Why is rereading considered ineffective for studying?

Rereading is considered to have low utility because passive repetitive reading offers little to no benefit for learning. While it might slightly improve retention, it's significantly less effective compared to active retrieval methods.

What is active recall and why is it effective?

Active recall, also known as practice testing, involves retrieving information from your brain. The act of retrieving information strengthens neural connections, making it a far more effective learning strategy than simply re-exposing yourself to the material.

What are some practical ways to implement active recall?

Practical methods for active recall include using flashcard apps like Anki, making notes with the book closed by recalling information first, and writing your own questions about the material to answer during revision.

How does the Anki app work for studying?

Anki is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition. It shows you cards based on how easily you recall the information, repeating harder concepts more frequently and easier ones less often, optimizing memorization.

Why is making notes with the book closed effective?

Making notes with the book closed forces you to actively retrieve information from memory. After writing down what you recall, you can check your book for missed details, making it a much more potent learning experience than copying directly.

What evidence supports active recall over passive study methods?

Multiple studies, some dating back to 1939, show significant performance increases with active recall compared to rereading or restudying. A 2011 study even found students rated active recall as least effective, while research proved it was the most effective.

Key Moments

How to study for exams - Evidence-based revision tips

Ali Abdaal

Education3 min read21 min video

Apr 4, 2018|5,431,811 views|243,786|5,417

study tips how to study revision tips how to revise exam revision exam study exam revision tips cambridge medical student

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Use active recall, not rereading or highlighting, for better exam prep.

Key Insights

Rereading, highlighting, and summarizing are popular but less effective revision techniques.

Active recall, or testing yourself, is a highly effective strategy for strengthening memory.

Evidence shows active recall significantly outperforms passive study methods like rereading.

Practical active recall methods include using flashcards (like Anki), making notes with books closed, and writing/answering questions.

Our intuition about effective study methods often contradicts scientific evidence.

Future revision strategies should incorporate active recall and spaced repetition for optimal results.

INEFFECTIVE POPULAR REVISION TECHNIQUES

Many students rely on rereading, highlighting, and summarizing as their primary study methods. However, psychological research consistently demonstrates these techniques have low utility. Rereading, despite its popularity, provides minimal benefit to learning. Highlighting, while it can feel productive, often fails to improve performance, especially on complex tasks requiring inference. Summarizing can be effective for those already skilled, but for most students, it is time-consuming and less impactful than other methods. The evidence suggests these commonly used strategies are not the most efficient for exam preparation.

THE POWER OF ACTIVE RECALL

In contrast to passive methods, active recall, also known as practice testing or active retrieval, is identified as a highly effective study technique. This strategy involves actively retrieving information from memory, which strengthens neural connections. Decades of research indicate that the act of recalling information is more beneficial for learning than simply trying to re-ingest it through rereading. This often goes against students' intuitive understanding of learning, which tends to focus on input rather than output.

EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR ACTIVE RECALL

Multiple studies provide robust evidence for the effectiveness of active recall. Early research from the 1930s showed that students who engaged in practice tests achieved significantly higher scores compared to those who only restudied material. More recent studies from 2010 and 2011 further confirm these findings, demonstrating that active recall improves performance on both factual recall and higher-level inference questions. Critically, students often underestimate the effectiveness of active recall, rating passive methods like repeated studying as superior, highlighting a disconnect between student perception and scientific findings.

AN IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVE RECALL: ANKI

An effective tool for implementing active recall is flashcard software like Anki. This application uses spaced repetition, presenting information at intervals tailored to the user's recall ability. By marking cards as easy, medium, or hard, users train the algorithm to re-expose them to challenging material more frequently. Anki is particularly useful for memorizing discrete facts, such as anatomical terms or drug mechanisms, and can also be adapted for memorizing chunks of information, like key studies or concepts for essays, significantly aiding recall during exams.

ACTIVE RECALL THROUGH CLOSED-BOOK METHODS

Active recall can also be practiced without specialized software by employing closed-book methods. Creating notes or diagrams after studying a topic, rather than copying directly from a textbook, forces retrieval of information. Students can write down everything they remember about a subject and then check against their materials to fill in gaps. This method, especially when combined with spaced repetition, has been linked to significant improvements in exam performance, allowing students to build robust knowledge bases that can be readily accessed during assessments.

GENERATING QUESTIONS FOR ACTIVE RETRIEVAL

Another practical strategy for active recall is to generate questions based on the study material. Instead of passively reading or highlighting, students can formulate questions that require them to retrieve specific information or explain concepts. During revision, these questions serve as prompts for active retrieval, either mentally or in writing. This process necessitates cognitive effort, strengthening memory traces. This technique has been shown to be highly effective, leading to superior performance in exams by encouraging deeper engagement with the material.

INTEGRATING ACTIVE RECALL WITH SPACED REPETITION

The most potent revision strategy involves combining active recall with spaced repetition. While active recall ensures information is retrieved, spaced repetition ensures it is revisited at optimal intervals to combat forgetting. This dual approach, supported by extensive research and highlighted in resources like the book 'Make It Stick,' challenges traditional study habits. By shifting focus from passive consumption to active retrieval and strategic review, students can dramatically improve their learning efficiency and long-term retention, ultimately leading to better exam outcomes.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

Evidence-Based Revision Strategies

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Actively retrieve information from your brain (active recall/practice testing).

Use flashcards (like Anki) to test yourself on facts and concepts.

Create your own notes or summaries *after* learning material, with the book closed.

Generate questions for yourself about the material and actively answer them.

Employ spaced repetition (details in the next video) alongside active recall.

Avoid This

Do not rely heavily on rereading your notes or textbooks.

Avoid excessive highlighting or underlining, as it has low utility.

Do not focus solely on summarizing or making notes without active retrieval.

Avoid techniques that feel productive but don't actively engage your brain.