This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Ultralearning" by Scott Young. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
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What is memory retrieval? Why don’t traditional study methods work as well as self-testing?
Memory retrieval is the process of recalling information that you’ve stored in your memory. The best way to store information long-term is through self-testing. Although reading and memorizing may seem like an effective way to study, the results are only short-term.
Continue on to learn more about how self-testing helps improve memory retrieval.
What Is Memory Retrieval?
Long-term proficiency is only possible if you are able to retrieve the information you learn. Memory retrieval is the process of recalling information we’ve stored in our memory. Typically we use the traditional study method (reviewing existing material) to retrieve learned information. However, research shows that testing yourself from memory alone (also known as self-testing) is the study method that best serves retention (the long-term storing of information). The purpose of self-testing is to efficiently maximize the amount of information you’re able to retrieve.
Why Do So Many Prefer Traditional Studying?
Though self-testing is the most effective way to study, many still choose the traditional reviewing of material instead. Research indicates this is because we develop a perception of our learning progress by getting feedback from the study process. If the process feels easy, we think we’re doing well. If it’s not easy, we feel the opposite. Students often choose passive review because they aren’t confident in their ability to recall on their own. When you review information passively, it’s easy to recall it right afterward, giving you the impression you’ve learned it. However, on the day of the actual test, you’ll likely recall far less than expected.
Benefits of Self-Testing
Self-testing is the most direct way to learn the information as long as it is the closest replication of the environment it will be used in. Self-testing is also effective because by asking yourself questions and checking your answers afterward, you give yourself feedback.
Traditionally, you test to evaluate how well you understand what you’re currently learning. The concept of memory retrieval, however, indicates that tests can be used to improve future learning. Research shows it’s easier to learn new information when you are in the habit of testing yourself on the information you’ve studied previously. In other words, practicing retrieval through self-testing makes you a better learner before you even have new material to test (this is called the forward testing effect) and helps you develop learning methods that integrate automatically when you come across old information again.
How Can You Maximize Your Study Results?
An important tool influencing memory retrieval is delay, which improves retention. You are more likely to retain information if you give yourself some time between study and active recall. The reason for this is that answers are a little more difficult to recall after a small delay, and this added challenge improves learning retention. Keep in mind the following rules:
- Low-intensity learning = easier to recall info, low retention rate
- High-intensity learning = harder to recall info, high retention rate
- Too much delay = forgotten knowledge
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Here's what you'll find in our full Ultralearning summary :
- How a formal education doesn’t open the doors it once could
- The 9 core principles that can help you master any skill
- How to create a self-directed learning project to help you advance in your field
