Which intervals are typical for spaced repetition schedules when preparing for an upcoming exam?

• A. 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks
• B. 1 day, 3 days, 1 week
• C. 2 days, 4 days, 1 week
• D. 1 month, 2 months, 3 months

Answer: (B)

Spaced repetition works by spacing reviews so that you try to recall just as you’re about to forget, which strengthens long-term memory. For an upcoming exam, starting with a quick review the day after you first study helps reinforce the new material while it’s still fresh. Then revisiting a few days later gives your retrieval another challenge before forgetting becomes likely, and a session about a week later serves as a final reinforce as the test approaches. This pattern of short intervals followed by longer gaps is effective for building durable recall in time for an exam.

The sequence with a first review after one day, then three days, and then one week aligns with that approach, offering an initial rapid consolidation, a mid-range reinforcement, and a near-term refresher. Other options tend to start too late or space reviews too far apart for an imminent exam, which makes it easier to forget material you still need to recall.