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Pre-Testing
Test yourself on material before studying it to prime your brain for learning.
Strategy10-15 min
The Science Behind It
Pre-testing, even when answers are unknown, activates relevant prior knowledge and creates curiosity gaps that enhance subsequent learning. This primes the brain to notice and encode relevant information.
How It Works
Understanding the cognitive mechanisms
- 1Activates relevant prior knowledge
- 2Creates curiosity and attention
- 3Highlights what you need to learn
- 4Primes brain for relevant information
Practical Implementation
Step-by-step guide to apply this technique
Key Benefits
What you'll gain from mastering this technique
- Improves subsequent learning by 25%
- Increases attention and engagement
- Provides clear learning goals
- Makes studying more purposeful
Supporting Research
Scientific evidence backing this technique
Pre-testing enhanced learning even when initial answers were incorrect
Kornell et al., 2009 - Journal of Experimental Psychology
Unsuccessful retrieval attempts prime subsequent learning
Richland et al., 2009 - Journal of Educational Psychology