The simple method that boosts memory by 50%

Main ideas, concepts, and lessons

• Core claim: A simple study technique—practice testing (trying to recall information from memory rather than re-reading)—can boost memory performance by ~50% compared to other common strategies.
• Key finding from research: When people study the same material for the same amount of time, actively trying to remember the content produces better test results than:
  • re-reading multiple times, or
  • making concept maps.

• Why people underestimate it: Learners often feel they’re doing better when learning feels easy (e.g., re-reading). This is explained by a cognitive illusion described by psychologist Robert Bjork:

  • People can’t directly “check” what’s stored in memory (no internal equivalent of verifying a saved file).
  • Brains often replace hard-to-answer questions with easier, similar ones—leading to false confidence.

• Important conditions (caveats):

  • You must already have the relevant knowledge. Trying to recall things you’ve never learned (e.g., solving unfamiliar problem types) may not benefit the same way.
  • Cognitive load matters. If tasks are too demanding (too hard to parse/understand), the advantage of practice testing may change.

• Practical takeaway: Use practice testing in ways that match how you’ll use the knowledge later (transfer), such as exams, speeches, and recalling facts/skills.

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Methodology / instruction list (how to apply practice testing)

• Study structure (from the experiment’s logic):

  1. Read the material
  2. Put it away
  3. Attempt to recall it from memory
  4. Check what you missed (by re-reading or reviewing)
  5. Repeat the recall cycle to strengthen retention

• When it’s effective:

  • Test yourself in a format similar to the way you’ll be tested later.
  • Focus on recalling main points/knowledge you already have, rather than attempting recall of content you never learned.

• Examples of applying it to real life:

  • Preparing a speech:
    • Don’t read note cards repeatedly.
    • Practice by giving the presentation, with cue cards visible.
    • Glance at the cards only when you completely forget what you were going to say.
  • Studying books:
    • Before re-checking, write down what you remember from the books.
    • Then compare/fill gaps (rewriting main points).
  • Memorizing practical information:
    • For a computer command: try to recall it first, then consult help/AI.
    • For credit card/passport numbers: attempt to write them from memory before opening your wallet.

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Evidence and conclusions stated

• Participants’ confidence did not predict outcomes:
  • Those who re-read or created concept maps felt more confident.
  • Those who practiced memorizing/recalling performed best.
• Reported effect: ~50% better results for the practice-testing approach (relative to the other methods).
• Follow-up outcome (as described):
  • In a later test where participants had to create a concept map, the group that practiced recalling performed better than those who learned by concept mapping during study.
• Broader support claimed:
  • In a survey of 10 learning methods, practice testing was one of only two methods with strong evidence (the other: distributed learning over time).

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Speakers / sources featured

• Scott Young (speaker; author of Ultralearning)
• Jeffrey Karpike (researcher; co-author of the described study)
• Janelle Blunt (researcher; co-author of the described study)
• Robert Bjork (psychologist; proposed the cognitive explanation for why people underestimate testing effects)
• ChatGPT (mentioned as an example tool, not as a source)