A 2005 study at the University of Pennsylvania of multiple Hurry Date speed dating events found that most people made their choices within the first three seconds of meeting.

Furthermore, issues such as religion, previous marriages, and smoking habits were found to play much less of a role than expected.

At the end of each interval, the organizer rings a bell, clinks a glass, or blows a whistle to signal the participants to move on to the next date.

In a 2012 study, researchers found that activation of specific brain regions while viewing images of opposite-sex speed dating participants was predictive of whether or not a participant would later pursue or reject the viewed participants at an actual speed dating event.

Men and women made decisions in a similar manner which incorporated the physical attractiveness and likability of the viewed participants in their evaluation.

At the end of the event participants submit to the organizers a list of who they would like to provide their contact information to.

If there is a match, contact information is forwarded to both parties.