One of the most effective ways to accelerate your GMAT learning is to take advantage of a principle that cognitive scientists have understood for years. We tend to learn and retain information far more efficiently when we allow a bit of forgetting to occur and then revisit the material after a short interval. This approach, known as spaced repetition, strengthens long-term memory and builds deeper understanding than one long, uninterrupted study block.
Consider a familiar Quant topic such as units digit patterns. You might study the topic for an hour and feel confident by the end of that session. At that moment, the concepts and patterns are fresh in your mind. Instead of continuing with the same topic, shift your focus to something completely different, perhaps Critical Reasoning assumption questions or a different area of Quant. As you progress through these other topics, your grasp of units digit patterns will naturally begin to fade. This is not a setback. It is part of the process.
When you return to units digit patterns a day or two later, you will likely find that your understanding rebounds much more quickly than expected. You are not starting from scratch. You are reinforcing and strengthening what you learned earlier. In many cases, you will also notice new insights and connections that did not occur to you the first time around. This is the power of spaced repetition. Each review session adds another layer of depth, making your knowledge more stable and more flexible.
This approach is not limited to one topic. You can use spaced repetition throughout your entire GMAT preparation. You might revisit a topic five, six, or even seven times over several weeks. Each return gives your brain a chance to consolidate information, fill small gaps, and sharpen your recall. Over time, this leads to stronger mastery and far greater confidence on test day.
If your goal is sustained improvement rather than short-lived memorization, incorporate spaced repetition into your study plan. It is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that what you learn today is still available to you when you need it most.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
