An Ecologically Valid Study of the Testing Effect across Academic Disciplines: A Focus on Higher- vs. Lower-Level Learning

Past research indicates that the testing effect is an effective tool to improve memory and retention and academic performance, however, very few studies have investigated the effects across academic disciplines with a focus on higher- vs. lower-level learning. Therefore, in the current study, we sought to examine whether the testing effect occurs across multiple academic disciplines in higher education (e.g., psychology, criminal justice, modern languages, and industrial design). Second, we aimed to determine if the testing effect differentially affects the level of learning between higher versus lower-level questions. Our results indicate students greatly benefit from test enhanced learning across multiple academic disciplines and that test enhanced learning significantly increases both higher- and lower-level thinking. Our study further demonstrated the utility and effectiveness of test enhanced learning in the college and university classroom.