diff --git a/example/src/App.tsx b/example/src/App.tsx
index 1585e16..dd083f7 100755
--- a/example/src/App.tsx
+++ b/example/src/App.tsx
@@ -1,19 +1,44 @@
-import { useState, useEffect } from "react";
+import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
 import { useGame, type GameMode } from "@vimazing/typing-chud";
 import "@vimazing/typing-chud/game.css";
 import { useKeyBindings } from "./useKeyBindings";
+import { testScenarios, getScenario, getScenarioNames, type TestScenario } from "./testStateMachines";
 
 function App() {
-  const [gameMode, setGameMode] = useState<GameMode>("letters");
-  const gameManager = useGame({ gameMode }, useKeyBindings);
-  const { containerRef, gameStatus, scoreManager } = gameManager;
+   const [scenarioId, setScenarioId] = useState<string>("progressive");
+   const scenario = getScenario(scenarioId);
+   const [gameMode, setGameMode] = useState<GameMode>(scenario.initialMode);
+   const gameManager = useGame({ gameMode }, useKeyBindings);
+   const { containerRef, gameStatus, scoreManager } = gameManager;
+   const lastTransitionIndexRef = useRef<number>(-1);
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (scoreManager.score === 5 && gameMode === "letters") {
-      setGameMode("words");
-      gameManager.changeGameMode({ gameMode: "words" });
-    }
-  }, [scoreManager.score, gameMode, gameManager]);
+   useEffect(() => {
+     if (gameStatus !== "started") return;
+
+     const currentTransitionIdx = scenario.transitions.findIndex((t) => t.fromMode === gameMode);
+     console.log(`[DEBUG] gameMode=${gameMode}, currentTransitionIdx=${currentTransitionIdx}, lastTransitionIndex=${lastTransitionIndexRef.current}`);
+     
+     if (currentTransitionIdx === -1 || currentTransitionIdx <= lastTransitionIndexRef.current) {
+       console.log(`[DEBUG] SKIPPING - already processed or no transition found`);
+       return;
+     }
+
+     const currentTransition = scenario.transitions[currentTransitionIdx];
+     const currentCount = scoreManager.currentCount;
+     
+     console.log(`[DEBUG] currentCount=${currentCount}, threshold=${currentTransition.threshold}, lettersCompleted=${scoreManager.lettersCompleted}, wordsCompleted=${scoreManager.wordsCompleted}, sentencesCompleted=${scoreManager.sentencesCompleted}`);
+     
+     if (currentCount >= currentTransition.threshold) {
+       console.log(`[DEBUG] TRIGGERING TRANSITION: ${currentTransition.fromMode} -> ${currentTransition.targetMode}`);
+       lastTransitionIndexRef.current = currentTransitionIdx;
+       setGameMode(currentTransition.targetMode);
+       gameManager.changeGameMode({ gameMode: currentTransition.targetMode });
+     }
+   }, [scoreManager.currentCount, gameMode, gameManager, scenario, gameStatus, scoreManager.lettersCompleted, scoreManager.wordsCompleted, scoreManager.sentencesCompleted]);
+
+   useEffect(() => {
+     lastTransitionIndexRef.current = -1;
+   }, [scenarioId]);
 
   const formatTime = (ms: number) => {
     const seconds = Math.floor(ms / 1000);
@@ -22,56 +47,110 @@ function App() {
     return `${minutes}:${remainingSeconds.toString().padStart(2, "0")}`;
   };
 
