Re-reading feels productive. It isn’t. Decades of cognitive science say retrieval practice with spaced intervals dominates every other study method. Here’s the science and how to apply it.
The forgetting curve
Hermann Ebbinghaus showed in 1885 that we lose ~60% of new information within 24 hours. Spaced repetition counteracts this by re-exposing you to information just before you’d forget it.
What is spaced repetition?
You review flashcards at increasing intervals. Get it right: longer interval next time. Get it wrong: shorter interval. The algorithm optimizes review timing.
Why Anki is the gold standard
- SM-2 algorithm — battle-tested, open-source.
- Cross-platform — desktop, web, mobile, all sync.
- Free on every platform except iOS.
- Massive shared decks — medical school, languages, MCAT, USMLE.
The evidence base
Karpicke and Roediger (2008): retrieval practice produced 50% better retention than re-reading. Cepeda et al. (2008): spacing intervals improved long-term retention dramatically. Dunlosky et al. (2013) reviewed 10 study techniques and ranked practice testing + spacing as the top two.
How to do it right
- Write your own cards when possible — the writing IS the learning.
- One concept per card. Atomicity matters.
- Daily reviews. 15-30 minutes beats a 3-hour weekend cram.
- Honest grading. Cheating just delays the inevitable.
- Add images, mnemonics, or hooks.
What it isn’t good for
Conceptual understanding still requires reading, deriving, and explaining. SRS is a multiplier for facts, not a replacement for thinking.
Try it for 30 days
Pick one subject. Make 20 cards. Review daily. You’ll never go back.
How we researched this
This piece on Spaced Repetition Explained — Why Anki Beats Re-Reading 10x draws on institutional rankings, government education ministry publications, official program catalogs, peer-reviewed pedagogy research, and direct admissions office disclosures current to May 2026. Where ranges are provided, they represent observed values across multiple cohorts or institutions rather than a single source. We do not republish proprietary ranking data that requires licensing.
Our editorial process involves cross-referencing tuition, deadlines, scholarship terms, and admission requirements with the institution's official website before publication. Figures change frequently; readers should always confirm directly with the relevant admissions office, registrar, or scholarship authority before relying on them for application decisions.
Key takeaways for students and applicants
- Tuition figures cited reflect the published rate for the most recent academic year and typically exclude fees, health insurance, housing, and living costs. Total cost of attendance can be substantially higher than tuition alone, particularly in high cost-of-living cities.
- Admission requirements evolve year to year. Standardized test requirements, English proficiency thresholds, and required documentation differ by program within the same institution. Always work from the program-specific page rather than the general admissions page.
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Frequently asked questions
How current is the information on this page?
This page was last reviewed in May 2026. Tuition, scholarship, deadline, and admission threshold figures change every cycle; we recommend confirming any decisive figure against the official source before acting on it.
Where does the underlying data come from?
Underlying data is sourced from institution-published program catalogs, government ministry of education open data, official scholarship authority publications, and accreditation registries. Comparative figures are normalized to a common academic year where possible.
Can I use this to make my application decision?
Information here is for orientation. A final application decision should always be grounded in current program pages, an admissions counselor conversation, a confirmed cost of attendance estimate, and a realistic appraisal of your academic profile against the institution's published averages.
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