One of the most effective study strategies you can adopt is frequent self-testing. Edel Walsh discusses the importance of self-testing or retrieval practice
When studying, most students will read their course materials and highlight the important points or areas they don’t understand. They may also write out their own notes or design mind maps.
While all these methods are a good starting point, they should not be relied upon for exam preparation.
Testing yourself is one of the most effective methods of studying and learning.
Incorporating testing into your study routine will not only help you assess your learning progress but also help you to retain critical information for the long term.
Why is testing yourself so important?
When you’re studying for professional exams like those in accountancy, understanding concepts is only half the battle. Testing yourself provides immediate feedback on your knowledge.
It reveals what you have understood, and what areas need more work. This allows you to focus your study efforts effectively.
Feedback is essential in identifying knowledge gaps that might otherwise go unnoticed until the exam day.
Many students leave testing until close to the exam and some students avoid testing altogether. Testing yourself shines a light on what you know and don’t know. This can feel uncomfortable; however, you are better knowing what you don’t know before your exam rather than on the day of the exam.
How often should you test yourself?
There is no magic formula for how often you should test yourself. However, frequent testing of the same material leads to better retention. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Test yourself every time you study. This can be done by incorporating short quizzes on the material you’ve covered during your study session. This could be as simple as recalling key definitions, concepts or formulas from memory.
- At the end of each module or lesson, set aside time for more in-depth self-testing. This might involve answering past exam questions or solving case studies based on what you’ve studied. This gives you a comprehensive view of your progress and highlights areas that need further revision.
- Consistency is the key. Testing yourself regularly, rather than cramming right before the exam, reinforces learning over time and improves retention, leaving you better prepared on exam day.
Methods of testing or retrieval practice
Retrieval practice is another name for self-testing. Retrieval practice is a form of self-testing that requires you to pull information from memory without looking at your notes or textbooks. Retrieval practice engages your brain in recalling what you’ve learned.
Here’s how you can incorporate retrieval practice into your study routine:
- Flashcards: As you are studying tricky topics, rather than writing out pages of notes on a topic, get some flashcards. Write a short question on the front of the flashcard and the answer on the back. After each lesson or module, you will be left with a bundle of flashcards. Shuffle the cards and test yourself on the questions regularly. This approach works well for keeping information fresh in your mind. Apps like Anki or Quizlet can help you organise digital flashcards.
- Brain dump: After studying a topic, put away your notes and write a summary from memory. This helps solidify the concepts in your mind and forces you to process the information in your own words.
- Practice problems: Doing practice problems or past exam questions without referring to your materials is an excellent way to engage in retrieval practice. This mirrors the exam environment and trains your brain to access information under pressure.
- Explain the material you have learned to somebody else: Summarise and explain the material to a housemate or family member. If you can explain it clearly to them, and they understand what you are talking about, this signals that you truly understand the material.
Benefits of self-testing and retrieval practice
Self-testing can increase your confidence and help reduce anxiety by making the material more familiar and by showing you which areas you need to focus on.
The more you test yourself, the more confident you will feel about the material going into the exam.
Testing yourself under exam conditions helps you practise managing your time and thinking under pressure.
Effective study strategy
Testing yourself is a crucial part of an effective study strategy for professional accountancy students. By incorporating regular testing into your study routine, you ensure consistent progress and retention of key material.
Retrieval practice plays a powerful role in deepening your understanding of your exam material.
Take the time to test yourself regularly, learn from the feedback you receive, and keep refining your approach.
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