-  return (
-    <div className="relative mx-auto my-4 w-fit space-y-4">
-      <div className="space-y-2">
-        <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-center">Typing Chud</h1>
-        <div className="flex gap-2 justify-center text-sm">
-          {(['letters', 'words', 'sentences', 'paragraphs'] as const).map((mode) => (
-            <button
-              key={mode}
-              onClick={(e) => {
-                setGameMode(mode);
-                gameManager.changeGameMode({ gameMode: mode });
-                e.currentTarget.blur(); // Remove focus from button
-              }}
-              className={`px-3 py-1 rounded capitalize font-medium transition ${gameMode === mode
-                ? 'bg-blue-600 text-white'
-                : 'bg-muted text-foreground hover:bg-blue-500 hover:text-white'
-                }`}
-            >
-              {mode}
-            </button>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-      </div>
+   return (
+     <div className="relative mx-auto my-4 w-fit space-y-4">
+       <div className="space-y-2">
+         <h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-center">Typing Chud</h1>
+         
+         <div className="space-y-2">
+           <div className="text-center">
+             <label className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Test Scenario:</label>
+             <select
+               value={scenarioId}
+               onChange={(e) => {
+                 setScenarioId(e.target.value);
+                 const newScenario = getScenario(e.target.value);
+                 setGameMode(newScenario.initialMode);
+                 gameManager.changeGameMode({ gameMode: newScenario.initialMode });
+               }}
+               className="w-full px-2 py-1 rounded text-sm bg-muted text-foreground border border-muted-foreground"
+             >
+               {getScenarioNames().map(({ id, name }) => (
+                 <option key={id} value={id}>
+                   {name}
+                 </option>
+               ))}
+             </select>
+             <p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mt-1">{scenario.description}</p>
+           </div>
 
-      <div className="grid grid-cols-6 gap-2 justify-center text-sm font-mono">
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Time</div>
-          <div className="font-bold">{formatTime(scoreManager.timeValue)}</div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Score</div>
-          <div className="font-bold">{scoreManager.score}</div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-green-900 rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-green-200">Correct</div>
-          <div className="font-bold text-green-100">{scoreManager.correct}</div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-yellow-900 rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-yellow-200">Missed</div>
-          <div className="font-bold text-yellow-100">{scoreManager.missed}</div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-red-900 rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-red-200">Deaths</div>
-          <div className="font-bold text-red-100">{scoreManager.deaths}</div>
-        </div>
-        <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
-          <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Keystrokes</div>
-          <div className="font-bold">{scoreManager.totalKeystrokes}</div>
-        </div>
-      </div>
+           <div className="text-center">
+             <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground mb-2">Mode Selection:</div>
+             <div className="flex gap-2 justify-center text-sm">
+               {(['letters', 'words', 'sentences', 'paragraphs'] as const).map((mode) => (
+                 <button
+                   key={mode}
+                   onClick={(e) => {
+                     setGameMode(mode);
+                     gameManager.changeGameMode({ gameMode: mode });
+                     e.currentTarget.blur();
+                   }}
+                   className={`px-3 py-1 rounded capitalize font-medium transition ${gameMode === mode
+                     ? 'bg-blue-600 text-white'
+                     : 'bg-muted text-foreground hover:bg-blue-500 hover:text-white'
+                     }`}
+                 >
+                   {mode}
+                 </button>
+               ))}
+             </div>
+           </div>
+         </div>
+       </div>
+
+       <div className="grid grid-cols-8 gap-2 justify-center text-sm font-mono">
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Time</div>
+           <div className="font-bold">{formatTime(scoreManager.timeValue)}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Score</div>
+           <div className="font-bold">{scoreManager.score}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-green-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-green-200">Correct</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-green-100">{scoreManager.correct}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-yellow-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-yellow-200">Missed</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-yellow-100">{scoreManager.missed}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-red-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-red-200">Deaths</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-red-100">{scoreManager.deaths}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-purple-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-purple-200">Current</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-purple-100">{scoreManager.currentCount}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-cyan-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-cyan-200">Total</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-cyan-100">{scoreManager.lettersCompleted + scoreManager.wordsCompleted + scoreManager.sentencesCompleted + scoreManager.paragraphsCompleted}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-muted rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-muted-foreground">Keystrokes</div>
+           <div className="font-bold">{scoreManager.totalKeystrokes}</div>
+         </div>
+       </div>
+
+       <div className="grid grid-cols-4 gap-2 justify-center text-sm font-mono">
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-blue-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-blue-200">Letters</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-blue-100">{scoreManager.lettersCompleted}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-blue-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-blue-200">Words</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-blue-100">{scoreManager.wordsCompleted}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-blue-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-blue-200">Sentences</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-blue-100">{scoreManager.sentencesCompleted}</div>
+         </div>
+         <div className="px-3 py-1 bg-blue-900 rounded">
+           <div className="text-xs text-blue-200">Paragraphs</div>
+           <div className="font-bold text-blue-100">{scoreManager.paragraphsCompleted}</div>
+         </div>
+       </div>
 
