Select Page

How To Remember Things for Exams

How To Remember Things for ExamsScore 89%Score 89%

1 Science-Backed Study Tips to Ace a Test

While barricading yourself in the library might be the tried-and-true (or at least tried) method of studying, there is a better way — in fact, there are at least 21 of them. Go forth and fearlessly take on tests with these science-backed study tips to turn AP Misery into AP Mastery.

Remember your stuff

1. Study when sleepy

Bedtime stories are for kids. Instead of reading the Berenstain Bears, try studying for a few minutes right before hitting the hay.

During sleep, your brain strengthens new memories and puts them into long-term storage, so there’s a good chance you’ll remember whatever you review right before dozing off. (Just try not to bring work into your actual bed, since the distraction can make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.)Trusted Source

2. Space it out

A new learning technique called “spaced repetition” involves breaking up information into small chunks and reviewing them consistently over a long period of time.

Don’t try to memorize the entire periodic table in one sitting. Instead, learn a few rows each day and review each lesson before starting anything new.Trusted Source

3. Create a mnemonic device

Turn the details you need to remember into an easy-to-recite acronym. For example, remember the order of mathematic operations PEMDAS (parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction) with this catchy mnemonic device: Please (P) excuse (E) my (M) dear (D) Aunt (A) Sally (S).

4. Write it down

Put those third-grade penmanship lessons to good use. Research suggests that we store information more securely when we write it by hand than when we type it on a computer keyboard. Start by recopying the most important notes from the semester onto a new sheet of paper.Trusted Source

5. Put yourself to the test

Quizzing yourself may be one of the best ways to prepare for the real deal. Get into the routine of practicing with a cheat sheet (notes) and then without it. Use a stopwatch to simulate the test time limit.

It may seem obvious, but the best strategy is to focus on the hard stuff first so it doesn’t trip you up on the test.

6. Shout it out

The dual action of seeing and hearing information at the same time helps seal it into your memory. So shout those notes out loud! We just can’t guarantee you won’t get thrown out of the library.Trusted Source

Get help

7. Come together (right now)

Group work doesn’t fly with everyone, but for those who benefit from a little team effort, a study group is the way to go. Pick a few studious pals and get together every few days to review the material.

Put one person in charge of delegating tasks (snack duty, music selection) and keeping the group on target with its goals.

Change things up

8. Walk backward

It might sound strange, but a backward walk is like hitting your brain’s rewind button. In one study, people who walked backward were better able to remember a video they’d watched than those who walked forward or stood still.Trusted Source

What is this strange phenom? The study authors call it the “mnemonic time-travel effect.”

9. Switch it up

Don’t stick to one topic. Instead, study a bunch of different material in one sitting. This technique helps prepare you to use the right strategy for finding the solution to a problem.

For example, if you do several division problems in a row, you’ll know when you begin each problem that it’ll require some division. But doing a series of problems that could require multiplication, division, or addition means you have to stop and think about which strategy is best.

10. Treat yo’self!

healthy holiday cookie, a walk around the block, 5 minutes on Twitter — whatever floats your boat. Knowing there’s a little reward waiting at the end of a few more pages makes it easier to beat procrastination while slogging through a semester’s worth of notes.

11. Drink up

Sorry, not that kind of drink. Instead, hit the local coffee shop for something caffeine-filled, whether your beverage of choice is coffee or tea. Research suggests the amount of caffeine in a cup or two of coffee boosts attention and alertness.

Hate the caffeine jitters? Decaf coffee also wakes up your brain, but without the jolt.Trusted Source

12. Take a time-out

Taking time to plan is one of the most important skills a student can have. Don’t just start the week with the vague goal of studying for a history exam. Instead, break up that goal into smaller tasks.

Pencil it in on the calendar like a regular class. For example, allot 1 to 3 p.m. each day to review 50 years’ worth of info.

13. Work it out

Get leaner and brainier at the same time. Research has shown that just a half hour of aerobic exercise may improve your brain-processing speed and other important mental abilities. Jog some laps around the block or run the stairs a few times and see if you don’t come back sharper.Trusted Source

14. Gimme a break

The KitKat guys said it, and so does science: Taking breaks — say, every 75 to 90 minutes — can boost productivity and improve your ability to focus on a single task. For a real productivity charge, step away from the screen and break a sweat with a midday gym session.

Beat stress

15. Daaaance to the music

As anyone who’s ever relied on the Biebs to make it through an all-night study session knows, music can help you beat stress.

