The relevance of the problem under study is based on the necessity to solve the permanent problem of the unity of theory and practice in the content of students' cognitive activity in the modern conditions. The purpose of the article is to analyze and to generalize the main concepts of pedagogy by N.F. Talyzina for implementation of the activity-based approach as a productive means of achieving theoretical and practical consensus in the process of forming students' cognitive activity. The lead approach to studying this problem is the activity-based approach which adequately expresses the objective and the essence of our research. The article is based on the concepts of pedagogy by N.F. Talyzina and reveals the conceptual and instrumental components of implementing the activity-based approach as a productive means of achieving theoretical and practical consensus in the process of forming students' cognitive activity. The materials of the article can be useful in modeling, designing and constructing a pedagogical concept aimed at achieving the balance between theoretical and practical components within the process of carrying out educational activity.