       <div ref={containerRef} className="relative" />
 
diff --git a/example/src/testStateMachines.ts b/example/src/testStateMachines.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..690a2bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/src/testStateMachines.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+import type { GameMode } from '@vimazing/typing-chud';
+
+export type ModeTransition = {
+  fromMode: GameMode;
+  threshold: number;
+  targetMode: GameMode;
+  description: string;
+};
+
+export type TestScenario = {
+  id: string;
+  name: string;
+  description: string;
+  initialMode: GameMode;
+  transitions: ModeTransition[];
+};
+
+export const testScenarios: Record<string, TestScenario> = {
+  progressive: {
+    id: 'progressive',
+    name: 'Progressive Mode Ladder',
+    description: 'Automatically progress through all modes: 10 letters → 10 words → 5 sentences → 3 paragraphs',
+    initialMode: 'letters',
+    transitions: [
+      {
+        fromMode: 'letters',
+        threshold: 10,
+        targetMode: 'words',
+        description: 'After 10 letters, switch to words',
+      },
+      {
+        fromMode: 'words',
+        threshold: 10,
+        targetMode: 'sentences',
+        description: 'After 10 words, switch to sentences',
+      },
+      {
+        fromMode: 'sentences',
+        threshold: 5,
+        targetMode: 'paragraphs',
+        description: 'After 5 sentences, switch to paragraphs',
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+
+  lettersOnly: {
+    id: 'lettersOnly',
+    name: 'Letters Only',
+    description: 'Stay in letters mode (baseline)',
+    initialMode: 'letters',
+    transitions: [],
+  },
+
+  wordsOnly: {
+    id: 'wordsOnly',
+    name: 'Words Only',
+    description: 'Start in words mode (baseline)',
+    initialMode: 'words',
+    transitions: [],
+  },
+
+  sentencesOnly: {
+    id: 'sentencesOnly',
+    name: 'Sentences Only',
+    description: 'Start in sentences mode (baseline)',
+    initialMode: 'sentences',
+    transitions: [],
+  },
+
+  paragraphsOnly: {
+    id: 'paragraphsOnly',
+    name: 'Paragraphs Only',
+    description: 'Start in paragraphs mode (baseline)',
+    initialMode: 'paragraphs',
+    transitions: [],
+  },
+
+  rapidTransitions: {
+    id: 'rapidTransitions',
+    name: 'Rapid Transitions',
+    description: 'Quick transitions: 3 letters → 3 words → 2 sentences → 1 paragraph',
+    initialMode: 'letters',
+    transitions: [
+      {
+        fromMode: 'letters',
+        threshold: 3,
+        targetMode: 'words',
+        description: 'After 3 letters, switch to words',
+      },
+      {
+        fromMode: 'words',
+        threshold: 3,
+        targetMode: 'sentences',
+        description: 'After 3 words, switch to sentences',
+      },
+      {
+        fromMode: 'sentences',
+        threshold: 2,
+        targetMode: 'paragraphs',
+        description: 'After 2 sentences, switch to paragraphs',
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+
+  backAndForth: {
+    id: 'backAndForth',
+    name: 'Back and Forth',
+    description: 'Oscillate between modes: 5 letters ↔ 5 words ↔ 5 letters',
+    initialMode: 'letters',
+    transitions: [
+      {
+        fromMode: 'letters',
+        threshold: 5,
+        targetMode: 'words',
+        description: 'After 5 letters, switch to words',
+      },
+      {
+        fromMode: 'words',
+        threshold: 5,
+        targetMode: 'letters',
+        description: 'After 5 words, switch back to letters',
+      },
+    ],
+  },
+};
+
+export function getScenario(id: string): TestScenario {
+  return testScenarios[id] || testScenarios.progressive;
+}
+
+export function getScenarioNames(): { id: string; name: string }[] {
+  return Object.entries(testScenarios).map(([id, scenario]) => ({
+    id,
+    name: scenario.name,
+  }));
+}
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
index 75437cb..b4862cb 100755
--- a/src/types.ts
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@ export type GameStatusManager = {
    wordsCompleted: number;
    sentencesCompleted: number;
    paragraphsCompleted: number;
+   currentGameMode: GameMode;
    getCurrentCount: () => number;
  };
 
