Massed practice is typically characterized by which pattern?

• A. Long, interrupted practice blocks with frequent rest
• B. High frequency of varied tasks
• C. Short, repetitive practice with long breaks
• D. Long, continuous blocks with little or no rest

Answer: (D)

Massed practice involves practicing in long, uninterrupted blocks with little or no rest between repetitions. The option that describes long, continuous blocks with minimal breaks matches this pattern exactly, which is why it’s the best choice. This approach concentrates practice time and repetition into a single or few sessions, unlike distributed practice, which spreads practice into shorter blocks with more breaks. While massed practice can lead to quick short-term gains, it often brings fatigue and can reduce long-term retention compared to strategies that space practice out.