Distributed Study and Test Practice: Crucial for Every Study Plan

Research clearly shows that two strategies boost student learning¹

There are many options for reading, studying, and remembering. Be sure to include these two in your study plan: 

• • • Distributed practice - studying with breaks and over many days 
    • Practice taking tests - practice with test problems in mixed order that requires students to recall information and apply steps from memory 
      • For example, write test questions or copy them from a text, cut up the paper and mix the pieces. Then, test yourself with the questions in mixed order. 
      • For example, write out full sentence answers to questions before you check to see if you are correct. 

 

¹Reference: Strengthening the Student Toolbox: Study Strategies to Boost Learning, By John Dunlosky, American Educator, Vol. 37