Final answer:
Highlighting as a study technique may lead to overestimation of knowledge acquisition. More effective study methods include elaborative rehearsal and distributed practice which enhance long-term retention of information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Students who rely on highlighting as a study technique are MOST likely to overestimate how much they have actually learned. Highlighting is often a passive reading strategy and may not necessarily engage the student in deep processing of the material. A more effective approach would be to use elaborative rehearsal, a strategy that involves thinking about the material more deeply and connecting it to other information and prior knowledge. This method, according to the levels of processing theory by Craik and Lockhart (1972), helps transfer information into long-term memory. Additionally, applying the self-reference effect, distributed practice, and continuous rehearsal could reinforce understanding and retention of knowledge. Assessing one's understanding, reviewing material over time, and using other resources such as web-based quizzes, study guides, and associating learning with personally meaningful examples can also lead to better study outcomes.