Overview

Are you just getting started with Membean? Have you been training for a while and need some tips on how to improve your accuracy? This short video and article will provide strategies for how to train effectively on Membean. 

Train Multiple Times Per Week

All of the strategies in this article will be most effective if you train regularly. It is best to train for 15 to 20 minutes on different days throughout the week rather than doing all your minutes on a single day.

When you clump your training, you leave a large gap between sessions, and you forget many words during that time. Also, you're more likely to get tired and distracted if you are training more than 30 minutes in a single day. 

In fact, you will remember more of what you learn if you train 3 days per week for 15 minutes than if you train once per week for 60 minutes, even though you are spending less time training. Yep! You read that right. You can actually learn more by spending less time studying, but only if you space your time right. 

Spend Time Reviewing Words for Questions You Miss

When you miss a question, you are taken to the Word Page to study that word. This is your opportunity to learn more about the word you missed. Learning is an active process; the more you engage with the Word Page, the better you will learn the word.

We use the word Memlet to describe the different parts of the Membean Word Pages.

Here are some tips for reviewing Word Pages effectively.

1. Consider the question type you missed, and study the Memlets that review that information. For example, if you miss a fill-in-the-blank question, review the Context Paragraph and Examples. If you miss a root question, review the Word Ingredients. 

2. Try to learn something new about the word by studying a new Memlet. You may know the word's definition, but are you familiar with the Examples or Related Words? 

3. Make a connection between the word and something else you already know. The more connections you can make to familiar things, the more likely you are to remember the word later. For example, for the word aversion, you may think of a type of food you don't like. If you don't like olives, then you have an aversion to them because they taste bad to you. You may also think about the face you make when you're offered an olive. Those connections will help you remember the word aversion.

4. Spend at least 30 seconds actively studying the Word Page, but remember, spending too much time on a Word Page is not beneficial. Idling on Word Pages may even cause you to get dubious minutes.

Use the Notes Memlet When a Word is Particularly Challenging 

The Notes Memlet lets you take notes on each Word Page. These notes are saved, so you will see them each time you study a Word Page. Access the Notes Memlet by clicking on the notepad next to the word.

The Notes Memlet can be a game changer because it gives you a chance to make a personal connection to the word. This makes the word far more strong and stable. If a word makes you think of an image, event, or person, record that in the Notes Memlet. You can also use the word in a sentence of your own. The more you interact and connect with a word, the more likely it is that you will remember it later.

Use the I'm Not Sure Option

Training is not like test-taking; if you don't know the answer to a question, don't guess, and don't use the process of elimination. When you encounter a question for a word you don't know, you are actually better off missing the question and re-studying the word. This will help strengthen your understanding of the word, which means you are more likely to remember it next time. You will also likely do better on SATA questions when you use the I'm Not Sure option when...well...you aren't sure. 

Worried about your accuracy? As long as you are getting 65 - 70% accuracy, you're doing well! You are being challenged, and you are remembering most of what you learn. 

Need Some Structure? 

One of the great things about Membean is that you control how you learn. However, we know the Word Pages can be intimidating at first. If you're feeling overwhelmed, here's how we like to approach them. Of course, you can customize this approach to meet your needs and preferences. 

Studying a New Word

1. Start with reading or listening to the context paragraph and answer the context question. 

2. Read the definition and study the quick glance definition. 

3. Watch the word theater and pay special attention to any background images.

Studying a Word after Missing a Question

1. Think about why you got the question wrong. Did you make a silly error? Misunderstand the word? Make sure you pause and take a moment to consider what went wrong.

2. Review the Memlet with the information you needed to answer the question that you missed. For example, if you missed a root question, study the Word Ingredients. 

3. Read the definition. 

4. Choose a Memlet to study that you haven't reviewed yet. 

5. If you've already reviewed all the other Memlets, use the Notes Memlet.