Revision Techniques That Actually Work, Backed by Science

The most popular revision strategies — re-reading, highlighting, summarising notes — are also, according to cognitive science research, among the least effective. Here's what actually works.

Spaced repetition

Reviewing material at increasing intervals (today, tomorrow, in 3 days, in a week, in a month) is dramatically more effective than cramming. The brain consolidates memory during the gaps between review sessions. Tools like Anki automate this process, but even a simple paper flashcard system with date labels works.

Retrieval practice

Testing yourself — actively pulling information from memory — strengthens memory far more than re-reading. Put the book away. Write down everything you remember about a topic. Check what you missed. Repeat. This is more uncomfortable than passive revision but produces dramatically better long-term retention.

Interleaving

Instead of completing all algebra, then all statistics, then all geometry in blocks — mix them up. Practice a question from each topic in the same session. This feels harder and slower, but research consistently shows it produces better performance in tests than blocked practice.