When test time comes around, many kids default to rereading notes or highlighting. While those methods feel productive, they don’t actually help information stick.
If you’ve ever wondered “How can I actually help my child study?”, you’re not alone. Here are two proven strategies you can use together to make test prep more effective:
What to Do
- Grab their review sheets, notes, or textbook.
- Ask them questions out loud.
- Mix up the order and repeat tricky questions.
- If they get stuck, explain the answer, then circle back to it later.
Why It Helps
This is called retrieval practice (the “testing effect”). Instead of passively rereading, your child has to pull information from memory, which strengthens recall and improves long-term learning.
Best For: Facts and details like vocabulary, dates, names, and definitions.
What to Do
- Ask your child to explain the concept in their own words.
- As they explain, ask follow-up questions like:
- “Why does that happen?”
- “Can you give me an example?”
- If they get stuck, review the material together.
- Have them explain it again until it feels clear and confident.
Why It Helps
This uses the protégé effect: teaching others is one of the best ways to learn. Explaining out loud forces kids to organize thoughts, connect ideas, and uncover gaps in their understanding.
Best For: Bigger concepts that require explanation, like the water cycle, math processes, or essay themes.
These two methods, testing and teaching, work best when another person is involved:
- No shortcuts: They can’t just peek at answers.
- Immediate feedback: You can correct misunderstandings right away.
- Test-like pressure: Answering out loud feels closer to the real exam.
The best studying often isn’t done alone. Kids learn more when they interact, explain, and get feedback. 10–15 minutes of testing or teaching beats an hour of silent rereading.By stepping in as the “study partner,” you’ll help your child build confidence and remember more for the long run.
At Abrite, we know that studying is most effective when it’s done with someone. Our tutors use strategies like retrieval practice and the protégé effect every day to help students succeed.
Let’s give your child the support they need to ace those tests!
Amina Ali
Founder of Abrite
I’ve been a tutor for 10+ years, and I founded Abrite because I believe every student can succeed with the right support. I share practical advice to help families and educators guide kids to grow into their best and brightest selves!