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

Summary

This 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.