Retention vs Recall

by Maggie McKenzie and Kash Robinson 

Late night or early morning cramming. We’ve most likely all done it at least once before taking a significant test or quiz. That’s alright, but we need to understand where cramming actually works, and where it doesn’t help you in the long run.

Why it might work (as a last resort) 

Cramming can help solidify your understanding of already learned materials, if you review them a few times before taking the test. Studies show that students who cram even just minutes before taking a test often do better than those who don’t. 

However, some problems with cramming are that it really only works best with things like multiple choice questions and it can take a toll on your mental and physical health, especially if you are pulling all-nighters. The pressure of trying to absorb vast amounts of information in a short time increases stress and anxiety levels, which can further hinder cognitive performance and make it even harder to recall information during the exam.

If you’re going to cram for your tests, cram, but do it effectively. Reading the textbook until you fall asleep at your desk from exhaustion is probably not the best way to do it. 

Make a list of what you have to learn before the test. If you’ve left revision until the last minute (ex. the night before), it’s probably too late to learn absolutely all the information. Prioritize the most important stuff. Review past assignments if you have any. This is why it is so useful for teachers to write things they thought about your work. Lastly, get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can make you unfocused and irritated. Sleeping improves your procedural memory drastically. 

Cramming can create gaps in your learning. When you rush and skip key ideas, you miss the foundation that future courses build on. So cram if you have too, it’s better than doing nothing. But remember, real learning takes time, and deep understanding is what leads to long-term memory.