If you’ve ever spent hours reviewing content and still had trouble remembering it during the test, know that you’re not alone. Often, the problem lies in the way we study, which is why techniques such as active retrieval and spaced repetition have gained prominence among students seeking to learn more efficiently.
These two methods, when used together, form a powerful combination for memorizing and understanding any content. While active retrieval stimulates the brain to seek out information, spaced repetition ensures that the review process occurs at the right times, reinforcing learning over time.
In this guide, we will explore what these techniques are, why they work so well, and how to apply them in a simple and accessible way into your study routine. If your goal is to learn with more quality and less repetitive effort, it’s worth discovering the benefits of active recovery and spaced repetition.
Understanding the Active Recall technique
Active retrieval is a study technique based on a simple principle: instead of passively rereading or reviewing content, you try to remember it with as little help as possible. This stimulates the brain to “work” to retrieve the information, making the process more effective.
A practical example would be closing the book or notebook and trying to explain the content in your own words, or answer questions without consulting the material. Flashcards, quizzes and even write summaries are strategies that use this technique. The goal is to force the brain to actively remember, not just recognize.
Studies show that active retrieval yields significantly better results in long-term retention when compared to passive methods like underlining or rereading. This is because it simulates the cognitive effort required in situations such as exams, presentations or classroom discussions.
Within the active retrieval and spaced repetition approach, active retrieval is the centerpiece as it ensures that learning does not become superficial. When combined with review at the right time (spaced repetition), the impact on performance is even more significant — as we will see below.
Spaced repetition: how important is it?
Spaced repetition is a study technique that is based on the idea of reviewing content at strategically planned intervals. It is based on a concept called “forgetting curve“, which describes how the brain tends to forget information over time.
By reviewing content just before forgetting it, you strengthen your memory and make it harder to forget the information. Over time, the intervals between these reviews may increase, as the brain begins to better retain what has been learned.
This technique is extremely useful for those who need to study a large volume of information over the course of weeks, such as entrance exam candidates, public exam candidates or university students. And when combined with active recovery, the effect is even more powerful.
This is exactly why many experts recommend using active retrieval and spaced repetition together, as together they form a study strategy based on the science of memory, with a focus on efficiency and long-term retention — making it an ideal approach for those looking to study smarter.
Why is this combination so effective?
When we agreed active recovery and spaced repetition, we are using the most efficient approaches in the science of learning. On the one hand, the active recovery requires the brain to make an effort to remember the content; on the other, the spaced repetition ensures that this effort occurs at the right times, before memory begins to fail.
This cycle creates a kind of “gym for the brain”: with each attempt at active recovery, neural connections become stronger; and with each spaced review, these connections are reinforced at the perfect time. This not only improves retention but also reduces the number of times you need to review the same content.
Another positive point of this approach is that it develops autonomy in learning. The student begins to identify their own weaknesses and direct revisions strategically. This avoids generic and ineffective reviews, focusing only on the content that really needs attention.
It is no surprise that the combination of active recovery and spaced repetition It is widely used by high-performance students in areas such as medicine, law, public examinations and language learning. This combination offers a practical, accessible, and evidence-based path to learning more effectively and deeply.
Tools and techniques to implement them into your routine
Putting active recovery and spaced repetition into practice can be simpler than it seems — especially with the help of the right tools. One of the most popular is the Even, an application flashcards which allows you to review content at automatically scheduled intervals based on your performance.
Another widely used option is the Quizlet, which offers similar features and an intuitive interface. With it, you can create sets of cards, take tests, play educational games and track your progress. Furthermore, the application allows you to access content shared by other users, which saves preparation time.
For those who prefer more manual methods, it is also possible to use physical flashcards, create questions in a notebook or create spreadsheets to record the review dates for each content. Give priority to the most difficult topics and increase the review intervals for those that are already well assimilated.
Another important point is to define a fixed moment in your routine to apply these techniques. With consistency, the combined use of active recovery and spaced repetition becomes a natural habit — and the results begin to appear visibly in tests, exams and in confidence with the content studied.
Conclusion
Studying efficiently doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right techniques, you can learn more and spend less time on ineffective revisions. The combination of active retrieval and spaced repetition is a strategy based on real brain function, focused on long-term retention and intelligent use of time.
By applying these techniques in your daily life, you transform your relationship with studies. Instead of just rereading or underlining, start studying actively, challenging your memory and reinforcing key points at the ideal times. The result is more solid, lasting and, over time, even more enjoyable learning.
Therefore, whether using applications like Even, manual flashcards or simple notes, the most important thing is to start. Test, adapt to your routine and remain consistent. With active retrieval and spaced repetition, you don’t just study better—you actually learn.
