The present experiment focused on the development of a "cumulative rehearsal, fast-finish" rehearsal routine. This study was designed for two purposes: (1) to extend the notion of the "executive function" to the case where continued use of mnemonic routine is a reasonable response to an objective change in an information processing task, and (2) to determine the effects of training on the maintenance and generalization of a rehearsal strategy. The subjects were 62 volunteers chosen from grades 6, 10, and 12 and nine adults. The task was a 6-item (pictures) circular recall task presented in a pause-time paradigm. An automated WGTA apparatus was used. The overall design was mixed and represented by the factorial combination of Grade (6, 10, 12, adults) X Phase (Assessment, Training, Maintenance, Generalization) X Group (training, no training) X Item Type (TBR, TBF) X Serial Position (6). The results showed that adults spontaneously produced a "cumulative rehearsal, fast-finish" strategy in response to both the assessment and generalization tasks while only two 10- and three 12- graders did so. All trained subjects maintained the instructed routine and showed evidence of transfer during generalization. Analyses including adults suggested that the form of trained subjects' generalized strategy became more similar to that of the adults as grade increased. Observational and interview data supported these findings. (Author/MS)