Ah! I’ve been telling my students this for years, and now there’s proof: the best way to study for a recall test is to give yourself practice tests. The article “Getting tested is better for studying than concept mapping,” posted on TheNakedScientists.com, highlights research done at Purdue University. My favorite line: “So if you want to do well in exams, just make sure you test yourself!”
Think about it: do you want your first attempt at demonstrating your knowledge to be at the graded exam? No! That one counts for points! Test yourself at home to see what you know. You’ll not only get in some good practice, but you’ll safely learn what you still need to commit to memory.
My favorite site for creating and practicing tests is still Quizlet.com. Check it out! Then test, Test, TEST!
