How to Study for a Test - Spaced Repetition, by Purely Persistent - GED and HiSET Prep on YouTube. 5 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes to set up
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Gather the material you need to learn and split it into small chunks, such as one definition, formula or fact per card. Keep each card to a single question.
Write a clear question on the front of each card and a short answer on the back. Test yourself out loud so you know the card works.
Study the full set once today. Put any card you answer wrong into a separate review pile.
Review the whole set again one day later. Move cards you get right to a longer gap and keep missed cards in the short pile.
Space the next reviews further apart, for example three days, then one week, then two weeks. Only review a card when its gap comes up.
Mark each review date in your calendar or let a flashcard app schedule it for you. Set a reminder so you do not skip a session.
At each session, answer the card before you flip it. If you get it wrong, reset that card to a short gap and start again.
Keep adding new cards as you cover new topics, but never drop the older cards. Mix subjects in one session to keep it varied.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not cram all reviews into one day, since the gaps between sessions are what make the method work.
Keep cards short and test one fact at a time so you can tell exactly what you missed.
Review right before you sleep if you can, as it can help the material settle.
Be patient in the first week. The early reviews feel slow but later sessions get much shorter.
Questions
How often should I review each card?
Start with one day, then three days, then a week, then two weeks. Stretch the gap each time you answer correctly and shorten it when you miss.
Can I use spaced repetition for math and essays?
Yes. Use cards for formulas and key steps in math, and for essay outlines or key terms. Write out full practice answers for longer writing tasks.
Do I need an app?
No. Paper cards and a calendar work fine. An app just handles the scheduling for you.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
