Here's the simple plan. Three strategies, backed by decades of research, that will transform how you learn.

Strategy 1: Test Yourself (Don't Just Review)

This is the single most powerful study technique researchers have found. It's called active recall—pulling information from memory rather than passively re-reading it.

A famous 2006 study found that students who tested themselves scored 80% on delayed tests versus 60% for those who only restudied. The counterintuitive finding? On immediate tests, restudying appeared superior. But at two days and one week? Testing dramatically outperformed.

What this looks like in practice:

Instead of re-reading your notes, close them and try to write down everything you remember. Use flashcards. Take practice tests. Ask yourself questions about the material before looking up answers.

It will feel harder. That's the point. Cognitive scientists call this "desirable difficulty"—conditions that feel challenging optimize long-term results.

Strategy 2: Space It Out

Your brain forgets approximately 50% of new information within the first hour and up to 90% within a week. This isn't a defect—it's how memory works.

But here's the good news: Each strategic review flattens this forgetting curve, making memories progressively more durable.

Spaced repetition means spreading your study sessions over time rather than cramming. The effect size in research is substantial (d=0.72 for those who care about statistics). In plain English: it works, and it works dramatically better than massing your study into a few intense sessions.

What this looks like in practice:

If you're studying for the CPA exam, don't study all of FAR in one week and then move on. Study a section, then return to it two days later. Then a week later. Then two weeks later. Your brain needs time to consolidate memories—and that consolidation happens during sleep, not during all-night study sessions.

Strategy 3: Mix It Up

Interleaving means mixing different problem types within a single session rather than practicing one type repeatedly.

Physics students using interleaved practice showed 50% improvement on the first test and 125% improvement on the second compared to blocked practice. Students consistently rated interleaved practice as more difficult and believed they learned less from it—despite objectively better performance.

What this looks like in practice:

Don't practice 20 tax problems, then 20 audit problems, then 20 financial reporting problems. Mix them together. Your brain has to work harder to identify which approach applies—and that extra cognitive effort builds stronger, more flexible knowledge.

Not Sure Which Strategy Fits You Best? Take the Quiz.

Before you overhaul your entire study routine, it helps to know what you're working with. Everyone learns differently, and the approach that works best depends on your natural tendencies.

Take the free Study Style Quiz to discover your learning strengths and get personalized recommendations: www.management-minute.com/study-quiz

It takes about 3 minutes, and you'll walk away knowing exactly which strategies will give you the biggest results.