the time from trial start (door opening or animal release) to the moment the animal enters a goal arm. Short latencies with high accuracy suggest confident, well-learned responses. Long latencies may indicate deliberation (vicarious trial and error, or VTE), especially during early learning or at the start of reversal. Increasing latencies during reversal often reflect response conflict between the old and new rules. Mean latency per block is reported alongside percent correct to give a more complete picture of the animal's decision process. Latency entry is optional in this calculator.

Question 7

Can I analyze multiple animals and groups simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enter trial data for each animal with an Animal ID and Group label (e.g., WT or KO). The calculator computes per-block percent correct, trials to criterion, and mean latency for each animal individually, then aggregates group-level statistics (mean plus or minus SEM). The learning curve chart overlays group means across blocks, and the bar chart compares trials to criterion between groups. This allows direct comparison of acquisition and reversal performance across experimental conditions.

T-Maze Percent Correct Calculator

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What Is the T-Maze?

The Discrete-Trial Procedure

Reversal Learning in the T-Maze

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