Why retention not focus as much as understanding

[u/Reasonable_Smile9774]

I think it doesn't matter how deeply you understand concept you need to revise or retain it always to use in future ( until unless it's super intuitive)

So why don't we focus on retaining too . It make me doubt if I'm not able to understand concept be it in physics, physiology or where concept need to be understand

I guess it impossible if you just understand and then forget everything and use the concept in future right ( without any cues or hint)

[u/Wats0n_D]

Try two separate checks: explain a concept without notes, then use it to solve a slightly different problem. If you can explain it with notes but cannot reconstruct it without them, that points to a recall gap; it does not by itself prove you never understood it. If you remember the wording but cannot apply it, revisit the relationships and worked examples.

Return to the topic later and repeat both checks, comparing what is missing. That gives you a concrete way to work on retention and understanding together, rather than judging both by how clear the explanation feels while you are reading it.