Best Study Methods Backed by Science: Active Recall, Spaced Repetition, and Interleaving

Most students study by reading their notes over and over. Science says that is one of the least effective methods. Here are three techniques that actually work. They are backed by decades of cognitive research.

Active Recall. This means testing yourself instead of just rereading. After studying a topic, close the book. Write down everything you remember. Then check. Do practice questions without looking at the answers. The act of pulling information from your brain strengthens the memory. Every time you use Highscore EdTech’s practice mode, you are doing active recall. That is why it works.

Spaced Repetition. Do not study a topic once and forget it. Revisit it at intervals. Review the next day. Then three days later. Then a week later. Then a month later. Each review makes the memory stronger and longer-lasting. The Highscore platform automatically surfaces old questions in your practice sessions. You do not have to plan the spacing. We do it for you. Interleaving. Instead of studying one subject for three hours straight, mix them up. Do 30 minutes of Mathematics, then 30 minutes of English, then 30 minutes of Biology. This forces your brain to constantly switch gears. It feels harder at first, but it leads to better long-term retention. The brain learns to distinguish between different types of problems, which helps you apply the right method on exam day.

Combine All Three. Start with active recall. Test yourself on a topic. Space out your review sessions over days and weeks. Within each study session, interleave subjects. That is the formula for efficient learning. It requires effort. But that effort is exactly what builds strong memories. Passive reading feels comfortable but does not stick. Choose what works.

Use the Highscore platform to practice these methods every day. Your future self will thank you.