Studies show that many students do a poor job of studying (Miller, 2017). Quite a few just scan the readings again or cram the night before a test in hopes that the information will last until the next day. But neither strategy is especially effective. The best strategy for preparing for a test is to use spaced retrieval practice which involves answering questions about the course content at intervals. This forces the student to draw the information out of their long-term memory. Not only does this reinforce the information—essentially hardening it to make it easier to produce in the future—but it also mimics the exam experience where the student needs it. Retrieval practice is analogous to a batter practicing by hitting balls in a batting cage, while rereading is a bit analogous to watching another batter practice.
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I have been using Kahoot for some time and students like it. New features include a kahoot challenge, designed more for individual play – that can be untimed. I hear there is a new feature to be available this fall as well.
I also use Socrative (paired with the Socrative student app) for in class mini quizzes of five questions. Students fell as though they are getting “inside my head”