How to Use Short Quizzes to Improve Long-Term Memory

Why short quizzes matter more than you think

If your child struggles to remember what they studied just last week—even after long hours over the textbook—you’re not alone. As a parent, it might feel like you’re in a constant loop of reteaching and reminding. But what if I told you that the most powerful memory tool isn't longer study sessions or re-reading notes... it’s quizzing. And not the stressful, pressure-filled kind you're probably picturing. I mean short, low-stress quizzes that become part of your child’s routine.

So many parents tell me: "He knows it at home, then forgets everything on the test." That’s a huge red flag for what's known as passive vs. active learning. Memorizing by reading or even highlighting is passive. Quizzing is active. When we recall, we learn—and we remember longer.

A story from real life: The science fair and a memory breakthrough

Last year, my friend’s daughter, Maya, was preparing for her school’s science fair. She loved experiments, but struggled to retain the terminology: variables, hypotheses, conclusions. Every night, her mom would read over the material with her. Yet come quiz time in class, Maya would freeze. Her mom finally tried something different: she turned the key ideas into three-minute quizzes at the dinner table. “What’s the independent variable in your water-absorption experiment?” “What’s a hypothesis again, sweetie?”

After a week of this, Maya didn’t just remember the words—she used them correctly in spontaneous conversation. That’s when her mom realized: Maya wasn’t just memorizing for school. She was owning the knowledge.

Understanding the memory-quiz connection

Short quizzes activate your child's ability to retrieve information, which is the engine of memory. And the more we retrieve, the sturdier that memory becomes. It’s like walking the same forest path repeatedly until it becomes a clear trail.

Even better, this kind of retrieval doesn’t have to be boring or high-pressure. In fact, the more light-hearted it is, the more likely your child will stay engaged. Research calls this the “testing effect,” but don’t let the name fool you—there are no Scantrons involved.

Here’s why it works:

• Spacing: Distributing low-stakes quizzes over multiple days helps information stick
• Effortful recall: Struggling (a little) to remember something makes retention longer-lasting
• Feedback loop: Immediate clarification deepens understanding

How to turn any lesson into a quiz-worthy moment

The beauty of this approach is that you don’t have to know the material yourself in depth—you just need to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions. And yes, there are plenty of ways to make it work even on chaotic evenings when time is scarce.

Try these:

• Right after homework: Ask your child to “teach” you what they just worked on. Then ask a specific question about it: “Wait—how do we know 3×4 equals 12 again?”
• During transitions: On the way to school or while brushing teeth, toss out a playful quiz: “If today is Monday, what’s six days from now?” “What’s your science vocabulary word of the day?”
• Story-style quizzing: Instead of asking “What’s the capital of France?” say, “You’re on a trip and you land in a city known for croissants and the Eiffel Tower. What is it?” This adds engagement through context.

One parent shared that their son, who adores adventure stories, was finally remembering history facts when they started making up quiz questions as “choose your own adventure” challenges. That taps directly into learning by doing, and also gives them a sense of agency.

Making quizzes doable, not dreadful

The most common concern I hear is: “But quizzes stress my child out.” Totally valid. That’s why tone and delivery matter just as much as content. These quizzes aren’t pop tests. They’re opportunities to play, reflect, and connect. Think of them as curiosity checks—or memory games in disguise.

And you don’t have to prep flashcards or build fancy review sheets (although if you do, here’s how to make them truly effective). A new generation of tools allows you to turn existing lessons into quizzes with just a tap. On particularly hectic days, I’ve used the Sculi App to snap a photo of my daughter’s study sheet, instantly turning it into a tailored quiz we could explore together in five minutes.

This is a powerful example of how tech can extend learning without replacing connection. Whether your child is more visual, auditory, or story-driven, having lots of shuttle-friendly tools helps you keep learning moments light and sustainable.

What consistency—not perfection—looks like

You don’t have to quiz every night. The most impactful changes come from weaving quiz moments into your routine two or three times per week. If that feels doable, start there. Repetition and retrieval don’t happen only through long study sessions. They grow little by little, like watering a plant regularly rather than flooding it once.

If test stress is a concern for your child, pairing this approach with smart test-prep habits can make a big difference—not just on the gradebook, but on confidence and well-being.

And if you're ready to go even further, these home-made review tools might just inspire a whole new way of supporting your child.

Final thoughts: Your child isn’t behind. Their method is.

Sometimes parents ask: "Is my child just not a good learner?" The answer, almost always, is no. More often, the problem isn’t the child—it’s the method. Children aren’t wired for passive absorption. They learn through action, laughter, retrieval, and challenge.

Short quizzes seem so small. But done well, they rewire how your child approaches memory—and mine too. It’s not about drilling. It’s about unlocking recall in a way that respects your child’s energy, personality, and pace.

And for worn-out parents just trying their best, that soulful five-minute dinner-table quiz might just be the secret ingredient you've been looking for all along.