Testing effect
Also known as Retrieval practice effect
Memory effect
Pulling information out of memory, as in a quiz, makes it stick better than spending the same time rereading it. This is a helpful effect that learners can use on purpose.
In everyday life
A nurse who practices drug doses with flashcards remembers them better than a colleague who rereads the same chart.
After closing your notes and writing down everything you can remember from a training session, you recall it far better a month later than sessions you simply reread.
Why your mind does this
Attention and memory are limited, so the brain stores more of what we think about deeply, use actively or expect to need, and less of what we barely noticed or know we can look up. This puts our limited memory where it pays off most.
Its family, in 30 seconds: How it was stored
How to spot it
Notice when your study time is spent rereading and highlighting instead of recalling.
What you can do
Use this effect to your advantage: close the material, write or say what you remember, then check what you missed.