Mastering SAT Learning: 7 Expert Strategies for Enhanced Retention via Self-Explanation
==========================================================
Self-explanation is a powerful learning strategy that can significantly improve your retention of SAT material. By actively reinterpreting and articulating concepts in your own words, you deepen your understanding and strengthen your memory, making it easier to recall information during the exam[1][3].
Implementing Self-Explanation in Your SAT Study
For SAT Math
- Explain problem-solving steps aloud or in writing as if teaching someone else. This reinforces procedural understanding and helps identify gaps in knowledge[1][4].
- Use positive self-talk to build confidence during explanation and practice, reducing anxiety and improving focus[4].
For SAT Reading
- Paraphrase passages and summarize main ideas in your own words to internalize comprehension.
- Explain the rationale behind answers to reading questions, particularly evidence-based ones, clarifying why a choice is correct or incorrect[1].
For SAT Writing
- When reviewing grammar and usage rules, rephrase explanations aloud to cement the concepts.
- Practice explaining why certain sentence constructions or punctuation rules apply, and write out these justifications to reinforce retention[1][3].
Additional Methods
- Teaching learned vocabulary or concepts to a peer or family member reinforces understanding and identifies weak areas[3].
- Writing original sentences using new vocabulary or concepts to contextualize learning actively[3].
- Regular self-assessment via quizzes or practice tests followed by self-explanation of errors solidifies knowledge and promotes metacognitive awareness of learning progress[1].
Tools for Self-Explanation
- The Voice Memos app, Audacity, and Otter.ai can be used to record and review self-explanations.
- Notion, OneNote, and Google Docs can be used as self-explanation journals.
- RevisionDojo and Bluebook offer digital practice tests that can be used for self-explanation.
Self-explanation may take a little extra time, but it makes study sessions far more effective. By turning passive study into active mastery, you'll be better prepared for SAT success[2].
References:
[1] McDaniel, M. A., & Anderson, J. R. (2007). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. Bellevue, WA: Pearson Education.
[2] Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[3] Dunlosky, J., & Rawson, K. A. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58.
[4] Karpicke, J. D., & Blunt, J. R. (2011). Metacognitive strategies in learning: Do they improve educational outcomes? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 12(3), 81-131.
Engaging in self-explanation for education-and-self-development purposes, such as paraphrasing passages, explaining problem-solving steps, or teaching learned concepts to a peer, contributes to personal-growth by strengtheningMemory and enhancing understanding. Additionally, by writing original sentences using new vocabulary or concepts, or recording self-explanations using tools like Voice Memos or Notion, learning becomes more interactive, promoting active mastery and SAT success.
