Why Quizzes Are More Effective Than Re-reading: Help Your Child Learn More in Less Time
Why reading again and again isn’t working
It’s the end of a long school day, and your child has a test coming up. They’re sitting at the kitchen table, textbook in hand, reading the same page for the third—maybe fourth—time. You watch them, hoping the words are sinking in. But deep down, you can tell they’re not retaining much. Maybe they’re zoning out or getting increasingly frustrated. You’re not alone if this feels familiar.
Re-reading is often the default study method kids gravitate toward. It feels productive, it’s easy to do, and for a stressed-out child, it seems less intimidating than taking a test. But here’s the hard truth: for most kids, especially those aged 6 to 12 who struggle with focus, learning difficulties, or school-related anxiety, re-reading is one of the least effective ways to study.
The science behind learning that sticks
Here’s what research tells us: active recall is significantly more effective than passive review (like re-reading). Active recall means trying to remember information without immediately seeing it—in other words, self-testing. When children use quizzes to retrieve knowledge from memory, it strengthens brain connections far more effectively than simply reading the material again.
In fact, studies show that students who quiz themselves regularly perform up to 50% better on tests than those who don’t. It’s not just about memorizing facts—it’s about training the brain to recall and apply them under pressure. And with kids who easily forget what they’ve learned due to distractions or learning differences, this practice is even more essential. (Read more about why kids forget so fast—and how to help.)
What happens when kids take quizzes
Let’s imagine a different scenario. Instead of re-reading textbook pages, your child is answering a series of short, interactive quiz questions about the material they just covered. There’s instant feedback. When they get an answer right, their confidence grows. When they get something wrong, it’s a chance to learn—not a punishment. Suddenly, schoolwork doesn’t feel like an endless loop. It feels more like a game they’re getting better at.
One mom I recently spoke with began printing out 5-question mini quizzes for her daughter to do after homework sessions. Over a few weeks, she saw a major shift. Her daughter complained less, remembered more, and started scoring higher on her spelling and science tests. "It’s like her brain finally knew what to do with the information," she told me.
Personalized quizzes make all the difference
Of course, not all quizzes help equally. The key is aligning quiz content with your child’s exact learning material—especially for younger learners who already feel overwhelmed. That’s where personalization really shines. Instead of generic worksheets, imagine turning a photo of your child’s actual lesson into a custom quiz tailored just for them.
This is precisely the kind of thing that tools like the Sculi App do. With just a snap of a worksheet or textbook page, the app automatically builds an engaging 20-question quiz customized to your child’s level. It’s quick, it’s focused, and it takes the guesswork out of studying.
If your child struggles with engagement or motivation, quizzes also give them a sense of visible progress. One correct answer at a time, they see themselves mastering a topic. That little boost in confidence? It adds up. (Here’s how to help your child find motivation again.)
But my child hates quizzes…
You might be thinking: "My child already has test anxiety. Why would I add more quizzes?" It's a valid concern—and the answer lies in how we present them.
When quizzes are reframed as low-stakes, fun challenges—where mistakes are safe and even encouraged as part of learning—they become empowering, not intimidating. You’re not grading them. You’re guiding them. The tone you set matters greatly. Position quizzes as team activities or even mini-games. Consider offering small breaks or rewards after each set to keep the momentum going.
If your child finds reading difficult or becomes discouraged easily, you can even start with audio versions or adaptive formats. (Explore fun, low-pressure ways to review schoolwork.)
How to start using quiz-based learning at home
Transitioning from re-reading to a quiz-based study habit doesn’t require a major overhaul. Here’s how to gently build the routine, even if your evenings already feel stretched:
- Pick one subject your child feels confident in to begin with—start with success.
- Create or find 5 simple questions based on today’s homework. Make them fun (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, or silly answers included).
- Sit together and go through the quiz. Reflect on answers and praise effort, not just correctness.
- Over time, let your child take the lead, even creating their own questions for YOU to answer (a sneaky way to reinforce their learning).
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: you don’t have to do all of this alone. There are smart tools that can lighten the load. (Here’s a guide on making custom quizzes easily.)
Final thoughts for tired parents
At the heart of every quiz is a simple truth: learning isn’t about moving faster, it’s about remembering longer. Re-reading feels safe to kids—but it can also keep them stuck. When kids challenge their brains to recall, even in small bursts, they’re doing the hard work that leads to real, lasting understanding.
You don’t need to be a teacher to help your child get there. Just start small, replace one re-reading session this week with a quiz, and see what happens. More often than not, you’ll witness something shift: a spark of confidence, a smile of realization, or even just a little less stress at the kitchen table.
Keep showing up, even on the hard days. You’re building something more important than perfect grades—you’re helping your child learn how to learn. And that skill will serve them for life.
Not sure if your child is struggling more than others? Here's how to spot the signs—and what to do about it.