Spaced Repetition And Active Recall - The Best Way To Do It So You Learn Faster
Spaced repetition and active recall help you learn faster and retain information longer. Combine them with flashcards to boost your memory effectively.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
If you want to learn faster, remember longer, and stop forgetting everything after a week — spaced repetition and active recall are the two study methods you must use together. They’re simple, proven, and way more effective than rereading or highlighting.
And if you want both methods done automatically for you, Flashrecall
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
makes it effortless.
What Active Recall Actually Means
Active recall is the process of forcing your brain to remember something before seeing the answer.
Examples:
- Looking at a flashcard and trying to recall the answer
- Quizzing yourself
- Answering without looking at notes
This technique makes your brain work harder — and that’s exactly what strengthens memory.
Rereading = weak memory
Active recall = strong, long-lasting memory
What Spaced Repetition Means
Spaced repetition is reviewing information right before you forget it.
Instead of cramming, you review at increasing intervals:
- After a few minutes
- After 1 hour
- After 1 day
- After 3 days
- After 1 week
- After 1 month
Every review strengthens your memory even more.
When active recall and spaced repetition are combined, you learn much faster.
Why You Should Use Both Together
On their own, they’re good.
Together, they’re unbeatable.
Active recall strengthens the memory.
Spaced repetition keeps the memory alive long-term.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
This combo helps you:
- Study faster
- Avoid cramming
- Stop forgetting
- Keep your brain sharp
- Learn languages, exams, or work material with ease
Most top students use this exact method.
How To Do It Correctly
Here’s the simple version:
You need something to test yourself with — flashcards are perfect.
Before flipping the card, try to remember the answer.
Even if you’re wrong, your brain still learns.
Don't review everything daily.
Use proper spacing:
- Soon after learning
- Then longer gaps
- Then longer again
This turns short-term memory into long-term memory.
How Flashrecall Makes This Automatic
Flashrecall is built specifically for active recall + spaced repetition.
It handles everything so you don’t need to plan or think.
You see the front → you think → then reveal the answer.
Simple and powerful.
No guesswork.
Flashrecall shows each card at the perfect time:
- Hard cards show up sooner
- Easy cards show up later
You just open the app and review what’s due today.
Flashrecall can turn anything into flashcards:
- Text
- Images
- PDFs
- YouTube videos
- Notes
- Audio
- Typed prompts
You can prep a whole topic in seconds.
Why This Helps You Learn Faster
When you study using active recall + spaced repetition inside Flashrecall, your learning becomes:
- Shorter
- Smarter
- More efficient
- More consistent
- Less stressful
You’ll remember things for weeks, months, and even years.
It works for:
- School
- University
- Medicine
- Languages
- CFA / ACCA
- Tech interviews
- Anything you need to memorise
Final Thoughts
Active recall + spaced repetition is the best study method in the world — and Flashrecall makes it insanely easy to use every day.
Try it free here and see how fast your memory improves:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Related Articles
- How to Study Smarter with Spaced Repetition and Active Recall
- Active Recall And Spaced Repetition - What Is It And How To Do It Properly
- Active Recall Spaced Repetition - What Is It And How To Do It QUICKLY & PROPERLY!
- Spaced Repetition Method – What It Is, Examples, and How Flashrecall Helps You Learn Faster With the Spaced Repetition Method
- Spaced Repetition Study Method – What Is It and How Flashrecall Helps You Study Faster With the Spaced Repetition Method
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
What is active recall and how does it work?
Active recall is the process of actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. Flashrecall forces proper active recall by making you think before revealing answers, then uses spaced repetition to optimize your review schedule.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective
FlashRecall Team
FlashRecall Development Team
The FlashRecall Team is a group of working professionals and developers who are passionate about making effective study methods more accessible to students. We believe that evidence-based learning tec...
Credentials & Qualifications
- •Software Development
- •Product Development
- •User Experience Design
Areas of Expertise
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