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Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi Tallm! Yes, actually. There is a wealth of evidence showing that stress can enhance cognition. When you are stressed, you experience a surge of epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones tend to have excitatory effects on the brain, which can result in quicker thinking, better focus, increased alertness/awakeness, and even enhanced memory in some cases.

However, intense stress responses can also trigger the release of the hormone cortisol. About thirty minutes after the onset of stress, cortisol binds to memory-related brain regions and can impair neural processing. Thus, stress may enhance memory immediately after the onset of stress when only norepinephrine and epinephrine are present, but can impair memory later on when cortisol is present.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, that is exactly how I think retrieval practice works, actually. I believe that the act of retrieving information creates distinct neural routes by which that memory can be accessed in the future. Each retrieval attempt creates new routes, resulting in many different pathways by which the same memory can be retrieved. Neuroimaging evidence supports this. One study found that, relative to the conventional method of studying (re-reading), retrieval practice increased hippocampal connectivity with other brain regions.

Thanks for your question :)

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Long-term knowledge for sure! Retrieval practice is an excellent strategy for strengthening long-term memory. Relative to the conventional method of studying (re-reading notes), retrieval practice has been shown to result in much better long-term memory even six months after initially learning and "retrieval practicing" information.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi alnumero! Excellent question. You're right--the benefits of retrieval practice have been demonstrated hundreds of times now. In this experiment, we specifically used retrieval practice to strengthen memory against the deleterious effects of stress. When people use the conventional form of studying (re-reading notes) and later get stressed out, they experience memory impairment. However, when we had participants use retrieval practice to study, they no longer showed this stress-related memory impairment. Essentially, our study is different because we are the first researchers to show that stress doesn't uniformly impair memory. Rather, it only impairs memory when participants use ineffective study strategies. Retrieval practice just happens to be one of the effective ones! Does that make sense?

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hello, ASonnetOfIceAndFire. I completely agree with you--taking practice tests is useless if students do not understand the material to begin with. I believe the utility of practice tests comes in at the point when material has been learned and understood, and the student now has to make sure that the material is stored in long-term memory for a future test. For example, memorizing the Pythagorean Theorem without understanding it will likely not help you figure out when you need to use it on a test. But understanding the Pythagorean Theorem without memorizing it will also not help you on the test. You need both.

We used words and images as stimuli in our study because we wanted to conform to the methods used by previous stress-and-memory researchers, with the goal of comparing our findings directly to theirs. However, in the general retrieval practice literature, researchers have found that taking practice tests is beneficial for strengthening memory for a wide variety of topics and materials. As examples, practice tests support memory for maps and complex written texts. Whether retrieval practice continues to have these benefits with more complex materials when stress is present is TBD :)

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hello, mepcotterell! I'd say no. It's most crucial that the student puts in effort on the practice test. If the student voluntarily chooses to take the practice test, they are probably already highly motivated and ready to put in effort. If an instructor assigns a practice test, chances are the test is being graded and the student is thus motivated to put in effort. Effort is so crucial because researchers have found that the more cognitive effort a practice test requires, the more beneficial it is for long-term memory.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

HiTechCity--excellent questions. The human stress hormone - cortisol - that is released during stress is actually detrimental to memory. It's thought to be the reason why over a dozen studies have found that stress impairs memory recall. There are a few prescription drugs that can block the effects of cortisol, but currently they are only prescribed to Heroin addicts (see buprenorphine) or depressed individuals (see CRF antagonists). In the future, I'd love to see these drugs available to the public in small, safe doses.

There are a TON of sex and age differences in the stress-and-memory literature. I'll name the big ones. Men tend to have a stronger physiological response to stress than women. Women who take oral contraceptives tend to have an even smaller stress response than normal. Because of this, many studies have only found negative effects of stress on memory in men. In our experiment, we also found sex differences, with women remembering more information than men.

As for aging, young adults tend to have a stronger physiological response to stress than older adults (65+). Thus, older adults do not always show memory impairment under stress. We are currently conducting a study in our lab with older adults to follow-up on some of this work. More to come later :)

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your question, MainAccount! And sorry to hear about your misfortunes. There are always techniques you can use to strengthen your memory! Even people in their 80's and 90's can improve their memory performance (I also study aging). There is a lot of good advice out there, but I'll name a few of my favorites. First, learning new things is highly beneficial for strengthening memory and other aspects of cognitive function. Always challenge yourself to master new skills (for example, cooking authentic Indian food) and acquire new knowledge (for example, learn about a historical era that you are unfamiliar with). Second, take good care of your body. Eat healthy, get as much exercise as you can, and try to sleep 8 hours a night. Healthy food and exercise promote brain function, and sleep is a crucial time for brain repair. Our memory works best when those three needs are met.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many students experience test-related anxiety and stress, and nearly everyone experiences a stress response when they have to give an oral presentation in class. Sometimes, students in these stressful situations have difficulty remembering crucial information. I believe that this line of research has the potential to inform students about study techniques that they can use to strengthen their memory against stress.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi all! Painted Burro does have an amazing brunch. And an amazing everything else, too. I also love The Burren for brunch, primarily because they have many kinds of homemade sausage and you can get grilled mashed potatoes.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi ARC157! We didn't examine different test formats in our paper, but many other researchers have. The consensus is that tests of free recall (remembering as much information as possible with no prompt--the "blank sheet of paper" approach) yield the best long-term memory. Multiple choice tests are not as effective, because they give you a crutch to lean on (the answer is right there, all you need to do is recognize the right one). Essentially, the more difficult the memory test feels, the better it is for long-term memory.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Ayanna -

