The LAS Review / Redo Strategy

By Loren Deutsch

Each year, some of our students and doctors-in-training designate a little holiday-time to prepare for their board exams. If you’re prepping during this break, consider The LAS Review/Redo Strategy, because we know that making mistakes is part of learning and sometimes we get it wrong before we get it right!

I often use the Review/Redo Strategy in our individual learning plans. Below is a sample of how I might incorporate this evidence-based approach:

• Identify a block of practice questions
• Determine an initial goal score
• Simulate the test and complete the practice block
• Score the practice block and verify the percentage of accuracy
• If accuracy is below the goal score, designate two days for The LAS Review/Redo Strategy

• Day 1: REVIEW – Be curious! Review each incorrectly answered question and self-prompt:
  
  • What is the question asking?
  • What is the correct answer?
  • Why is this answer correct?
  • How will I remember it?

• Day 2: REDO – Persevere! Redo the incorrectly answered questions within 24 hours of review and before answering, self-prompt:
  • Why is this answer correct?
  • If you don’t remember why – consider the answer incorrect! 

Note: Identifying incorrectly answered questions and clarifying correct answers is not necessarily sufficient for long-term memory retention. According to Daniel Willingham, Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, we must cultivate the residue of thought in order to remember.

Here’s to reviewing/redoing, learning, making mistakes, and hopefully getting it right in 2019!

For more information about recall practice, test preparation, or LAS evidence-based learning plans, contactus@lorenacademic.com.