Built on peer-reviewed science
Cue isn't based on learning fads or intuition. Every feature is grounded in decades of cognitive science research. Here's the evidence.
Active Recall
The Critical Importance of Retrieval for Learning
Students who studied a text once and were tested three times recalled 61% more material after one week than those who re-studied the text three times.
Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying
Retrieval practice produced 50% greater retention on a final test compared to elaborative studying with concept maps, even though students predicted concept mapping would be more effective.
Test-Enhanced Learning: Taking Memory Tests Improves Long-Term Retention
Taking a memory test not only assesses what one knows, but also enhances later retention, a phenomenon known as the testing effect.
Spaced Repetition
A new algorithm for optimizing spaced repetition scheduling
The FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler) algorithm predicts memory stability with significantly higher accuracy than the SM-2 algorithm used by Anki, reducing required reviews by up to 38%.
Spacing Effects in Learning: A Temporal Riddle
Distributing practice over time (spaced practice) consistently produces substantially better long-term retention than massed practice, regardless of the subject matter.
Using Spaced Practice and Retrieval Practice to Improve Second Language Learning
Spaced practice combined with retrieval produces far superior long-term memory for vocabulary learning compared to massed study, with gains persisting even a month later.
Desirable Difficulty
Making Things Hard on Yourself, But in a Good Way
Introducing difficulties during learning — such as retrieval practice, spacing, and interleaving — slows the apparent rate of learning but dramatically increases long-term retention and transfer.
Interleaving Supports Retention and Transfer: An Overview
Interleaved practice — mixing different topics rather than blocking them — significantly improved both retention and the ability to apply knowledge to new problems, despite feeling harder during learning.
Metacognition & Feedback
The Pretesting Effect: Pretesting Increases Learning
Attempting to answer questions before studying the material — even when answers are wrong — significantly boosted later learning compared to simply reading the material.
The Accuracy of Self-Prediction of Performance
Students consistently overestimate how well they will remember material after re-reading. Active retrieval gives a far more accurate signal of actual retention, correcting this "illusion of knowing".
Real-world Outcomes
Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques
A comprehensive review of 10 learning techniques found practice testing and distributed practice to be the most effective — with high utility across ages, subjects, and ability levels. Highlighting and re-reading rated "low utility".
The Effect of Retrieval Practice on Classroom Learning
Middle school students using retrieval practice in science class scored a full letter grade higher on end-of-semester exams than those who did not, without any additional study time.
See the science in action
Cue applies every one of these principles automatically — so you just have to study.