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FE Electrical | PE Power | Studying Technique: Spaced Repetition

FE Electrical | PE Power | Studying Technique: Spaced Repetition

Published: Dec 2, 2025

Spaced repetition is commonly applied in contexts in which a learner must acquire many items and retain them indefinitely in memory.

What is Spaced Repetition?

Do you ever find yourself reading the same concept or piece of info over and over again hoping that it’ll stick? Or do you believe that the best way to make sure you don’t forget something is immediate repetition?

Well, you might be surprised to find that that conventional advice is a little inaccurate. In actuality, the best way to remember is to first let yourself begin to forget, and then relearn periodically. Today, you’ll be learning about a technique known as spaced repetition that will help you in your FE Electrical exam preparation and PE Power Exam preparation.

Forgetting

CBT format - FE Exam Tips - spaced repetition

Image Source: Independent News Today

When you first learn something, your brain steadily begins to forget this information. But if you review it a day or two later, the forgetting is a lot slower. This forgetting gradient continues to decrease if you review again 3-4 days later and continue to increase the interval.

So if you’re having trouble getting that new formula or concept to stick, try reviewing it a day after, and then 3 days after, and so on. A good way to keep track of information to review later on is to use apps such as Anki that utilize Spaced Repetition on their own.

Mastering Spaced Repetition Across Subjects

Spaced repetition shines when memorizing information, but its power extends beyond a single subject. Here’s how to tailor spaced repetition for different learning domains:

Science & Engineering

Focus: Mastering formulas, key concepts, and scientific terminology.
Card Design:
- Front: State the variable or concept you must recall (e.g., “What is the formula for kinetic energy?”).
- Back: Include the formula (KE = 1/2mv²) and briefly explain its meaning (energy of motion).
Example: Use spaced repetition to memorize physics equations, chemical formulas, or biological processes.

History & Literature

Focus: Remembering key dates, figures, and literary quotes.
Card Design:
- Front: Present a historical event or a literary work (e.g., “Who signed the Declaration of Independence?”).
- Back: Please provide the answer (The United States Founding Fathers) with additional details, such as the year or significance of the event.
Example: Spaced repetition can help solidify essential historical dates, literary characters, and their traits, or famous quotes from classic works.

Languages

Focus: Building vocabulary, verb conjugations, and grammar rules.
Card Design:
- Front: Present the foreign word you want to learn (e.g., “House” in Spanish).
- Back: Include the translation (“Casa”) along with pronunciation aids (phonetics or audio recordings) and example sentences demonstrating usage.
Example: Spaced repetition is a fantastic tool for actively memorizing new vocabulary, verb tenses, and grammatical structures in a foreign language.

Making Connections

Challenge Yourself: Don’t just focus on isolated facts. Spaced repetition allows you to create connections between concepts, strengthening understanding and long-term retention.
- For Science: Link formulas to real-world applications.
- For History: Explore cause-and-effect relationships between events.
- For Languages: Create flashcards that showcase how vocabulary relates to grammar structures.

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Crafting Powerful Flashcards for Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a memory champion’s secret weapon. But to truly unlock its potential, you need high-quality flashcards. Here’s how to craft cards that go beyond rote memorization and promote deep understanding:

The Art of the Question: The front of your card is prime real estate. Avoid vague prompts like “Define photosynthesis.” Instead, use straightforward, concise questions that stimulate recall: “What process uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose in plants?” This format encourages active retrieval, pulling the answer from your memory and strengthening the learning pathway.

Explanation is Key: The back of your card isn’t just for answers. It’s an opportunity to solidify your understanding. Don’t settle for one-word answers. Provide detailed explanations that unpack the concept: “Photosynthesis is a series of chemical reactions that convert light energy into usable energy for plants. Plants use this energy to create glucose, which fuels their growth.”

Challenge Yourself: Spaced repetition thrives on pushing your memory just enough. As you progress through your deck, consider adding a challenge to your card. This could be: * A related question that prompts you to apply the concept differently. * A comparison between similar concepts to solidify the distinction between them. * An example of a real-world application of the concept you’re learning.

Visual Aids for Visual Learners: Not everyone learns the same way. Images and diagrams can be incredibly effective for visual learners. Include relevant pictures or diagrams on the back of your cards to enhance understanding. For instance, a diagram illustrating the different stages of photosynthesis can significantly boost recall compared to text alone.

Following these tips, you can transform your flashcards from passive reminders into active learning tools. Spaced repetition and well-crafted cards become a powerful engine for long-term knowledge retention.

Wasim Asghar - P.E, P.ENG, M.ENG

Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.