New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is a key aspect of metacognition?

1. Memorizing information

2. Thinking about your own thinking

3. Observing others' thoughts

4. Reading faster

The correct answer is: Thinking about your own thinking

Thinking about your own thinking is a fundamental aspect of metacognition. It involves being aware of your cognitive processes, which includes understanding how you learn, what strategies work best for you, and recognizing when you do or do not understand something. This self-awareness allows individuals to regulate their learning more effectively by planning, monitoring, and evaluating their thoughts and responses during the learning process. In contrast, memorizing information focuses on rote learning without engaging with the underlying thought processes. Observing others' thoughts does not directly involve self-reflection or self-analysis, while reading faster pertains to a skill in reading rather than an awareness of personal cognitive strategies. Metacognition ultimately empowers learners to take charge of their learning strategies and improve their academic performance through thoughtful engagement with cognitive processes.