What is Retrieval Practice?
Retrieval practice is the active process of trying to recall concepts and big ideas, even before we completely know our material. Instead of simply glancing over our notes, or passively underlining key words, retrieval practice engages a deep effort that strengthens recall to the point where it creates strong, long-term retention.
Retrieval practice is most beneficial when we:
- push ourselves to recall something that we barely know yet
- practice retrieving information in different formats (visual, textual, and graphic)
- follow up immediately with feedback or self-checking for accurate encoding of information into our memory
- follow feedback with a deeper dive into course notes to understand what we still need to solidify
- practice retrieval in multiple episodes scattered throughout our daily and weekly study sessions to strengthen long-term bonds
Why it Matters
Deep connections are required for strong retention and recall of complex material.
Checking your answers to understand why you got something wrong is a necessary step between quizzing episodes. It provides the immediate feedback you need to increase metacognition (knowing how you’re learning something) and increases durable retention.
Mistakes are valuable - they show you where to focus your time and energy towards your mastery goals.
It is a strength-building challenge to increase the speed and accuracy of your retrieval (think gaining language fluency) that can transfer to other settings and different contexts outside studying and exams.
Retrieval practice is a powerful cognitive mechanism. If you continue to practice retrieval and increase your success rate and your depth of understanding, you will strengthen the neural pathways that lead to deep learning and durable retention.
How It Works
Self-Quizzing
First, read through your slides, notes, and textbook. Then set everything aside and, without looking, try to remember something you just learned either in your head, out loud, or by writing it down. This is retrieval practice. Notice what you know and don’t know, what you completely understand and what you’re not sure of yet, then continue reviewing your content. Repeat the process with intervals of studying and reviewing in-between.
Practice Test Creation
Make your own practice test using course materials. Consider using online aids like Duke Copilot or Duke GPT to help you make the practice test questions tailored to your specific knowledge gaps.
Flash Cards
Make your own flashcards for concepts and big ideas from your course. Consider using online aids such as Anki and Quizlet.
Teach It
Teach it to someone else. Use flash cards or your slides and, without looking at your notes, explain a concept or portion of your course material spontaneously to a study partner.
Copy-Cover-Check
Use the zero-preparation method called “copy-cover-check.” As it sounds, while reviewing your slides, notes, and textbook, periodically cover up the content and quiz yourself on what you know. Challenge yourself to recall at least two main ideas, then check and see how close you came to getting it. Use these checkpoints to gauge what to study next.
