Definition
Pretesting is the practice of attempting to answer questions about new material before it has been taught, even when errors are expected.
Why it matters
Pretesting activates prior knowledge, exposes specific gaps, and primes the brain to encode the upcoming instruction more deeply.
Scientific basis
Studies of pretesting show that even unsuccessful attempts produce better later learning than reading the material passively first.
How to apply it
- Before reading a chapter, write down everything you already know about the topic.
- Before watching a tutorial, attempt the first exercise cold.
- Use pre-quizzes from the textbook to surface questions you want answered.
Common mistakes
- Skipping pretesting because attempts feel too uncertain.
- Confusing pretesting with graded assessment and refusing to be wrong.
- Pretesting without following up to fill the gaps it exposes.
Examples
- A student writing five questions about a topic before reading about it.
- A learner attempting a foreign-language sentence in their head before seeing the translation.
Related concepts
- Prior Knowledge as Foundation (is a foundation for)
Pretesting activates prior knowledge that new learning will attach to. - Retrieval Practice (complements)
Pretesting is retrieval applied to material you have not yet learned.
Where it shows up
Domains: student-learning, teaching. Appears in the Test & Assessment cluster alongside 2 other concepts.
Source books
- Make It Stick: Brown, Roediger & McDaniel
Articles that use this concept (1)
- Pretesting Before a Chapter Beats Reading It Twice: pretesting effect