Active Recall

Active recall describes the process of retrieving a specific memory from your mind.

It is often used in the context of learning techniques where it’s a principle of efficient learning which has proven to be highly effective in stimulating the retaining of information. As the name suggests, it means remembering by straining or stimulating your mind.

It contrasts with passive review, in which the learning material is processed passively (e.g. by reading, watching, etc.). For example, reading a text about George Washington, with no further action, is a passive review. Answering the question “Who was the first US President?” is active recall.