Re-reading notes feels productive. It's easy, comfortable, and gives you the illusion of learning. But research shows it's one of the least effective study methods. What works better? Active recall.
What is active recall?
Active recall means testing yourself on material instead of passively reviewing it. Every time you actively retrieve information, you strengthen the memory pathway and make it easier to remember next time.
5 active recall techniques for IB
- Closed-book questions: Close your notes and write everything you remember about a topic
- Flashcards: Question on one side, answer on the other—test yourself. Try free IB ESS flashcards →
- Practice questions: Do past paper questions without looking at mark schemes first
- Teach someone: Explain concepts out loud as if teaching a friend
- Blank page method: Start with a blank page and recreate diagrams or key points from memory
Combine with spaced repetition
Active recall + spaced repetition = study superpowers. Test yourself on material at increasing intervals, and you'll remember it forever with minimal total study time.
"The more effort you put into retrieving information, the stronger the memory becomes."
Start today
Next time you study, put away the highlighter. Instead, close your notes and write down everything you remember. Check what you missed. Focus on those gaps. This is how real learning happens.