Benefits of Active Recall - going beyond rereading your notes

When exams are approaching, it can be tempting to sit down with your notes and read through them again and again. While rereading can make the content feel familiar, it does not necessarily mean you can remember or apply it when you are sitting in an exam. This is where active recall can make a big difference.

So what is active recall?

Active recall is a study technique where you test yourself on information rather than simply looking at it. Instead of reading your notes about a topic five times, you could close your notebook and try to explain the topic from memory. You could also use flashcards, do practice questions, or write down everything you remember about a concept before checking your notes.

The key difference is that you are making your brain retrieve the information.

Why does it work?

When you force yourself to recall information, you identify what you actually know and what you still need to work on. For example, you might read your English notes and feel confident that you understand the analysis. However, when you close your notes and try apply it to a different practice question without looking, you may realise that you have forgotten all the little details.

Active recall also makes studying more efficient. Rather than spending an hour passively reading information you already know, you can spend that time focusing on the areas you struggle with most.

How can you use it?

You do not need to completely change your study routine. After learning a topic, put your notes away and ask yourself:

- What are the three most important things I need to remember?
- Can I explain this concept without looking at my notes?
- Can I answer a practice question on this topic?
- What did I forget?

Then, check your notes and fill in the gaps.

Ultimately, rereading can help you become familiar with information, but active recall helps you retrieve it. As exams require you to recall information closed book, practising that skill can help you feel more prepared when exam day arrives.