The DOI matches its Crossref record; 41 of the 41 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Testing improves long-term retention in a simulated classroom setting
Abstract
The benefits of testing on long-term retention of lecture material were examined in a simulated classroom setting. Participants viewed a series of three lectures on consecutive days and engaged in a different type of postlecture activity on each day: studying a lecture summary, taking a multiple choice test, or taking a short answer test. Feedback (correct answers) was provided for half of the responses on the multiple choice and short answer tests. A final comprehensive short answer test was given 1 month later. Restudying or taking a multiple choice test soon after learning improved final recall relative to no activity, but taking an initial short answer test improved final recall the most. Feedback did not affect retention, probably due to the high level of performance on the initial tests. This finding is a powerful demonstration of how tests (especially recall tests) can improve retention of material after long retention intervals.
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“When material has been previously studied, taking an MCQ test followed by feedback has been found to yield comparable final test performance to restudying (e.g.Butler & Roediger, 2007; S. H. K. Kang, McDermott, & Roediger, 2007;McDaniel, Anderson, Derbish, & Morisette, 2007).”
From The benefit of generating errors during learning (2014) · cites this paper as Butler & Roediger, 2007
In the citing paper
“When cued or free recall is employed during the learning phase, many studies have found improved subsequent memory performance on a final test compared to when recognition is used (Butler & Roediger, 2007; Kang et al., 2007; Stenlund et al., 2016); for reviews, see (McDermott, 2021; Rowland, 2014).”
From Does difficulty moderate learning? A comparative analysis of the desirable difficulties framework and cognitive load theory (2025) · cites this paper as Butler & Roediger, 2007
In the citing paper
“This notion can be compared to the DDF/REH in that tasks requiring a generated response (cued and free recall) consistently yield higher long-term retention (Butler & Roediger, 2007; Carpenter & DeLosh, 2006; Endres & Renkl, 2015; Kang et al., 2007; Stenlund et al., 2016); for reviews, see McDermott (2021) and Rowland (2014).”
From Does difficulty moderate learning? A comparative analysis of the desirable difficulties framework and cognitive load theory (2025) · cites this paper as Butler & Roediger, 2007
In the citing paper
“The beneficial effects of retrieval practice have been demonstrated across a variety of materials, as reviewed by Dunlosky et al. (2013).”
From Practicing Retrieval Facilitates Learning (2021) · cites this paper as Butler & Roediger 2007
In the citing paper
“Some studies have demonstrated testing effects using classroom materials (e.g., Carpenter et al. 2009) or using experimenter-created materials in a simulated classroom setting (Butler & Roediger 2007, Duchastel & Nungester 1982); to date, however, very few studies have attempted to address whether introduction of in-class quizzing can improve actual course grades.”
From Practicing Retrieval Facilitates Learning (2021) · cites this paper as Butler & Roediger 2007
In the citing paper
“Of the more applied studies that have used standard educational materials, many have taken place in simulated classrooms.23”
From Test-enhanced learning in medical education (2008) · cites this paper as [23]
In the citing paper
“On a final test administered 1 month later, taking an initial short-answer test yielded better retention than either taking an initial MCQ test or studying the lecture summary.”
From Test-enhanced learning in medical education (2008) · cites this paper as [23]
In the citing paper
“This study and others indicate that using production tests in the classroom will promote better retention than recognition tests.23,24”
From Test-enhanced learning in medical education (2008) · cites this paper as [23]
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Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Butler, A. C., & Roediger, H. L.
- Affiliations
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Butler, Andrew C.
- ORCID
- Butler, Andrew C.
- Venue
- European Journal of Cognitive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2007-07
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 4-5
- Pages
- 514-527
- ISSN
- 0954-1446 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0635
- OpenAlex
- W2169834253
- Cited by
- 434
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 20
- FWCI
- 8.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The European Journal of Cognitive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
- Social Sciences › Education › Innovative Teaching Methods
- Keywords
- testing effect, long-term retention, recall tests, short-answer tests, multiple-choice tests, feedback, lecture summaries, restudying, simulated classroom, memory retention
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