Are Practice Tests Effective for Learning? Reexamining the Testing Effect!

• In Event: Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis SIG Poster Session 2

Abstract

The “testing effect” is a cognitive psychology phenomenon that refers to the finding that taking a practice test on studied material promotes greater subsequent learning and retention of that material on a final test compared to other more commonly used study strategies. This meta-analysis examines the effects of practice tests versus "non-testing" learning conditions. Results from 272 studies included in the meta-analysis showed that practice tests are more beneficial for learning than restudying and all other comparison conditions (g = .61). Mean effect sizes were moderated by several variables including features of practice tests, participant characteristics, study settings, outcome constructs and methodological features of the studies. The study concludes with the scientific and practical implications of the meta-analysis.

Authors

• Olusola Olalekan Adesope, Washington State University

• Dominic Angelo Trevisan, Simon Fraser University

• NarayanKripa Sundararajan, Washington State University - Pullman