Which term describes a curve where performance improves directly with practice time?

• A. Linear learning curve
• B. Positive learning curve
• C. Negative learning curve
• D. Learning plateau

Answer: (A)

Performance improving steadily as you practice is best described by a linear learning curve. It means you gain a similar amount of improvement for each additional unit of practice, giving a straight-line relationship between time spent practicing and performance. This contrasts with a learning plateau, where progress stops despite more practice, and a negative learning curve, where performance would decline with more practice. A positive learning curve signals improvement overall but doesn’t specify a constant rate of increase like a linear curve does. So the straight-line pattern best captures the idea of consistent, direct gains from practice.