Free recall asks you to produce the answer yourself, saying the meaning or the word, before anything is shown. Recalling without options in front of you is the strongest kind of practice, which is why there are no answer buttons.
How it works
- Read the prompt.
- Answer out loud or in your head.
- Press Done to reveal the answer.
- Compare it with what you said.
- Rate yourself honestly.
The rating schedules the next review, so an honest miss teaches more than a generous pass.
The four ratings
| Rating | Meaning | Next review |
|---|---|---|
| Miss | Didn't come back | Returns later this session and again soon |
| Slow | Got there, took a moment | Sooner than usual |
| Steady | Normal pace | Usual schedule |
| Fast | Instant | Moves further out |
With the timer on
- The countdown bounds your recall.
- Done stops the clock and reveals the answer.
- The same four ratings close the item.
- If the clock runs out first, the answer appears anyway and it counts as a miss. Nothing to rate: press Continue and it comes back sooner.