Studying for the SAT, ACT, Regents, or AP exams often feels like a race against the clock. Students spend hours reviewing material, only to forget it days later. The problem isn’t always effort—it’s the way the brain processes and stores information. That’s where spaced repetition comes in.
What Is Spaced Repetition?
Spaced repetition is a scientifically backed learning technique that helps you remember information more effectively. Instead of cramming all at once, you revisit material at increasing intervals over time.
Think of it like watering a plant: a single flood won’t keep it alive for weeks, but small, consistent watering ensures growth. In the same way, spaced review strengthens your memory, making facts stick for the long term.
The Forgetting Curve
In the late 1800s, psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the forgetting curve—the idea that we lose information rapidly after learning it if we don’t reinforce it.
- Within 24 hours, students can forget up to 70% of new material.
- After a week, much of that knowledge is gone.
Spaced repetition interrupts this curve. By reviewing material just as you’re about to forget it, your brain “resets the clock” and holds onto the information longer.
How Spaced Repetition Works in Practice
Here’s a simple example for a student learning SAT vocabulary:
- Day 1: Learn 10 new words.
- Day 2: Review all 10 words.
- Day 4: Review the same words again.
- Day 7: Review once more.
- Day 14: Final review.
Each review session takes less time because the brain recalls words more easily with each interval.
Why Spaced Repetition Works for Test Prep
- Efficient Use of Time: Instead of rereading entire chapters, students focus on weak spots.
- Long-Term Retention: Perfect for cumulative exams like Regents or AP tests.
- Confidence Boost: Students walk into test day knowing material is locked in, not just crammed.
Tools and Strategies for Students
- Flashcard Apps: Programs like Anki or Quizlet use algorithms to automate spaced repetition.
- Study Calendars: Students can schedule review sessions weeks before an exam to avoid cramming.
- Practice Questions: Revisit tricky problems after a few days, then again after a week.
Takeaway for Students & Parents
Cramming might help for tomorrow’s quiz, but when it comes to high-stakes tests, spaced repetition is the smarter, science-backed strategy. By spreading review sessions out, students learn faster, remember longer, and perform better.
At Curvebreakers, we incorporate strategies like spaced repetition into our tutoring and courses—helping students make the most of their study time and walk into exams with confidence.