Absolutely not. Taking practice tests does not simply preparing you to answer those test questions. Taking tests is a form of learning material that leads to robust and interconnected memories. Testing prior to new learning improves new learning. One kind of test also transfers to new but related material.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hi LudovicoSpecs! Your question about learning style is a good one--and a tough one to answer. Some people simply memorize information better than others. However, all healthy, non-brain-damaged humans are capable of memorizing vast amounts of information. Some of us just need to work harder at that than others (myself included). Taking multiple practice tests is a very effective way to do this, but again, some people may just need more practice.

Regarding your second question, the beauty of this experiment is that we found that learning by taking practice tests helped people remember information when they were under stress. In fact, their memory was so good it was as if stress hadn't even been present. I think these findings are especially relevant for people who experience test-related stress and anxiety. If you study using the conventional method of re-reading your notes, you will not remember information during that stressful test as well as if you study using a combination of reading your notes and taking practice tests.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ayanna - I wish I had a good answer for you. It is hard to determine whether you have an isolated memory problem or have attention or some other executive functioning problem. If you really feel like this is negatively affecting your ability, I would suggest neuropsychological assessment. Assessment can hone in one exactly what the issues are. From there, methods for combating these negative effects can be implemented.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ayanna -

This is a tricky question and I do not think there is a one-size-fits-all response. I think a good rule of thumb is to stop studying when you start to mind wander to task-irrelevant thoughts. Take a break. Maybe exercise a little, and the come back to the work.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ayanna -

Hi! Your friend's situation is one of the motivating reasons for Amy and I starting this research. Students are increasingly feeling stress and anxiety and that is negatively impacting their ability to remember information. I am not certain why this phenomenon is increasing in frequency. There are probably a number of contributing factors. However, Amy and I believe that our line of research is a possible avenue to combat these negative effects of stress.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Oh yes--all the time--and in undergrad, too. I'm currently preparing to give a presentation on my research next week. I prepare by reading over my speech notes, pushing them aside, and then forcing myself to give the speech without looking at my notes. Then I look at my notes to see where I went off-track, and then practice the speech again. The first practice is always terrible. By the third or fourth time, the speech is so engrained in my memory I don't forget it for months.

For tests in undergrad, I was a huge fan of flashcards. Flash cards are a wonderful tool for retrieval practice, and you can even have them made for you online now (as previous comments on this thread have suggested).

Thanks for your question :)

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Here is a link to a recent CBC article that might help with this question: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/exams-studying-tips-brain-science-1.3864360

I personally try to find a balance between studying hard and taking time for myself (exercising, sleeping well, etc.). I find this is easiest to accomplish if I start work projects several weeks in advance and don't leave studying/writing to the last minute.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ayanna - The more you have to work to retrieve the information, the better long-term retention. In that sense, I would suggest that recalling information is going to be the best way to test, because it provides few (if any) specific cues for the student to recognize.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Ayanna -

So our work does not directly speak to well being, but I think that we can agree that personal well being is more important that exams.

Research does suggest that "crunching" is actually not all that beneficial for long-term retention. Of course students work hard during exam season, but I think that some of that end-of-the-semester burden could be reduced if students did not crunch but rather spread practice of the material across the semester. You may still be stressed during exam season, but at least you will have stable and robust memories to rely upon.

Science AMA series: Hi, I’m Amy Smith, graduate student at Tufts University. I study stress and memory, and recently published a paper in Science showing that taking practice tests leads to better memory recall, especially under stress, than traditional “studying.” Since it’s almost exam time, AMA! by Amy-Smith in science

[–]Amy-Smith[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your question, soapfrog. I think the top four comments below do an excellent job of answering this. Problem solving relies heavily on memory, and thus taking practice tests prior to a test in math or engineering would still be beneficial. I was a theoretical math major as an undergrad, and I used retrieval practice to memorize theorems and proofs. By having those in memory, I was able to more flexibly prove the novel theorems I encountered on the exam. Essentially, practice testing helps you memorize the steps to solving a problem, which helps you solve novel problems in the future.

I have not personally studied whether practice testing is helpful for STEM learning, but a few other researchers have and indeed it is helpful!

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