Evidence-Based Study Techniques: What Actually Works According to Science | Chapterly Blog
Evidence-Based Study Techniques: What Actually Works According to Science Most students and lifelong learners rely on study techniques that feel productive but produce poor results. Rereading notes, highlighting textbooks, and cramming before exams are among the most popular study methods and among the least effective. This is not speculation. Decades of cognitive science research have tested these methods rigorously and the results are clear. A landmark 2013 review by Dunlosky and colleagues evaluated ten common study techniques against the available research evidence. Their findings surprised many educators: the techniques students use most often ranked among the least effective, while the most powerful techniques were rarely used. This article summarizes what cognitive science tells us about which study techniques actually work, which do not, and how to implement the effective ones in your own learning. The High-Effectiveness Techniques 1. Retrieval Practice (Practice Testing) Effectiveness rating: High Retrieval practice means actively pulling information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. This can take the form of flashcards, practice tests, free recall exercises, or simply closing your notes and writing down everything you remember. The evidence for retrieval practice is overwhelming. Hundreds of studies across different ages, subjects, and settings consistently show that...