Test-potentiated learning: distinguishing between direct and indirect effects of tests

Abstract

The facilitative effect of retrieval practice, or testing, on the probability of later retrieval has been the focus of much recent empirical research. A lesser known benefit of retrieval practice is that it may also enhance the ability of a learner to benefit from a subsequent restudy opportunity. This facilitative effect of retrieval practice on subsequent encoding is known as test-potentiated learning. Thus far, however, the literature has not isolated the indirect effect of retrieval practice on subsequent memory (via enhancing the effectiveness of restudy) from the direct effects of retrieval on subsequent memory. The experiment presented here uses conditional probability to disentangle test-potentiated learning from the direct effects of retrieval practice. The results indicate that unsuccessful retrieval attempts enhance the effectiveness of subsequent restudy, demonstrating that tests do potentiate subsequent learning.

Figure 1

Experimental design. The top row represents the 1-Test condition, and the bottom row represents the 5-Test condition. After initial study, participants took 1 or 5 tests before restudying the word pairs. This test(s)-restudy cycle repeated nine (1-Test) or three (5-Test) times. All participants then took a final test.

Figure 2

Proportion of items recalled on each test in both conditions as a function of trial number. Arrows represent the change in performance from the pre- to the post-restudy test for the first three restudy trials.

Figure 3

Proportion of items recalled on the post-restudy tests after adjusting for recall on the pre-restudy tests for Restudies 1, 2, and 3. Means for each condition are displayed in their respective bars. Error bars represent standard errors of the mean.

Figure 4

Left panel: The proportion of items retrieved on the pre-restudy tests that were also retrieved on the post-restudy tests after Restudies 1, 2, and 3 as a function of test condition. Right panel: The proportion of items not retrieved on the pre-restudy tests that were retrieved on the post-restudy tests after Restudies 1, 2, and 3 as a function of test condition. Means for each condition are displayed in their respective bars. Error bars represent standard errors of the mean.