Incentives and test anxiety may moderate the effect of retrieval on learning

Many studies have shown that retrieval practice improves learning in various settings. Similarly, other studies have shown that offering incentives improves learning, whereas test anxiety inhibits learning. Few studies have examined the possible combined effects of incentives and test anxiety when examining retrieval practice. The current study manipulated incentives between subjects and test anxiety within subjects. Interestingly, combining incentives with retrieval practice was not optimal. Establishing such boundary effects may help to identify best practices when using retrieval practice.