How To Remember What You’ve Read?

Dr. Stephanie Kenny, Dean of Students
A young girl is studying but is very stressed out.

Preparing for a test can be a difficult and stressful experience. Taking in a vast amount of information and remembering it can seem like an insurmountable task. Thankfully, there plenty of simple, creative strategies for retaining more of what you read. Allowing you to use that information to correctly answer questions during your Pearson Vue test.

Tips and Techniques

  • Take notes on the page – Studies have shown that taking notes on the page of the book you are reading makes it easier to remember the information, and to put it in context. It is suggested that this is because there is no disconnection from the act of reading and the act of taking notes. Your brain connects both actions, meaning you only have to remember one thing, rather than two.
  • Ask yourself questions – As you read, ask yourself questions about the text, such as “What is the main idea of this section?” and “”What point is trying to be conveyed here?” It is easier to remember information that is the answer to a question than information with no context.
  • Skim the text first – A recent article authored by Bill Klemm Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience, suggested that skim reading the text before reading it in-depth allowed the reader to become familiar with important topics and keywords. This in turn allowed them to better contextualize information and retain it more accurately
  • Explain the information to others – Once you think you have a handle on the information you are trying to remember, try explaining it to others. Repeating the information helps to fix it in your mind while questions and comments from listeners can bring up interesting points or highlight areas that you may have forgotten or misinterpreted.
  • Read out loud – Psychologist Art Markman Ph.D, suggests that reading select information out loud can help to fix that information in your mind. This normally works best with two or three sentences, rather than a whole book. It is thought this method works because you remember hearing the information, rather than reading it, which creates a different, and more distinct, memory.

Read and Retain

The trick to any form of exam preparation is to make sure you are in the right environment, are well rested and have given yourself enough time to take in the required information. If you still find yourself struggling, use our tips and techniques to help the text come off the page.

 

Here at Northwest Career College, we are committed to providing all Pearson Vue testers with the best possible facilities in which to take their exams. Hosting the Pearson Vue testing center on the Northwest campus also allows testers to visit our campus should they want to take advantage of the excellent courses we have to offer. Northwest offers morning, afternoon, night, online and blended classes to accommodate your Las Vegas work and family schedule. And, we have an experienced Career Services team to help you find the best employment opportunity for your new career. Call us today on (702) 403-1592 to find out more about what we can offer you!

 

Written by:
Dr. Stephanie Kenny  
Dean of Students