Interleaving[1] is the best approach as far as Mathematics is concerned.

[pullquote]There is minimum threshold period required for any concept to be accepted by brain. You sow a seed. If you give it water and nutrition continuously day in and day out, will it sprout faster ? No. There is a minimum gestation period which is necessary for it to get sprouted.[/pullquote]

  • You mix topics. so you are NOT bored by monotonous nature of maths.
  • There is minimum threshold period required for any concept to be accepted by brain. You sow a seed. If you give it water and nutrition continuously day in and day out, will it sprout faster ? No. There is a minimum gestation period which is necessary for it to get sprouted. Hence it is better to sow many seeds in succession rather than pouring all your resources on one seed.
  • When you start a concept and then leave it unfinished, a scientific effect called Zeigarnick effect [2]comes into play. According to this effect, unfinished task is always active in our mind. Thus mixing topics helps you gain access to the natural tendencies of your mind also.

[pullquote]When you mix few topics or chapters, you are forcing your mind to switch from one topic to another. In the process mind is forced to create links between topics and chapters.[/pullquote]

  • When you mix few topics or chapters, you are forcing your mind to switch from one topic to another. In the process mind is forced to create links between topics and chapters. This is what is required in most competitive exams now.
  • Start two or three chapters in one go. Finish one small topic and then jump to another chapter and finish one more and so on. Do not jump before finishing a concept.

Footnotes

[1] The Interleaving Effect: Mixing It Up Boosts Learning

[2] Zeigarnik Effect