diff --git a/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts b/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
index ed7f9aa..a5cc501 100755
--- a/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
+++ b/src/useGameStatus/useGameStatus.ts
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ export function useGameStatus(_onGameLoopTick?: (deltaTime: number, letters: Fal
    const [wordsCompleted, setWordsCompleted] = useState(0);
    const [sentencesCompleted, setSentencesCompleted] = useState(0);
    const [paragraphsCompleted, setParagraphsCompleted] = useState(0);
+   const [currentGameMode, setCurrentGameMode] = useState<GameMode>(gameMode);
   const gameLoopRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
   const lastFrameTimeRef = useRef<number>(0);
   const lettersRef = useRef<FallingLetter[]>([]);
@@ -325,35 +326,43 @@ export function useGameStatus(_onGameLoopTick?: (deltaTime: number, letters: Fal
     onGameLoopTickRef.current = callback;
   };
 
-  const setGameMode = (mode: GameMode) => {
-    gameModeRef.current = mode;
-  };
+   const setGameMode = (mode: GameMode) => {
+     gameModeRef.current = mode;
+     setCurrentGameMode(mode);
+   };
 
   const setPendingOptions = (newOptions: GameOptions) => {
     pendingOptionsRef.current = newOptions;
+    
+    // Update currentGameMode immediately so getCurrentCount() returns the correct value
+    if (newOptions.gameMode) {
+      setCurrentGameMode(newOptions.gameMode);
+      gameModeRef.current = newOptions.gameMode;
+    }
   };
 
-  const applyPendingOptions = () => {
-    if (!pendingOptionsRef.current) return;
-    
-    const pending = pendingOptionsRef.current;
-    pendingOptionsRef.current = null;
-    
-    // Update game mode
-    if (pending.gameMode) {
-      gameModeRef.current = pending.gameMode;
-    }
-    
-    // Update speed ref
-    if (pending.downwardSpeed !== undefined) {
-      downwardSpeedRef.current = pending.downwardSpeed;
-    }
-    
-    // Update word list ref
-    if (pending.wordList !== undefined) {
-      wordListRef.current = pending.wordList;
-    }
-  };
+   const applyPendingOptions = () => {
+     if (!pendingOptionsRef.current) return;
+     
+     const pending = pendingOptionsRef.current;
+     pendingOptionsRef.current = null;
+     
+     // Update game mode
+     if (pending.gameMode) {
+       gameModeRef.current = pending.gameMode;
+       setCurrentGameMode(pending.gameMode);
+     }
+     
+     // Update speed ref
+     if (pending.downwardSpeed !== undefined) {
+       downwardSpeedRef.current = pending.downwardSpeed;
+     }
+     
+     // Update word list ref
+     if (pending.wordList !== undefined) {
+       wordListRef.current = pending.wordList;
+     }
+   };
 
   const addCorrect = () => {
     setScore(prev => prev + 1);
@@ -382,7 +391,7 @@ export function useGameStatus(_onGameLoopTick?: (deltaTime: number, letters: Fal
    };
 
    const getCurrentCount = (): number => {
-     const mode = gameModeRef.current;
+     const mode = currentGameMode;
      if (mode === 'letters') {
        return lettersCompleted;
      } else if (mode === 'words') {
@@ -419,6 +428,7 @@ export function useGameStatus(_onGameLoopTick?: (deltaTime: number, letters: Fal
      wordsCompleted,
      sentencesCompleted,
      paragraphsCompleted,
+     currentGameMode,
      getCurrentCount,
    };
  }
diff --git a/src/useScore/useScore.ts b/src/useScore/useScore.ts
index 12ea1fa..9cc3331 100755
--- a/src/useScore/useScore.ts
+++ b/src/useScore/useScore.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ export function useScore(gameStatusManager: any): ScoreManager {
     return () => clearInterval(interval);
   }, [gameStatusManager.gameStatus]);
 
+   const currentCount = gameStatusManager.getCurrentCount();
+
    return {
      timeValue,
      totalKeystrokes: 0, // TODO: Track keystrokes from keyboard input
@@ -25,7 +27,7 @@ export function useScore(gameStatusManager: any): ScoreManager {
      wordsCompleted: gameStatusManager.wordsCompleted,
      sentencesCompleted: gameStatusManager.sentencesCompleted,
      paragraphsCompleted: gameStatusManager.paragraphsCompleted,
-     currentCount: gameStatusManager.getCurrentCount(),
+     currentCount,
    };
  }