When it comes to preparing for the Civil Service Exam, Board Exams, or college entrance tests, many students make the same mistake: they keep reading and rereading their notes — but forget to check if they’ve actually learned anything.
One of the most powerful ways to boost your memory and performance is surprisingly simple:
Test yourself. Often. Actively. Repeatedly.
Let’s explore the testing yourself study technique, why it works, and how to use it effectively.
🎯 What Is the Testing Effect?
Also known as retrieval practice, the "testing effect" is a proven learning principle. It states that you remember information better when you try to recall it rather than just reviewing it passively.
Instead of only highlighting or rereading your notes, testing forces your brain to dig out information — which strengthens memory and improves understanding.
🧠 Why Testing Works Better Than Rereading
- Encourages active recall, which makes information stick
- Helps identify what you really know vs. what you just recognize
- Reduces overconfidence from passive studying
- Builds your exam-day confidence through practice
- Mimics real testing conditions, improving speed and accuracy
✅ How to Use the Testing Yourself Technique
1. Use Practice Questions (Like in Brevph)
After reviewing a topic, immediately answer questions about it.
- Use the Practice feature in Brevph to test by topic
- Select "Check Answer" and read the explanations
- Mark the questions you got wrong — and come back to them later
2. Create Your Own Quizzes
- Make a list of key facts, terms, or formulas
- Cover the answers and try to write them from memory
- Use index cards or quiz apps to randomize questions
3. Recite From Memory
- Close your notes and explain a concept aloud
- Pretend you’re teaching it to someone
- Use the Feynman Technique (teach it simply) to test your grasp
4. Use Flashcards (Digital or Paper)
- Make flashcards with questions on one side and answers on the other
- Shuffle them often
- Try apps like Anki, Quizlet, or Brevph’s flashcard feature (if available)
5. Do Timed Mock Exams
Simulate real exam conditions:
- Set a timer
- Work through a full-length practice test
- Review your score and note the questions you struggled with
🧠 Tip: Start testing yourself early, not just a week before the exam.
🕒 When Should You Test Yourself?
- Immediately after learning something new
- Later that day as a recap
- After a few days to check long-term memory
- Weekly as part of spaced repetition
The goal is to space your testing over time — not just cram the night before.
📌 What to Test Yourself On
- Vocabulary and definitions
- Laws and articles (e.g., RA 6713, RA 3019)
- Math formulas and procedures
- General information and current events
- Situational judgment and logical reasoning
Final Thoughts
Testing yourself isn’t just about checking if you’re ready — it makes you ready.
Every time you quiz yourself, you’re building stronger connections in your brain. So stop relying only on notes and highlighting — start recalling, applying, and practicing.
📚 Train like it’s test day. Review like a champion. Pass with confidence — only on Brevph.