active recall
Pulling from memory
Active recall is a study technique where you deliberately retrieve information from memory rather than passively reviewing it.
Instead of rereading notes or highlighting text, you test yourself—using flashcards, practice questions, or simply trying to remember material without looking.
Research shows this effortful retrieval strengthens memory more effectively than passive review: I switched from rereading chapters to active recall and my exam scores improved dramatically.
- retrievalAct of getting back
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- memory palaceSpatial mnemonic system
- long-term memoryStored knowledge over time
- flashcardsPaper memorization tools
testing · practice test · quiz · spaced repetition · learning · study · study session · brain dump · brain · effort · mental effort · struggle · remember · practice · cue · prompt · effortful · strengthen
active recallrereading
Scanning text again
passive learning · highlighting · cramming · underlining · skimming
active recallrecognition
Perceiving something as known
re-exposure · encoding · reception · input · absorption
active, recall, act, action, actions, acting, actor, actors, actress