Interleaving

Interleaving is the hardest technique but yields the highest test score gains, with a 43% improvement over blocked practice in math. A 2014 study found that interleaving improved test scores by 43% compared to blocked practice, outperforming #2 Active Recall in mixed-problem assessments. Instead of practicing one type of problem until you master it, mix different topics and problem types in a single study session. It feels harder and slower — students consistently rate it as less effective even when it produces better results, with a 25% increase in problem-solving transfer to real-world scenarios. The mechanism: interleaving forces your brain to continuously select the right strategy, building discrimination skills that reduce error rates by 35% on comprehensive exams.