Active Recall vs. Passive Reading — What's Best for Exams?

Active Recall vs. Passive Reading — What's Best for Real Exams?

We've all been there.

Re-reading our notes. Highlighting everything. Reading the same page over and over.
And somehow… still remembering none of it when it counts.

So the question is simple:

Are you studying, or just busy doing nothing?

Let's dissect it.

What Is Passive Reading?

Passive reading makes you feel productive because you're doing something.
But it's precisely what the name implies: passive.

It's when you:

Re-read your notes

Highlight everything

Watch videos without trying yourself

It's low-effort, low-pressure — and truly, low-retention.
You're watching the content, but you're not working with it.

Your brain isn't even rehearsing how to remember.
It's simply observing stuff pass by.

What Is Active Recall?

Picture this, though.

You close your book and attempt to scribble down whatever you can recall.
You test yourself. You create flashcards.
You read the subject out loud, even if nobody is listening.

That's active recall.

It takes more effort. You'll get it wrong.
You might even feel awkward.

But that's why it's effective.

It challenges your brain to think, to stretch, to recall.

So… Which One Works Better?

Here's the reality:
Passive reading makes you think you're learning.
Active recall shows you actually are.

One is easy.
The other builds memory.

What Research Says

A landmark 2013 study by Dunlosky et al. tested 10 study techniques.
Guess which one came out on top?

✅ Active recall (practice testing)
❌ Passive reading, highlighting, summarizing — all low-ranking

It's not even close.

The science supports it.
The results demonstrate it.
The approach makes a difference.

How to Apply Both (The Intelligent Approach)

You don't need to choose. You just need the proper sequence.

Begin with passive reading — to get a sense of the subject

Move on to active recall — to reinforce it into your memory

Repeat the recall — 1 day, then 3 days

Concept passive reading as step one, and not the entire trip.

Real Exam Strategy (That Really Works)

Suppose you have 7 days until a test.

Day 1: Read through once. Put book down. Write down what you can remember.

Day 2: Test yourself. Flashcards. Teach it back.

Day 4: Do it again. Same questions, no notes.

Day 6: Random mini test. No peeking. No excuses.

Day 7: Confidence > Cramming.

Final Thought
Most folks don't forget because they're lazy —
but because they're looking over rather than remembering.

So the next time you sit down to study, ask yourself:

Am I doing a memory practice?
Or simply looking at the page?

The answer may change everything.