knowledge to new contexts Aids knowledge organization Aids retrieval of untested information Improves metacognitive monitoring Provides feedback to instructors Frequent testing encourages study intentions Quizzes A meta-analysis found the following links between frequent low-stakes quizzes in real classes and improved student academic performance: There was an association between the use of quizzes and academic performance. This association was stronger in psychology classes This association was stronger in all classes when quiz performance could improve class grades. Students doing well on quizzes tended to lead to students doing well on final exams Regular quizzing increased the chances of students passing classes Transfer of learning Learning using retrieval practice appears to be one of the most effective methods for promoting transfer of learning. In particular the following three techniques have been identified as particularly beneficial for transfer especially when combined with feedback: i) Implementing broad rather than narrow retrieval exercises ii) Encouraging meaningful explanations of concepts or topics iii) Using a variety of complexity and formats with questions such as retrieval questions that require inference. Considerations Complex materials Some researchers have applied aspects of cognitive load theory to suggest the testing effect may disappear with increasing task difficulty due to increased element interactivity. This has been addressed in the literature with studies that show complex learning is benefitted by retrieval practice. Future research It has been suggested that as most studies on the impact of retrieval practice were conducted in WEIRD countries this could cause a bias which should be explored in further studies. Further reading Learning Scientists Retrieval Practice.org American Educator Barbara Oakley. Online course Learning How to Learn on coursera Brown, P.C., 2014. Make it stick. Harvard University Press. Forget what you know about good study habits in the New York Times Students Should Be Tested More, Not Less in the Atlantic References Memory tests Memory Educational psychology