Practice exams as a form of retrieval practice have a proven track record for improving student performance in formal exams. Yet, only about 60% of students in Anatomy & Physiology I and II courses took the practice exams when they were offered as no-stakes practice exams. Changing them to low-stakes practice exams increased the percentage of students taking the practice exams to almost 100%. However, the class averages on the actual exams and the overall grades in the courses did not improve because low performing students took the practice exams usually just before the exam date to earn the points.
