You don’t need special studying skills to use active recall. Try regular 15 to 20-minute sessions with any of these eight active recall strategies.
1. Mind Mapping
A mind map is a diagram or brainstorm of a concept that shows connections between facts or concepts. On a blank piece of paper, write the concept you’re studying in the middle and draw a circle around it.
Then, write each fact that you can think of, related to the concept and draw a line connecting them. Review your map in a week or so and add any missing information.
2. Past Exams
Old quizzes and practice exams have examples of real questions you might encounter. Write these exams without looking at your notes or the internet to test your knowledge. Then, review any subjects or concepts you struggled with.
3. The Feynman Technique
The Feynman technique involves teaching a concept to someone else, such as a family member or friend. Your friend may ask questions that will help you find gaps in your knowledge.
Once you find the areas you need to review, go back and study the concept and then teach it to your family member or friend again. This time, try to simplify it even more.
4. Summarize a Concept From Memory
Review a topic or concept and then immediately write a summary from memory. This active recall strategy helps your brain search for information, organize those ideas and remember main points.
5. Practice Without Looking at Your Notes
Solve problems from memory and without looking at your notes. This active recall strategy is especially helpful if you’re studying math or math-related topics where you need to solve problems rather than memorize ideas.
6. Use Flashcards
Test yourself with flashcards. Write down the information on one side and a question or prompt on the other and review. You can also use flashcard apps if you don’t have cards on hand.
7. Recite Information
As you study, stop and repeat information out loud. Then, cover your notes and repeat them out loud from memory. Review and recite until you can remember key details.
8. Pair Active Recall With Spaced Repetition
Short, frequent and focused study sessions are better than passively reading or trying to cram information into your brain. Take one of these active recall strategies and use it multiple times throughout the week in longer intervals. For instance, try summarizing from memory immediately after you study a new topic. Then, do it again in one day, then in three days, in one week, in one month and so on. Combining these two techniques may help you better master the material and feel ready for your exam.
