Spaced repetition is a study technique built around reviewing material at gradually increasing intervals, rather than repeating the same content over and over in a single sitting, and it is one of the most well-supported study techniques for durable learning.
The Forgetting Curve
Memory naturally fades over time, but each time you successfully recall a piece of information, the rate of forgetting slows down. Reviewing a topic just before you would have forgotten it strengthens the memory more efficiently than reviewing it while it is still fresh in your mind.
Building a Spaced Schedule
A simple approach is to review new material the next day, then a few days later, then a week later, then several weeks later. Digital flashcard tools often automate this scheduling, but a paper calendar with review dates written in works just as well for a self-directed study plan.
Why This Beats Cramming
Cramming can create a temporary sense of familiarity that fades quickly within days, while material reviewed on a spaced schedule tends to stick around much longer. Because the PTCE draws on a broad content outline accumulated over weeks of study, durable retention matters far more than short-term recognition.
Putting This Into Practice
It is worth experimenting with this technique early in your preparation, rather than waiting until the final stretch before the exam, so you have time to adjust the approach to fit your own learning style before it truly matters.
A Final Thought
Pairing this strategy with a dedicated, distraction-free study environment tends to amplify its benefits considerably, since even the best technique loses much of its value when constantly interrupted by notifications or competing demands on your attention. A quick weekly check-in with yourself, rating how well a strategy like this is working on a simple scale, can help you catch early whether an adjustment is needed rather than discovering it was not working weeks later.
Spacing out review sessions over several weeks, rather than cramming everything into the final days before the exam, produces more durable knowledge for test day.