What Is Retrieval Practice & How To Use It In Revision

You’ve probably had that sinking feeling — you’ve read your notes three times, highlighted everything in sight, and still can’t remember half of it the next day. That’s the problem with traditional revision: it feels productive, but it doesn’t always stick.

The good news? There’s a science-backed solution called retrieval practice. It flips revision on its head by making you actively recall what you’ve learned, instead of just reviewing it. It might feel harder at first, but that effort is exactly what makes it so powerful.

In this guide, you’ll learn what retrieval practice is, why it works so well, and how to use it to remember more, for longer.

Key Takeaways

• Retrieval practice means testing yourself by recalling information from memory instead of simply re-reading notes.

• Every time you retrieve something, you strengthen that memory and make it easier to recall later. This is known as the testing effect.

• It’s one of the most effective, evidence-based revision techniques, helping you remember more in less time.

• Best of all, it’s simple, free, and works for every subject - you just need to make recalling part of your regular revision routine.

What Is Retrieval Practice?

Retrieval practice is a study strategy where you try to remember information from memory without checking your notes first. Instead of passively reading or highlighting, you test yourself. For example, you might answer a series of questions, use flashcards, or jot down everything you can recall about a topic.

This technique is also known as active recall, a scientifically proven way to boost memory by forcing your brain to retrieve information rather than just re-read it. It makes your brain work harder, a bit like exercising a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

Example:
Cover your notes on “energy transfer.” Write down everything you remember: definitions, key equations, examples. Then check your notes to see what you got right and where the gaps are. That process of recalling and correcting is retrieval practice in action.

Why Does Retrieval Practice Work?

Retrieval practice is backed by cognitive science (opens in a new tab). It works because it makes your brain actively search for information, instead of just taking it in. Every time you pull a fact or idea out of memory, you’re strengthening the connections that store it. Scientists call this the testing effect.

Each time you recall information, your memory gets a little stronger and lasts a little longer; simply re-reading doesn’t build strength in the same way.

Another reason retrieval works so well is that it helps you spot what you don’t know. When you check your answers afterwards, you can target weak areas instead of wasting time revising everything. 

If you space out your retrieval practice, testing yourself again after a day, then a few days later, it actually becomes even more powerful. This is known as spaced retrieval, which combines two proven memory boosters: spacing and testing. Forgetting a little between sessions actually helps you remember better next time. Over time, you’ll find that your recall becomes quicker and more accurate.

Together, these effects explain why retrieval practice helps you remember more for longer and perform more confidently in exams.

Retrieval Practice vs Other Revision Techniques

Many students spend hours re-reading or highlighting their notes and wonder why they still forget things in the exam. The truth is that these passive techniques make information feel familiar, but they don’t actually help you remember it for long. 

Re-reading

Re-reading notes can make you think you’ve mastered a topic when, in reality, you’ve only recognised it. You might remember seeing a definition but struggle to write it down from memory. This gives a false sense of confidence — psychologists call it the illusion of learning.

Highlighting

Highlighting helps identify key points, but it’s still a passive activity. Your brain isn’t retrieving or using the information — it’s just noticing it. While highlighting can be a useful first step, it needs to be followed by active recall to make knowledge stick.

Summarising

Summarising helps you understand material when you first learn it, but it’s still focused on taking information in, not getting it out. Retrieval practice flips that process: you test what you know by pulling it from memory, which strengthens recall and reveals gaps.

Why Retrieval Works Better

In short, retrieval practice turns revision into an active process. You’re actually rehearsing for your exams: you go through the same process of recalling and using knowledge as you will in your real tests.

Cognitive science research supports this, consistently showing that active recall outperforms passive review. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) outlines that retrieval, spacing, and review are among the most effective strategies for improving long-term retention. Likewise, Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction (opens in a new tab) highlight the importance of regular review and checking for understanding - again, forms of retrieval practice in action.

That’s why you’ll find your teachers regularly using these active methods in class, particularly when helping you to prepare for your exams. If you want your revision to stick, retrieval practice should sit at the centre of your study routine, not as something you do only at the end.

For more ways to build an effective study routine, check out our guide to the best revision techniques.

How To Use Retrieval Practice in Your Revision

Now that you know why retrieval practice works, here’s how to make it part of your everyday revision. Here are five steps you can start using immediately, with examples you can adapt for any subject. 

1. Use Flashcards

Flashcards are one of the simplest and most flexible retrieval tools. Write a question on one side and the answer on the other. Look at the question, attempt to answer it from memory, then flip the card to check your answer. Sort them into “got it / not yet” piles, and focus more on the cards you struggle with. Over time, you’ll see your recall accuracy improve.

You can do this with physical cards or use Save My Exams Flashcards for digital study sessions that fit around your schedule.

2. Try Past Paper Questions

Don’t wait until you’ve “finished” revising a topic. Treat past exam questions as real retrieval practice. Do them as though they’re tests — closed book — then grade them using mark schemes. Note the areas where you lost marks, and then revisit those topics later. This approach helps you practise exam-style thinking and reveals exactly what you need to work on.

Find ready-to-use exam-style questions and mark schemes in the Save My Exams Past Papers section.

3. Brain Dump Technique

Grab a blank sheet of paper and write down everything you can remember about a topic: keywords, facts, definitions, examples, diagrams. Don’t worry if you miss things. 

