A Brain Hack (of sorts) for Exams and Tests - College Info Geek

Thomas Frank
3 Dec 201506:01

Summary

TLDRThis video script discusses the effectiveness of changing exam answers when unsure. Contradicting the 'First-Instinct Fallacy,' it introduces a new method: rating confidence in answers on a scale of 1-5. This technique leverages metacognition, the ability to analyze one's own thinking, to make better-informed decisions on whether to revise answers. The script highlights a study by Justin Couchman, which found that confidence ratings were more accurate predictors of success than post-exam beliefs, suggesting that tracking confidence can help students make more intelligent revisions and potentially achieve better grades.

Takeaways

  • 📚 The 'First-Instinct Fallacy' suggests that changing an answer you're unsure of on an exam is often the better choice.
  • 🔄 New scientific data can overturn previous advice, prompting a reconsideration of the 'go with your gut' approach.
  • 🔑 A new method is proposed: rate your confidence in each answer on a scale of 1 to 5 immediately after answering.
  • 🧠 This technique leverages 'metacognition', the ability to think about one's own thinking and analyze personal beliefs and decisions.
  • 🐒 Research on Rhesus monkeys showed they could accurately judge their confidence, indicating metacognitive abilities are not exclusive to humans.
  • 👨‍🎓 A study by Justin Couchman and colleagues revealed that students often misjudge their exam performance.
  • 🤔 The human metacognitive process is imperfect and can be influenced by cognitive biases and heuristics.
  • 🧐 Memory unreliability affects metacognitive abilities, especially when analyzing thoughts from the past.
  • 📉 In a study, students who rated their confidence on a binary scale (Guess or Known) found revisions were often correct.
  • 📈 A second study using a 1-5 scale showed initial answers were more often correct, suggesting confidence tracking can improve decision-making.
  • 📈 Assigning a confidence score to each answer can help intelligently decide whether to revise an answer and potentially improve grades.

Q & A

  • What was the original advice given about changing answers on exams?

    -The original advice was to go with your gut, based on the idea that your first instinct is usually correct.

  • What is the First-Instinct Fallacy mentioned in the video?

    -The First-Instinct Fallacy refers to the misconception that sticking with your initial answer on exams is always better, whereas research shows that changing uncertain answers can often lead to correct outcomes.

  • What new technique does the video suggest for making decisions during exams?

    -The new technique involves rating your confidence in each answer on a scale of one to five immediately after answering, to help decide whether to change your answer later.

  • What is metacognition and how does it relate to the advice given in the video?

    -Metacognition is the ability to think about one’s own thinking, including analyzing beliefs and decisions. It helps students evaluate their confidence in their answers, leading to better decision-making during exams.

  • What did the research with Rhesus monkeys show about metacognition?

    -The research showed that Rhesus monkeys could judge their confidence and indicate when they didn’t know an answer, suggesting that they have metacognitive abilities similar to humans.

  • Why is metacognition considered imperfect?

    -Metacognition is imperfect because our memories are unreliable, and our ability to analyze past thoughts and decisions decays over time, making it less effective when trying to judge old thoughts.

  • What were the results of Couchman's first human study on metacognition?

    -In the first study, students were more likely to correct their answers accurately if they initially marked them as guesses, and revisions generally improved performance.

  • What change was made in the second study and what was its outcome?

    -In the second study, instead of a binary Guess/Known system, participants rated their confidence on a 1-5 scale. The results showed that initial answers were often more accurate than revisions.

  • How does confidence tracking improve decision-making during exams?

    -By assigning a confidence score immediately after answering a question, students can use their brain’s metacognitive abilities at their peak, improving the accuracy of decisions on whether to revise an answer.

  • What are the two key findings from the metacognitive studies mentioned in the video?

    -First, post-exam beliefs are poor predictors of performance. Second, metacognitive tracking during the exam is a more accurate predictor of success and can help guide answer revisions more effectively.

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Exam ConfidenceRevision TipsMetacognitionStudy TechniquesAcademic SuccessPsychology InsightsStudent AdviceEducational ResearchCognitive BiasGrade Improvement
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