The Most Effective Study Techniques for Exams

When it comes to studying for exams, not all techniques are created equal. Decades of cognitive science research have shown that some study methods are dramatically more effective than others. Here are the techniques that actually work.

Active Recall

Active recall is the practice of actively stimulating your memory during learning. Instead of passively reading your notes, you actively try to remember information.

How to do it:

• Close your textbook and try to write down everything you remember about a topic
• Use flashcards where you try to recall the answer before flipping
• After reading a section, look away and summarise it in your own words

Spaced Repetition

Instead of cramming everything in one session, spread your studying over multiple days. Your brain consolidates memories during sleep, so studying the same material across several days is far more effective than one long session.

The spacing effect:

• Review material 1 day after learning it
• Then again after 3 days
• Then after 1 week
• Then after 2 weeks

Practice Testing

Testing yourself is one of the most powerful learning techniques. Even if you get answers wrong, the act of trying to retrieve information strengthens your memory.

Ways to test yourself:

• Do past exam papers under timed conditions
• Answer the questions at the end of textbook chapters
• Create your own practice questions
• Study with a friend and quiz each other

What Doesn't Work as Well

Some popular study methods are actually quite ineffective:

• Highlighting: Feels productive but is mostly passive
• Re-reading notes: Creates familiarity, not understanding
• Summarising: Only works if you do it without looking at the source

Combining Techniques

The best approach combines these methods. Use spaced repetition to schedule your study sessions, active recall to actually learn the material, and practice testing to check your progress.