The Science of Spaced Repetition: Remember More, Study Less
Learn how the spacing effect can dramatically improve your retention of certification material, and how to implement it in your study routine.
Why You Forget (And How to Fix It)
Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the "forgetting curve" in 1885: without review, we forget approximately 70% of new information within 24 hours. This is why cramming before an exam produces poor long-term retention.
Spaced repetition is the antidote to the forgetting curve.
How Spaced Repetition Works
Instead of reviewing material once or twice before an exam, spaced repetition schedules reviews at increasing intervals. You review new or difficult material more frequently, and familiar material less often. The intervals are optimized based on how well you know each piece of information.
The SM-2 Algorithm
NexusGRC Academy uses a modified version of the SM-2 algorithm, originally developed by Piotr Wozniak. After each flashcard review, you rate your confidence. The algorithm adjusts the next review date accordingly:
- Confident answers extend the interval
- Struggling answers shorten the interval
- Completely forgotten items reset to the beginning
Implementing Spaced Repetition for Certification Study
Step 1: Create flashcards for key definitions, frameworks, and concepts as you study each domain.
Step 2: Review due cards daily — even 15 minutes of spaced repetition practice is highly effective.
Step 3: Trust the algorithm. Resist the urge to review cards that are not yet due.
Step 4: Combine spaced repetition with active recall — always try to answer before flipping the card.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Students using spaced repetition consistently outperform those using traditional study methods. Research shows a 30-50% improvement in long-term retention compared to massed practice.