Retrieval practice is the act of calling information to mind rather than rereading it or hearing it. The idea is to produce an effort from within to induce better retention.

As a student, do you tend to study by re-reading your textbooks, highlighting information, and/or reviewing your notes? With each of these approaches, the focus is on getting information into your brain and hoping that it sticks. So what’s the problem?

The problem is that these methods only lead to short-term learning.  Memory researchers have demonstrated that when information comes to mind easily and feels fluent, it is easy to forget. In other words, just because you learn something quickly and easily does not guarantee you will remember it.

Often, you think that you have learned some piece of information. But when you try to recall the answer you struggle. It is this struggle or challenge that improves your memory and learning. By trying to recall information, you strengthen your memory. And at the same time you identify gaps in your learning.

Think of retrieval as a learning tool not an assessment tool

You might recall a time when you studied hard for a test and did not do well. The usual cause for this is that you studied what you already knew and you didn’t study what you didn’t know. By engaging in retrieval practice, you are able to evaluate what you know and what you don’t know. Then you are able to make better study decisions.

Practice makes permanent! And the more you practice retrieval, the harder it will be to forget information. In addition, spacing out the practice makes retrieval more challenging.

And the more challenging the retrieval practice, the better. You might forget in between relearning sessions (that is normal). But, you will also relearn information more quickly and effectively each time you engage in retrieval practice.