Studying for an exam can be overwhelming, especially when there’s so much to remember. Many students rely on last-minute cramming or repeatedly reading their notes, but research shows there are smarter ways to study.
Two proven techniques, namely Retrieval Practice and Spacing, can help students remember information better and feel more prepared for their exams. Collectively known as Successive Relearning, students can strengthen their memory, avoid the stress of cramming, and approach their exams with greater confidence.
In this blog, we’ll explore the latest research on the benefits of successful relearning for exam preparation. Read on for:
- A (re)introduction to Successive Relearning
- What the research says about this exam revision technique
- Practical implications of the research
What is Successive Relearning?
Successive Relearning is a highly effective study technique that combines two proven learning strategies: Retrieval Practice and Spacing. Here, Retrieval Practice is the process of actively recalling information from memory rather than simply reviewing notes or textbooks. Unlike more passive techniques like rereading, Retrieval Practice strengthens long-term retention by making students actively engage with the material. According to Cognitive Load Theory, this also helps reduce the burden on working memory, which has a limited capacity for holding information. When students practise retrieving information, they store it more efficiently in long-term memory, making it easier to recall during exams.
Meanwhile, Spacing refers to spreading out study sessions over time instead of cramming all at once. While cramming might help with short-term memorisation, it often leads to quick forgetting. When students space out their revision, their brains have time to reinforce connections between ideas, leading to better long-term retention. This approach helps reduce mental fatigue and makes learning more manageable, preventing the stress and frustration that come with last-minute cramming.
Given the above descriptions of Retrieval Practice and Spacing, Successive Relearning simply involves repeatedly recalling information until it is successfully remembered, then revisiting it over multiple study sessions to reinforce learning. This method helps keep students actively engaged and boosts confidence in their ability to recall information when needed. Ultimately, it improves academic performance while making studying more efficient and less stressful..
The research on Successful Relearning and exams
To investigate the effect of Successful Relearning on exam outcomes, researchers at Georgia Southern University conducted a study with 72 students. Between two exams, students took part in four class sessions where they actively practised successive relearning. In the final session, they reflected on their experience, discussed how effective the method was, and were also informed about research supporting the intervention. To track their progress, students completed surveys before and after the intervention to measure their study habits and confidence in remembering course material. Let’s see what the paper found:
1. Students scored better on exams after Successive Relearning
On average, students scored around 4.6 times better after the Successful Relearning intervention. More specifically, only 12% of students could remember all three important facts initially, but by the second exam, this jumped to 78%. At the same time, the number of students who couldn’t recall any of the facts dropped from 78% to just 10%. This indicates that the Successive Relearning intervention was successful in improving participants retention and understanding of the learning materials.
2. Successive Relearning boosted students’ confidence in their abilities
Overall, students were 5.5 times more confident in their ability to list out the three facts they had been learning. This aligns with the huge jump in their exam performance, suggesting that Successive Relearning helped them display more confidence and mastery over the concepts taught.
3. Successive Relearning promoted less cramming among students
Even though there was no significant change in the total amount of study time between exams, students generally began studying around 30 hours earlier for the second exam. This shows that students engaged in less cramming and instead spaced out their study sessions over a longer period of time, thereby helping them retain more information and preventing cognitive overload.
4. Students still face obstacles when deciding to implement Successive Relearning
Even though students recognised the benefits of Successive Relearning, many found it difficult to use consistently. About 69% said they would need clear explanations or strong evidence before considering the strategy. Among those who didn’t adopt it, over 40% cited time management as their biggest challenge. Here, these students found it hard to plan ahead and fit this method into their schedule. As a result, many fell back on cramming and rereading at the last minute instead.
Practical takeaways for exam preparation
Given the study results, here are two main suggestions to encourage your students to make use of Successive Relearning in their exam prep:
- Educate students on effective study methods – For interventions to be successful, educators could try providing research and evidence on effective study strategies like Successive Relearning. Structured guidance and practice opportunities could be offered to help students implement these techniques into their regular study habits.
- Focus on developing time management skills – Despite understanding the benefits of successive relearning, many students struggled with time management. Hence, future interventions could incorporate time-management support to help students adopt more effective study strategies.
Final thoughts
Retrieval Practice and Spacing are effective revision techniques that help improve memory and reduce the stress of cramming. By actively recalling information and spacing out study sessions, students can retain more and feel more confident on exam day. However, to ensure these methods are widely adopted, it’s essential to provide students with proper education, support, and guidance.
