A linguist creates a spaced repetition schedule where review intervals double each time. If the first review is at 1 day, the second at 2 days, the third at 4 days, and so on, on which day does the 6th review occur?

Sun, 03 May 2026 22:49:16 +0000

**Why This Doubling Pattern Is Gaining Momentum in Language Learning and Memory Science** In recent years, a learning strategy rooted in cognitive psychology has quietly grown a following among language enthusiasts, educators, and memory researchers: a spaced repetition schedule with exponentially increasing review intervals. If the first session is set at 1 day, the second follows 2 days later, the third 4 days, the fourth 8, and so on—doubling each time—this method aligns with principles shown to boost long-term retention. Its sudden traction on mobile platforms and explainers in the US suggests people are transforming how they study, remember new languages, and internalize complex information. What’s behind this curve? Cognitive science supports spaced repetition as a powerful tool. Revisiting material at increasing intervals helps combat forgetting by reinforcing neural pathways just before they fade. The doubling pattern naturally structures review cycles to match this rhythm—minimizing cognitive overload while maximizing durability of knowledge. For someone learning a new language, dynamically stretching time between reviews allows for deeper encoding, especially as vocabulary and grammar build. The exact timing of the sixth review reveals the pattern’s efficiency. Starting at 1, doubling each step:
1st: Day 1
2nd: +2 → Day 2
3rd: +4 → Day 4
4th: +8 → Day 12 (4+8)
5th: +16 → Day 28 (12+16)
6th: +32 → Day 60 (28+32)