It is easy to read or hear something and assume that you will remember it. Most of us do this every day. For example, you might glance at your weekly schedule to check the time of a meeting. You see that it is written down as 5 p.m. The time seems simple enough, so you close your calendar without another thought. But moments later, you cannot recall whether the meeting was at 5 or 5:30. This is a small but clear example of passive reading. The information was right in front of you, but because you did not engage with it actively, it slipped away almost immediately.
A more effective approach is to take a simple extra step. As you close your calendar, ask yourself aloud or silently, “What time is the meeting?” If you can answer correctly, you confirm that you not only saw the information but also processed it. To strengthen this further, repeat the process after a short delay. Thirty seconds after closing your schedule, ask yourself again. Each time you retrieve the information, you deepen the memory trace. You shift from passive exposure to active recall, which dramatically improves your ability to remember.
This same principle applies directly to your GMAT preparation. Reading through material without testing yourself is not enough. When you passively move from one line to the next, your brain may register the words, but retention is weak. Long-term learning comes only from active engagement. By consistently checking your understanding, you make the information stick.
Consider a concrete example. Suppose you have just read the definition of the least common multiple for the first time. Rather than moving immediately to the next paragraph, pause and ask yourself to restate the definition. If you struggle, go back and review until you can say it clearly. Then, after a short interval, ask yourself again. The repeated act of recalling the definition ensures that you are not just recognizing words on a page but actually internalizing the concept.
The broader lesson is that successful preparation requires you to be an active participant. Whether you are reviewing math definitions or reading comprehension strategies, the method is the same. Expose yourself to the material, then retrieve it from memory. This cycle of exposure and recall builds durable knowledge and prepares you to apply what you have learned under test conditions.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
