The reason you have tests in school isn't only to gauge how well you've mastered the subject matter; it's also for you to keep on learning. And this doesn't only apply to students, but also to those who have long graduated from school. A recent study on ScienceDaily.com says that adults of all ages learn more when they are tested.

Adults of different ages were recruited by experts led by study author Ashley Meyer, a cognitive psychologist from the Houston Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence. The volunteers included 60 college students from ages 18 to 25, 60 younger adults from ages 18 to 25, and 60 older adults from ages 55 to 65. After taking an intelligence test, the participants were given 15 minutes to read materials about the following topics: tsunamis, armadillos, the human heart, and black holes. As a distraction, they were asked to complete a few math problems before they answered a multiple choice exam about two of the four topics they read about. They were immediately given feedback about their scores.

Results showed that adults of different ages who were tested and given feedback on their performance improved their retention, especially if they did both on the same day. Although some of the older participants showed signs of memory problems, they still managed to show an improved performance on the last test as compared to the first.

Testing isn't just about answering questions on a sheet of paper--it can also be going through a dry run of a report or a presentation you are about to give. Before any major event that calls for you to speak in front of a crowd or to answer inquiries, review, and try thinking of possible questions that your audience may throw at you. Better yet, get a friend to help you out. Practice makes perfect, and in this case, it even helps you learn more.

(Photo by Alberto G. via Flickr Creative Commons)