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Struggling to remember what you’ve learned in class? Ditch the endless rereading and highlighting! Active recall, a technique where you actively retrieve information from memory, is a game-changer for studying. This scientifically proven method will help you get better results and improve long-term memory.
By the end of this blog, you'll understand:
- What active recall is and why it's one of the most effective study techniques
- How to use active recall with proven methods like flashcards, blurting and past papers
- How to combine active recall with spaced repetition to improve memory and exam performance
What does active recall mean?
Active recall is a learning method where you continuously test yourself by pulling information out of your memory instead of just passively reading notes. Studies have shown (Rawson & Dunlosky, 2011; Roediger & Butler, 2011; Roediger, Putnam, & Smith, 2011) it strengthens memory and helps move information into your long-term memory, making it one of the best methods for revision and studying. Flashcards are a great way to use active recall as you’re testing yourself with a prompt or question and strengthening the connections in your brain.
How does active recall work?
Active recall works by making your brain search for information rather than passively letting it wash over you. Doing this strengthens the neural connections to memories, making it easier to find the information again later. Kind of like learning the route to a new place; you might have to look up directions many times at first, but after repetition, remembering the way becomes effortless. Although testing yourself is harder than reading a book, challenging your brain to do this workout makes connections stronger and will benefit you in the long-run.
Active recall vs passive studying
What do you normally do when you start studying or revising? Read through and highlight your notes? If this sounds familiar then you’re not alone; reading notes is one of the most common ways to revise. Why? Because it’s easy to do and makes you feel productive. But reading your notes is a passive studying method, you might feel like you’re learning when you recognise a sentence, but if someone asked you “What’s the powerhouse of the cell?” you’d probably draw a blank.
This is why active recall is so effective; rather than letting information wash over you, you’re training your memory and retrieval skills. It’s been continuously proven to increase memory and long-term retention in multiple studies over the past 100 years, and is used by students like you to improve their grades.
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Active recall studying techniques
Here are some great revision and study methods that use active recall:
- Flashcards: Write key points on one side and the answer on the other. Test yourself regularly!
- Practice questions: find past papers or create your own questions to mimic the exam format. Be sure to pick the right exam board.
- Teach it to someone (the Feynman technique) - Teach a friend or family member the topic or plan a lesson. This forces you to truly understand it.
- Summarise in your own words: Condense key points into a shorter text or bullet points. This tests your grasp of the material.
- Blurting - Rapidly write down everything you recall about a topic. It's messy but effective!
Tip: If you want to do active recall without an app, try Blurting, the Feynman Technique and past exam papers.
Active recall and spaced repetition
Combining active recall techniques with spaced repetition is key. Review the information you're studying at increasing intervals, for example: the day after your lesson, three days later, then a week after that. By combining these two methods, you're reviewing information before you have a chance to forget it. This has been proven to be much more effective than cramming.
Best active recall apps
- ⭐ Gizmo – an AI study tool that makes flashcards and quizzes from your notes to test yourself with
- 🧠 Anki – an app for creating flashcards that you can quiz yourself with on the go
- 📚 NotebookLM – upload any notes or resources, then ask NotebookLM to test you on the topic
Tip: Gizmo and Anki also use spaced repetition to maximise your recall
Active recall isn't just for exams! Because this method helps you commit information to your long-term memory it's perfect for practical subjects like Nursing, where you'll need to remember lots of detail and processes. Use it for lifelong learning and boost your knowledge retention in any subject.
Final thoughts
Active recall is a proven method used by students of all ages and abilities to learn more effectively, and retain knowledge for longer. Whether you prefer to use flashcards, blurting, self-testing or past papers, regularly testing yourself is a much better study method than passive reading.
