Students often are overwhelmed by the amount of science content that must be mastered and then applied on the DAT, OAT, PCAT, or MCAT. And this problem is not confined to subjects in which they have struggled in school. Many of these students have been successful in their coursework but are now faced with the challenge of recalling and applying all kinds of information on the one day that counts most: Test Day. This problem can be at least partially addressed by using Spaced Learning in a comprehensive prep program.
The exact definition of Spaced Learning varies among learning experts, but, defined broadly, Spaced Learning is a method in which the learner studies a stimulus—for example, a diagram and explanation of mitosis—several times but with intervals of time between those study periods during which the learner does not think about the subject at all. The time between mitosis study periods might be spent studying another topic, practicing Quantitative, or resting. The learning is thus “spaced” like so: study, time without the subject, study, time without the subject, study. Spaced Learning has been shown to significantly increase retention of material in long-term memory and improve ability to recall the knowledge when needed in the future, which is exactly what your students will need to do on Test Day.
Since there is so much content needed for the DAT, OAT, PCAT, and MCAT (and also so many skills needed for Quantitative, Verbal, Reading, and other sections), using Spaced Learning for better long-term memory retention and masterful retrieval when needed results in not only more points on Test Day for topics studied but also more efficient studying and therefore time to master more topics. At Kaplan, Spaced Learning is built into our DAT, OAT, PCAT, and MCAT courses. Subject lessons and assignments are spaced by lessons and assignments for other subjects; full-length practice tests are spaced during the course and by explanation and content study between tests; resources like Review Notes, Study Sheets, and Flashcards are designed to be used frequently throughout prep.
Spaced Learning will make your students’ studies more effective and efficient, but it does take time. By starting to prepare for their exams early, students can take the time needed to study each critical topic at least three times at spaced intervals and then practice applying their knowledge on practice problems, quizzes, and realistic practice tests.
