What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a learning method where you review material at increasingly longer intervals. A new word comes back tomorrow, for example, then in a few days, then in a week, and so on. Each time you get it right, the next review can be further in the future.
The idea goes back to the forgetting curve described by the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the late 19th century: shortly after learning something, you forget quickly. Every time you retrieve the information at the right moment, you forget more slowly. This spacing effect has since been confirmed in countless studies.
Why does it work so well?
- You review at the right moment. Not too early (wasted time) and not too late (already forgotten).
- You focus on what you don’t know yet. Cards you find easy come back less often, so your time goes to your weak spots.
- You actively retrieve. Because flashcards make you come up with the answer first, spaced repetition is combined with active recall — two of the best-supported learning strategies.
- No more last-minute cramming. By reviewing a little every day, the material sticks long before the exam.
How spaced repetition works in Flipeezy
In Flipeezy, choose Spaced repetition mode when you study. You then only see the cards that are due today. After each card you rate yourself:
- Again — you didn’t know it. The card comes back tomorrow.
- Good — you knew it. The interval gets longer (roughly ×2, ×4, …).
- Easy — you knew it straight away. The card is postponed even further.
Behind the scenes Flipeezy uses an algorithm based on SM-2, the well-known algorithm behind many flashcard apps. It tracks how easy each card is for you and uses that to calculate when you should see it again. So you don’t have to keep track of anything: open the app and the right cards are waiting.
Because progress is tracked per user, this also works for shared boards: if your class studies the same board, everyone gets their own review schedule.
Tips to get the most out of spaced repetition
- Review a little every day. Ten minutes a day gets you further than an hour on Sunday.
- Be honest with yourself. Did you hesitate? Choose Again. The algorithm only works if your rating is accurate.
- Add new cards gradually. Every new card creates reviews later on. Start with a handful of new cards a day and build up.
- Keep cards small. One question, one answer. You can’t honestly rate a card with five facts as “Good”. Read our tips for making good flashcards.
- Mix up the modes. Use multiple choice to explore new material and type mode to check that you really know the answer.
Spaced repetition for languages
Vocabulary is the textbook example of material spaced repetition was made for: lots of separate items you need to remember for a long time. Learning a language? Read how to learn vocabulary with flashcards, or let the AI turn your course PDF into flashcards so you can start reviewing right away.