The Illusion of Competence
When you read a highlighted textbook, your brain recognizes the information and tricks you into thinking you have memorized it. This is called the "Illusion of Competence." You only realize you don't actually know the answer when you are sitting in the examination hall staring at a blank paper.
How to Practice Active Recall
Active recall forces your brain to retrieve information without looking at the source. It is mentally taxing, which is exactly why it works.
- Close the Book: After reading a page, close the book and write down everything you remember.
- Flashcards: Use physical cards or apps like Anki to test yourself on key concepts.
- Feynman Technique: Try to explain the concept out loud to an imaginary 5-year-old. If you stumble, you haven't mastered it.