How quickly do employees forget training content?

Research by Ebbinghaus and replicated in corporate contexts shows 50–70% of new training content is forgotten within 24 hours without reinforcement. After one week, 75–80% is lost; after a month, 90% is forgotten. The 'forgetting curve' provides the scientific basis for spaced learning in corporate training design.

What training design reduces the forgetting curve?

Effective anti-forgetting strategies: (1) spaced practice (micro-learning over days/weeks vs. one-day training); (2) retrieval practice (quizzes after each module); (3) interleaving (mixing topics); (4) elaborative interrogation (why does this work?); (5) application practice in real work contexts within 72 hours of training.

Corporate Training Retention: Ebbinghaus

How It Works

Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels

Note: Interpret the training retention curve result against the clinical thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the values for the patient or scenario you are assessing. Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels. Use the training retention curve result to inform your clinical assessment.

Glossary and Definitions

Training retention: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Ebbinghaus corporate: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Forgetting curve training: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Knowledge decay: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Refresher training: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Retention rate: A key concept in Training Retention Curve: Apply Ebbinghaus forgetting curve to corporate training contexts. Calculate expected knowledge retention at T days post-training without reinforcement: R(t) = e^(−t/S). Model required refresher intervals to maintain target retention levels.
Training Retention Curve: The Training Retention Curve computes a result from the inputs you provide, based on the method described above.

Corporate Training Retention: Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

How It Works

How to Use

Glossary and Definitions

Frequently Asked Questions