Alex slouched in the back row of the campus library, staring at their laptop screen. Third cup of coffee, 2 AM, and today’s (!) midterm looming.
"I've been reading these chapters for hours," they muttered, rubbing their tired eyes. "Why isn't anything sticking?"
Next to them, their friend Jamie was somehow looking... calm?
"Hey, what's your secret?" Alex whispered. "I've read everything like five times but it feels like my brain is just getting mushier."
Jamie grinned and turned their screen to show “Quiz Me’ a tool that helped him study with with... multiple choice questions? "No way," Alex laughed. "Those are what we're trying to prepare FOR, not how we study!"
"Trust me," Jamie said. "This changed everything for me last semester. Want to know how?"
The secret weapon you're not using (yet!)
Turns out Jamie was onto something big.
Those multiple-choice questions we usually save for test day? They're actually powerful learning tools that can transform how your brain remembers information. And you don't have to wait for exam day to use them to your advantage.
Multiple-choice question quizzes aren’t just for testing - they’re powerful tools to deepen your learning.
When used effectively, MCQs (multiple-choice questions) help you actively retrieve information, handle tricky questions with confidence, and give your brain a workout that sticks.
Here’s how to maximize their potential and get those “aha!” study moments.
The science of why multiple choice questions (MCQs) work
MCQs force your brain to actively recall information instead of passively re-reading notes, strengthening your memory and solidifying what you know. Each time you get a question right, you’re rewarded with a small confidence boost (known as the positive testing effect).
Even if you’re working with that “tip-of-the-tongue” feeling, MCQs encourage you to engage with your knowledge in a more meaningful way, priming you for success in high-stakes exams.
With Glean’s Quiz Me tool, you can take advantage of MCQs for better learning.
Daily, low-stakes quizzing, promotes “desirable difficulty,” where cognitive effort strengthens learning. By attempting challenging questions shortly after lectures, you’ll engage in retrieval practice that consolidates new knowledge more effectively than re-reading notes.
Why this matters: Studies show that desirable difficulty slows down learning in the short term but enhances long-term retention. Think of it as an opportunity to identify what you don’t know and strengthen memory.
Here's the thing about those multiple choice questions we see on every test: they're not just for exams. They're actually a powerful way to learn material – and not in that annoying "one weird trick" kind of way.
How multiple choice questions actually help your brain
Think about it like this: Reading your notes is like watching someone cook on YouTube. Taking practice questions is like actually getting in the kitchen and trying the recipe yourself.
Here's what happens when you work with MCQs regularly:
1. Practice right after class
When you take a quick quiz right after learning something new:
- Your brain has to actually recall the information, not just recognize it
- You find out immediately what you didn't quite get
- You can ask questions while the material is fresh
- Even if you get things wrong, you're learning what needs work
2. Learn from wrong answers
Getting questions wrong isn't fun, but it's actually super helpful. When you miss a question:
- Write down what confused you
- Figure out why you thought your answer was right
- Look up the correct answer and really understand it
- You'll probably remember it better next time because you solved the mystery yourself
3. Pay attention to all answer choices
Those other answer choices aren't just there to distract you. They usually show common mix-ups that trip up lots of students. For each question:
- Read all the options (even after you think you know the answer)
- Figure out why the wrong answers are wrong
- This helps you understand the whole concept, not just memorize one right answer
4. Give your brain time to process
Try this… take a practice quiz, but don't check the answers right away. Instead:
- Wait a day
- Try to remember what you answered
- Then check if you were right
- This helps build stronger memories than immediate checking
5. Study with others
Working with classmates makes everything clearer:
- Take turns explaining answers
- Share those "ohhhh, now I get it" moments
- Learn from how other people think about the material
Simple ways to start
- After each class:
- Make up 3-5 questions about what you just learned
- Find practice questions in your textbook
- Quiz yourself while it's still fresh
- Throughout the week:
- Focus on the topics that confused you in class
- Keep track of areas you need to review in more detail
- With your study group:
- Share questions you've created
- Explain answers to each other
- Figure out tricky concepts together
Note: if you don’t have a study group, you can join the Glean Student Ambassador program, where you can meet other students and buddy up for better learning!
Real talk
That night in the library wasn't Alex's last late-night study session, but it was the beginning of studying differently. By the end of the semester, Alex was spending less time staring at their notes and more time actually understanding them.
You don't need special study skills or a perfect memory. Just start small – even 10 minutes of practice questions after class can make a difference.
Your future self (especially during finals week) will thank you.
Remember: Every expert started as a beginner. You've got this!
And next time you review your notes, say it loud, say it proud: Quiz Me! ✨
