What it is
Active recall means pulling information from memory without looking at your notes. Instead of rereading, you test yourself — the same skill you need in exams.
When to use it
Use it after a lecture, while revising a chapter, or 24–48 hours after first learning something new.
How to do it
- Close your book and write everything you remember about the topic.
- Check your notes and mark gaps — only restudy what you missed.
- Repeat the test again tomorrow with a blank page.
Common mistakes
- Rereading notes and thinking you know the material.
- Using highlighted text as your only study method.
- Testing yourself only once before the exam.
Your 1-minute action
Pick one topic you studied today. Close your notes and write 5 bullet points from memory.