| Abstract: | Students often struggle to recall information on tests, frequently claiming to experience a “retrieval failure” of learned information. Thus, the retrieval of information from memory may be a roadblock to student success. I propose a relatively simple adjustment to the wording of test items to help eliminate this potential barrier. Specifically, I examined whether embedding salient information from class lectures in test items as retrieval cues enhanced student performance on tests. In two studies, including both an upper- and lower-division course, student performance on identical test items with and without retrievals was compared. Student performance varied significantly depending on whether retrieval cues were embedded in the items, and in both courses the difference was at least a half letter grade (study 2) or more (study 1). These results suggest that the selective use of retrieval cues on tests may be an effective strategy for helping students overcome retrieval failure on tests. |
