We all want a better memory. Wouldn't it be nice to actually remember what you read? Well there is a secret that you can use to help you remember what you read, and it's easy to do. The secret lies in something called active recall and the testing effect.
Active recall is an important principle to understand if you want to improve the efficiency of learning. (and we do!) It is is when you actively stimulate memory during the learning process. The opposite of active recall is passive review, where the material is processed passively by simply reading, watching, listening, etc.
So if you were reading an article about nutrition, with no further action, that would be a passive review. If at the end of the article you answered the question, "What are the four basic food groups?", that would be active recall.
That is the reason school textbooks have questions at the end of each chapter. Answering questions "stimulates memory" and greatly increases your chances of retaining what you just read. Active recall is much more beneficial for long-term memory. Reading before an exam, would not leave a stronger long-lasting memory unless the recalling process is stimulated.
The principal of active recall is present is the testing effect. The testing effect refers to improved memory that comes from the act of retrieving information, as compared to simply reading or hearing the information. The effect is also sometimes referred to as "retrieval practice" or "test-enhanced learning".
So do you want to remember more of what you read? Try this. At the end of an article or book chapter, ask yourself a few questions or just try to recall the main points and facts about what you just read. You'll see for yourself how much it helps.
By the way, what are active recall and the testing effect? 
