Retrieval practice means testing yourself on something you've learned, instead of rereading it. It's one of the most effective ways to make new knowledge stick — and it's why you get a Retrieval quiz in your student account.

When you try to recall an answer from memory — rather than looking it up or reading over your notes again — your brain has to work harder. That effort is exactly what makes the memory stronger.

This is sometimes called "the testing effect." Studies have shown that students who quiz themselves on material remember it much better weeks later than students who reread it instead.

💡 Tip: Rereading a topic can feel like it's working because the material feels familiar. Retrieval practice feels harder in the moment — but that's a sign it's actually helping your memory.

Retrieval quizzes are set up by your teacher for your whole class, either weekly or fortnightly, and you'll find it on your School work page. It's made up of questions covering topics you've answered fairly recently, so you're recalling them rather than learning them for the first time.

⚠️ Note: You might get a question wrong on your Retrieval quiz, even if you got it right before. That's normal — it means that topic needs a bit more practice, and answering it again is helping you close that gap.

Retrieval practice can feel less comfortable than reading through notes, especially when you get an answer wrong. But getting something wrong and then working through it is far more useful for your memory than getting it right by recognising the answer.

The more you practise recalling what you've learned, the longer it stays with you — which is exactly why topics keep reappearing across your student account.

If you need more help, click the Help button at the top of your page.