Abstract: Methods and apparatus embodying techniques useful in testing students for mastery of educational topics. A plurality of fact elements are accessed and a first fact element is presented in a first semantic format, a first response is received to the fact element in the first semantic format, the first fact element is presented in a second semantic format, and a second response is received to the fact element in the second semantic format. In another aspect, the techniques iteratively present a plurality of fact elements in a plurality of different question formats, and also presents a memory aid. A memory aid may be presented with the fact element.