Next, check your notes and highlight gaps. Then give it another go a few days later to see how much more you can recall. Over time, you’ll fill in more details from memory rather than from your notes. 

This approach is similar to the Blurting Method, another quick and effective way to recall and check what you know. You can pair it with the Save My Exams Revision Notes to quickly check and correct your work.

4. Use Spaced Retrieval

Instead of cramming the night before, plan short, spaced retrieval sessions over time. For example: test yourself on a topic one day after learning it, then two days later, then after a week, and again after a few weeks. The gap allows you to forget slightly, which makes the next attempt harder. But that effort is exactly what helps your memory grow stronger.

Try using a simple planner or app to track when to revisit each topic. Our guide to creating a spaced repetition schedule will help you through the process.

5. Teach Someone Else

Explain a topic out loud to someone else without your notes, as if you're teaching it. This might be a friend, sibling, or even your pet. The process forces you to recall and organise your knowledge clearly. Plus, you’ll quickly notice if there are any gaps in your understanding, as you’ll pause or struggle. When this happens, simply return to your notes, fill the gap, then try explaining again. 

Teaching others naturally encourages you to link concepts together, a technique known as elaboration, which can further deepen your understanding. It’s an incredibly powerful tool to cement knowledge deeply.

If you like the revision tips in our guide, Discover the Secret to Effective GCSE Revision, think of retrieval practice as the “how-to” engine that powers them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you know about retrieval practice, it’s easy to fall back into unhelpful habits. Here are a few common traps and how to avoid them.

1. Re-reading without recalling

Simply reading your notes over and over might feel productive, but it doesn’t strengthen your memory. You’re recognising information, not retrieving it. Next time you finish a study session, close your notes and try writing down or saying aloud what you remember instead.

2. Copying notes neatly

Rewriting notes in tidy colours looks productive, and as a teacher, I’ve seen many beautiful revision notes that resemble works of art. Unfortunately, it’s still passive revision. It doesn’t strengthen memory. 

The key is to test what you know before you look at your notes. Turn headings into questions and quiz yourself. Then use your notes only to check what you missed.

3. Cramming all at once

Cramming might help for a short class quiz the next day, but you’ll forget most of it pretty quickly. Spacing retrieval over time gives your memory time to strengthen. A short session every day beats a single, late-night marathon.

4. Ignoring mistakes

Believe it or not, when you check your work after a recall session, the gaps and errors are gold dust. They show you exactly what to study next. Review them carefully, then test yourself again a few days later to make sure the knowledge has stuck.

5. Sticking to one method

No single technique works for everything. Mix up how you retrieve. Use a combination of flashcards, past papers, brain dumps, and teaching someone else to keep your memory flexible and ready for any type of exam question.

How Often Should You Use Retrieval Practice?

The short answer is little and often. Even 10 to 20 minutes can make a real difference. Retrieval practice works best when it’s part of your regular study routine, not something you save for the night before the exam.

Aim to include short bursts of recall most days during revision season. The key is to revisit topics just as you’re starting to forget them, not when they’re completely gone from your memory. That slight challenge helps strengthen the information you already know.

Here’s a simple example schedule you can adapt:

• Day 1: Learn the topic

• Day 2: Quick recall or flashcard test

• Day 4: Brain dump or past paper question

• Day 7: Spaced review and self-check

• Day 14+: Final recall and teach it to someone else

This pattern builds long-term retention without overwhelming your schedule. You’ll find that the more you retrieve, the faster and easier recall becomes: a sign that your memory is doing its job.

Retrieval practice also works best alongside other methods like making notes, active reading, and self-explanation. Balance your study sessions to spend equal time both understanding and remembering the material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does retrieval practice work for all subjects?

Yes. It helps in any subject where you need to remember or apply knowledge - from science equations to English quotes. 

The key is to adapt how you test yourself. For example, you might recall definitions in science, sketch diagrams in geography, or plan essay outlines in history. Whatever the subject, if you’re actively trying to remember, you’re strengthening your memory.

Can retrieval practice help with essay subjects?

Definitely. Try writing short plans or introductions from memory, or recall key quotes and scholars before checking your notes. This trains you to think quickly and clearly under exam conditions.

Is retrieval practice the only method I need?

Not quite. Retrieval practice is one of the most powerful ways to remember information, but it works best when combined with other techniques. 

Use strategies like note-taking, active reading, and spaced repetition to build understanding first, then use retrieval to make that knowledge stick. Think of it as the core workout of your study plan: it strengthens everything else you do.

Final Thoughts

Retrieval practice is one of the simplest, most effective ways to boost your memory for exams. It’s free, evidence-based, and easy to fit into your existing study routine.

Start small: Pick one topic, spend ten minutes recalling what you know, and then review your notes to fill in the gaps. Do it again tomorrow, and you’ll already be training your brain to retain information more effectively.

Make retrieval practice a regular habit, not a last-minute fix, and you’ll walk into your exams with stronger recall, greater confidence, and a mind ready to perform at its best.

References

• EEF: Cognitive Science Approaches in the Classroom (opens in a new tab)

• Principles of Instruction: Research-Based Strategies, by Barak Rosenshine; American Educator (2012) (opens in a new tab)

• What is retrieval practice? (opens in a new tab)