Spaced Repetition vs. Massed Practice: Why Our Algorithm Delivers Lasting Knowledge

Ever crammed for a math test all night, only to forget everything a week later? 🤯 That's because cramming, or massed practice, is one of the worst ways to create long-term memories.

There's a much smarter way. It's a scientifically proven technique called Spaced Repetition, and it's the secret sauce in the Matiks learning algorithm. It's the difference between watering a plant with a firehose once (cramming) and giving it the right amount of water every few days to grow deep roots. 🌱

Why Cramming (Massed Practice) Fails

When you drill the same type of problem over and over, you create an "illusion of mastery." Your short-term memory gets good at the task, but the knowledge never transfers to your long-term memory. This is explained by the Forgetting Curve: we forget things exponentially unless we review them. Cramming is a losing battle against this curve.

How Matiks' Spaced Repetition Works ✅

Our algorithm acts as your personal memory coach, bringing back concepts just as you're about to forget them.

1. Learn a Concept: You encounter a new puzzle type and learn how to solve it. An initial memory is formed.
2. Interrupt the Forgetting: Before you can completely forget it, the Matiks algorithm shows you that puzzle type again—maybe the next day. This review interrupts the Forgetting Curve and tells your brain, "Hey, this is important!"
3. Expand the Intervals: Once you get it right, the algorithm waits longer before showing it to you again—maybe in 3 days, then a week, then a month. 🗓️ Each time you successfully retrieve the memory, it becomes stronger and more permanent.
4. Intelligent and Adaptive: If you get a review problem wrong, the system knows to shorten the interval, giving you another chance to reinforce the concept sooner.

We also use interleaving—mixing up different problem types—to force your brain to work harder at retrieving information. This method ensures that the knowledge you gain in Matiks isn't just for tomorrow's test; it's for life.