Some St. Thomas students prefer preparing for exams by taking a practice test, a form of studying found more effective than other methods, according to research done by the journal Science.

The research finds that memory-retrieval tests help students learn more effectively than studying the material repeatedly and “concept mapping,” a study strategy where students draw detailed diagrams.

According to the study, students who read a passage and took a test on the reading remembered about 50 percent more of the information a week later than students who drew detailed diagrams or repeatedly studied the material.

“This study is interesting because, not to say that concept mapping is harming in any way, but there might actually be better ways to retain information, and that is by giving some sort of retrieval-memory test of the material,” psychology professor Tonia Bock said.

According to the study, by retaining information, students are organizing it, and creating cues and connections that their brains can later recognize.

Sophomore Layla Mostaghimi said she uses a wide variety of study methods, depending on the course subject, and she prefers when professors hand out study guides as well as practice tests.

“I use note cards especially for vocabulary words and questions that have specific answers in order to help me remember and review the material,” Mostaghimi said.

Psychology professor Tonia Bock said she distributed a New York Times article about the study to her students the first week of class to discuss the research. For five years, Bock has used the retrieval-memory method in her psychological testing course by giving students short-essay tests about past homework assignments.

She said she uses this method to get students to remember as much as they can, to share their responses with peers and to engage them in discussion.

Students will often recognize gaps in their knowledge, Bock said.

“I value tests. Personally I think that taking a test, whether it is formal or informal, is a great way to establish what I know and don’t know, and to re-learn information or make corrections,” Bock said.

Many studying methods

Freshman Heaven Fekadu said, “If I ever have an essay exam, I always make my own form of a practice test by writing out my answer before I take the real test, so I don’t go in having writer’s block.”

David Moore, director of the Academic Support Center, works with many students that have questions and concerns about test-taking and studying.

Moore said recent studies, similar to the Science research, have reported that some sort of test-taking practice is a good way to learn, and that taking practice tests can help students recognize knowledge gaps, Moore said.

Senior Francisco Velasquez said practice tests are helpful only if they are similar or more challenging than the actual test. Otherwise, he said, he finds them useless.

Studying is a process

Moore has talked to students who have benefited from practice tests, he said. He always tells students to be active rather than passive when studying test material, he said.

“Don’t just look at your notes. I recommend writing, saying things out loud, forming study groups, and finding all different ways to study,” Moore said.

Senior Sahr Brima said he uses a similar approach.

“Make sure you are understanding the material, taking consistent notes and gradually reviewing it instead of waiting for the professor to hand out a study guide or practice test,” he said.

Moore said it is never too late to change your studying habits.

“[Studying] is a continual process,” he said.

Brima said, “I think a lot of students studying methods are based on last minute preparation and cramming for tests and that is the reason why I think some students struggle, because they aren’t prepared.”

Ariel Kendall can be reached at akendall@stthomas.edu.