Ways to self-test

Self testing is a powerful way to learn
Self testing helps you find out what you really know.  Practising retrieving content can make it easier to recall in the future (the testing effect).  The testing format does not have to be the same as the actual assessment.  
Five (or more) minute paper
1.	Identify a topic, theme or issue you have studied recently.
2.	Write for a set time against the clock about it.
3.	Check against your notes.  Have you left something out?
Make your own questions
Writing and compiling questions can help focus your studying. Check past papers for format and styles of questions. You can write new questions by changing the topics, limit and/or focus.  Make short focused questions as well as complex ones  (these tend to include simpler questions).  
Use cue cards – small chunks of learning
Make a series of double-sided cue or summary cards.  Select the most important things and reduce these ideas to key words and phrases. Use these to test your knowledge on a regular basis.  Space your testing – test the topics you know least well more often.
Key diagrams: Look, cover, draw, check
1.	Look at the source;
2.	Cover it up (e.g. close the book);
3.	Draw it in outline and annotate with explanations from memory;
4.	Check your version against the original diagram and associated text explanation.
Beware the fluency illusion
Re-reading notes and texts can leave us thinking we think we have a better grasp of the content than we really do simply because it is familiar.
End.
www.ed.ac.uk/iad