When it comes to tests, the biggest challenges that many students face are recalling a formula or deciphering a vocabulary term and definition. Now, thanks to psychology, the worries of test-taking can be put in the past. A simple and easy process exists so that one can complete in order to remember the information on test day. 

According to Early College Experience (ECE) psychology teacher Courtney Bernier, there are four things a person must do in order to get the information into their long-term memory: paying attention, rehearsal of information, spacing effect and the self-reference effect. Putting all four of these tips together will increase the probability that come test day; or an important presentation, students will be able to properly recall the necessary information. 

“The self-reference effect is when you connect the information that you learn to yourself, or something that is familiar to you,” Bernier explained. 

In short, the self-reference effect allows people to draw from personal experiences and connect a memory of what they are learning to something else that they have already experienced. This way come test day they do not necessarily have to remember the exact definition of a term, but if they can recall what the connected term is then it can guide them towards the right answer. 

The next three all play key roles in actually remembering what information has been taught: paying attention, rehearsal and the spacing effect all go hand in hand. 

Psychology states that students must be paying attention to the information that comes in through the senses in order to actually remember it. 

“Multitasking is a big myth,” said Bernier. “If you think you can be playing a game on your computer and understanding what your teacher is explaining to you, you’re not.”  

Students must be focused on learning while in the classroom setting because without the element of paying attention the sensory memory will filter out the information that is trying to be taken in. In this scenario of not paying attention students would end up forgetting what the teacher has just told them. 

Going along with “paying attention,” students must also rehearse the information that they take in through their sensory memories. Since the sensory memory is designed to filter out, as students you must rehearse the information in order to make sure it is retained later on. 

So, every night when that pesky homework assignment comes, do not complain about it.  Homework is actually a really important tool that can be used to help remember the information come test day. By rehearsing and practicing the information it is then encoded into the long-term memory. 

Last but certainly not least, students must also space out their learning. Cramming in all the information the night before a big test will not work. 

“If you didn’t rehearse it over time, you aren’t able to create long-term memories of the information,” explained Bernier. “That’s why you’re not able to recall it a year or a few years later.” 

The best way to learn the information is by starting to study earlier and for longer. By studying for seven hours over the course of seven days you are more likely to remember the information than if you study for seven hours in one day. 

So remember these tips come your next test day and by doing all of these steps students will likely be able to remember the information.