Retrieval Practice is the Key to Acing your Exams

Read time: 5 minutes 

This blog post was created in collaboration with Meliah Smith. If you'd like to connect with Melia or hire them to help you with any of your writing needs, you can do so by emailing meliah.ams at gmail dot com.


Now that New Year's celebrations have ended and the new semester is in full swing, it's time to maximize your study habits to ace your exams. But how? Perhaps by now, you've heard different ways to study effectively, such as studying right before sleeping, spraying peppermint oil on your clothes, using multi-colored pens— the list goes on. What if the solution to your study needs is much simpler than cramming in as much information as possible before bedtime? 

According to the National Science Foundation, retrieval practice is an evidence-based method that can increase long-term information retention up to 50% better than elaborate study routines. This means you can put the peppermint oil and the 14-pack of colorful pens away and focus on what really works. Retrieval practice involves studying material, then using your memory to recall the information you just learned. The key point is that you need to hide your textbooks and study guides and actively try to pull the learned information solely from your brain. Fortunately, there are many different methods you can use for retrieval practice, so next time you have a study session, test the following ideas out and see which works best for you.

Here are some methods you can use during retrieval practice:

Good ole’ flashcards 

Never underestimate the power of flashcards. There’s a reason people have used them time and time again during exam season: they work. If you make the flashcards by yourself, even better. Reading new information, writing it on a flashcard, then using those cards for retrieval practice is a 3-step process that keeps your brain actively engaged in your study sessions. You can use them alone or in group studies, whatever you prefer, as long as you don’t peek into your textbook for the correct answer. If you want to save money or try a more eco-friendly option for your flashcards, try using Quizlet, an app we highly recommend you use to be successful this semester.

Rapid fire quiz

Now that you’ve made some flashcards, it’s time to put them to use. Have a study buddy quiz you to challenge how well you’ve stored away your study materials, then test them. This process is helpful for both parties, as you’ll learn while quizzing each other. If you want to branch out a little further, have them design a quiz to bring to the next study session and make one for them as well. Once both of you have completed each other’s tests, trade papers and check the answers. If there are any questions that you’ve missed, take note of them, then use that information for your next study session. Keep repeating this process until you’ve retained everything. By the time you’ve done this, you’ll surely be ready to take on any high-stakes tests your teacher throws at you this semester.

Group discussion

If you learn by talking, this is an excellent method to utilize retrieval practice. In your study group, pick a topic on the syllabus for discussion, then study it for a short time (about 5 minutes). After, have everyone close their textbooks and discuss the topic as a group. Everyone’s brains work differently, meaning some people will retain information that others don’t. By having a group discussion, you’ll be able to share the knowledge you’ve gained while also learning details you may have missed. Furthermore, you may have processed the information differently than your peers, so a discussion may help to clarify or debate specific points. If you and your group have a disagreement, whip out your textbook at the end of the debate and work together to decide which argument is correct.

Learn by teaching

Possibly one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it. If you have a study group, assign each member (including yourself) a topic to study. Then, have each person review their topic for a a short time at the beginning of the study session. Once everyone is finished, each member must teach the subject they studied as if they were teaching it to a class. Make sure everyone does it without using their notes or their textbook! During this time, note what they say, even if you think it’s incorrect. When it’s your turn to teach, be open to any corrections or feedback your group members give you. After everyone is finished teaching, discuss each person's notes and make necessary revisions.

Draw a map

Do this method solo or as a group. Choose a term or subject of your choice and draw a mind map with as much information as possible. If you do it in a group, take turns adding nodes to the map. Once everyone reaches a stopping point, review the information and add anything missing. Discuss the map as a group, then check the textbook to ensure it’s complete.

Final thoughts 

Studying for exams may seem like an elusive task, but studies have shown that consistently utilizing your short-term memory can turn new information into long-term memory. This means that it may not be productive to rely heavily on unconventional or elaborate ways of studying. Instead, keep it simple! Shift your focus towards straightforward and effective methods, such as information retrieval. If this method doesn’t work for you, feel free to reach out for some additional guidance. Best of luck to you this semester!

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