Taking a test is not just a passive mechanism for assessing how much people know, according to new research. It actually helps people learn, and it works better than a number of other studying techniques.
The research, published online Thursday in the journal Science, found that students who read a passage, then took a test asking them to recall what they had read, retained about 50 percent more of the information a week later than students who used two other methods.
One of those methods — repeatedly studying the material — is familiar to legions of students who cram before exams. The other — having students draw detailed diagrams documenting what they are learning — is prized by many teachers because it forces students to make connections among facts.
It's thought that perhaps the persistent recall is what actually helps the learning process.
1 comment:
A test, a TEST? What the heck is a TEST? All I ever hear about are "assessments".
The only "tests" are SAT's and possibly the state mandated CSAP's may be referred to as tests. I guess diver's license exams are still "tests"!
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