07 Check What You Remember with Active Recall

What Is Active Recall?

Choose [Active Recall] from the mode row
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┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Active Recall    [× Exit]                                  │
│ ──────────────────────────────────────────────             │
│ Check what I remember without looking.  [Tier icon] [Send] │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

The selected mode and any progress information appear at the top of the white message box, above a thin divider. If there is no conversation history, you will see icons, brief instructions, and an example. Select About this mode to ask the AI for an explanation. To switch modes, select × and choose another one.

With the headings and sentences in front of you, a tutorial can seem clear. Try putting it aside and explaining the idea again. You may find that the steps are hard to remember, or that a distinction you recognized is difficult to put into words.

Active Recall starts with a small topic you have already studied. Try answering a question about it on your own. Check the answer and fill any gaps. Then put the answer aside and have another go.

Choose a topic you have studied → Answer without looking
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Read feedback and fill gaps → Hide the answer and try again

If a topic is new to you, read the tutorial or use Guided Study first, then try recalling it.

Choose a Topic to Recall

You can recall a concept, a process, or the difference between two approaches.

For example, in a science course, “Recall the whole course” is too broad. Narrow it to:

Without looking at the material, explain the difference between evaporation and condensation.

After choosing Active Recall, ask the AI to select a topic or specify what you want to review.

Try an Answer

When you see the question, answer in your own words and focus on the core meaning.

For example, you might answer:

Evaporation is water turning into water vapor. Condensation is water vapor turning into water.

The AI checks what you mean. If your answer needs more detail, it might ask what change usually happens to water vapor when it condenses.

You could add:

Water vapor can condense into droplets when it cools.

If nothing comes to mind, you can ask for help: “Give me a hint to get started,” an example, or a sample answer. When you look back at the attempt, remember which help you used. Answering after a hint shows what that hint helped you do; trying first without help checks what you can recall independently.

Try Again After Feedback

After filling the gaps, try again. The AI checks the same point with fewer hints, a different question, or a small scenario.

For example:

Are the droplets on the outside of a cold drink bottle an example of evaporation or condensation?

You could answer “Condensation”: water vapor in the air cools against the bottle and turns into droplets. You have now used the idea in a new situation.

Hide the previous answer and explain the idea in your own words to check what you remember.

If the material still feels unclear, return to reading or ask for an explanation before trying recall again.

Review Later

Your answer shows what you could recall on this attempt, with or without help. To see what remains after some time has passed, come back and review it again.

You choose when to review. When you return to this mode, say “Review that distinction from earlier,” or specify the item you want to review.

Correct flashcard answers are counted separately. To work through a series of short questions and complete the chapter's required practice, choose Flashcards.

Useful Requests

Start with what you remember, even if it is brief. Use the feedback to see what is missing and work on those gaps.

Use Q&A when recall exposes an unclear concept. For a series of short practice questions, switch to Flashcards.