It’s still not clear which type of music is best — classical, country, rock, or hip-hop — so go with your favorite. Give those biology notes a soundtrack and feel at least some stress slide away.Trusted Source

16. Say “om”

Just before staring at a piece of paper for 3 hours, direct your gaze inward for 3 minutes. Research suggests meditation can boost attention span and improve focus. And if you do it often enough, you can keep those intellectual gains well past the college years.Trusted Source

While most studies focus on regular meditation, there’s no harm in trying it out for a few minutes now and then to calm pre-test jitters.

17. Doze off

When there’s a textbook full of equations to memorize, it can be tempting to stay up all night committing them to memory (or trying to). But all-nighters rarely lead to an automatic A. In fact, burning the midnight oil can backfire, leading to more forgetfulness and greater sensitivity to stress.

In the days leading up to a big exam, aim to get those 7 to 9 hours a night. Research has shown that a solid night of sleep improves declarative memory, also known as the ability to remember facts on that big exam.Trusted Source

18. Feel free to inhale

Dusty old library again… or spa day? In one study, catching a whiff of lavender improved participants’ memory test scores after they were exposed to stress. Skip the frantic last-minute review and try a few minutes of aromatherapy instead.Trusted Source

Fight distractions

19. Nix the ’net

We’ve all been there, facing the siren call of a friend’s Facebook wall on the eve of a giant exam. If you need a computer to study, try an app that blocks the internet for a short period of time and see how much more you get done.

20. Strike a pose

Deep-breathing yoga both improves attention and eases stress. So dive into that Downward-Facing Dog or bend your bod into a lotus. A few daily sun salutations may be all it takes to stay focused during finals.Trusted Source

Find your sweet spot

21. Learn what works

Some people are early birds, some are night owls. Some prefer to study with a pal, others need complete and total silence. Experiment to find what study method is most effective for you, and then stick with it!

Last medically reviewed on September 8, 2015

 15 sourcesexpanded

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Chesak — By Shana Lebowitz — Updated on December 23, 2019

Review

89%

Summary One of the biggest fears every student has as they enter the exam hall is that their mind will go blank and they will suddenly forget every last thing they know. It’s the stuff of nightmares, but fortunately, it’s highly unlikely to happen. First of all, you’d be amazed what facts start to come flooding back to you once you pick up a pen and start answering a question. Second of all, there are lots of memory tricks you can use that will help you recall information in a more formal and structured way. In this article, we’re going to show you just how much you can do to commit facts and figures to memory ready to recall them in exams, and we hope that as well as boosting your confidence, this should also ward off those nasty pre-exam nightmares!

Focus on topic
100%
0%
Use of multimedia
100%
Academic value
100%
Requirement in 2023 and beyond
100%
Quality of material
95%
Authenticity
95%
Quality of text
100%
Creating and Maintaining Interest In Readers
95%
Overall Index
96%
Links To Other References
100%
test
90%

About The Author

admin

I am an electrical engineer with a Masters degree in computer sciences.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT VIDEOS

Loading...

Understanding The 5 Vs of Big Data

Exams Academy Shares Some Thoughts On Time Management

Take Care of Your Emotional Welbeing

Benefits Of Blockchain Technology

Differences Between AI & Machine Learning

Why Is 5G Technology Different Than 4G

Do Books Really Influence You?

RSS Exams Academy

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) Certifications
    Value of any certification depends not only on the name but also on the skills and knowledge you gain during the certification process. Be sure to choose certifications that align with your specific interests and career goals. Additionally, the AI and ML landscape is continually evolving, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies […]
    admin
  • Professional Certifications That Will Be In Demand In 2024 and Beyond
    Predicting the exact demand for professional certifications in 2024 and beyond is challenging, as it depends on various factors. However, based on the existing trends and emerging technologies. Also, the job market is constantly evolving, so it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and demands in your field. Additionally, consider your interests, career […]
    admin
  • How The GRE Exam Is Going To Change In September 2023
    Graduate Record Examination or GRE 2023 is a challenging, internationally valid, entrance test. It is a registered trademark of ETS (Educational Testing Service) which is headquartered at Princeton, N Jersey, United States. This exam is attempted every year by aspirants who wish to pursue a specialized Masters course or Doctoral degree at well-known B-Schools in […]
    admin
  • New Changes in TOEFL 2023 Exam Pattern
    TOEFL is a Test of English as a Foreign Language which assesses the English skills of non-native speakers as the Educational Testing Service administers it. This test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories for students who want to enrol in any overseas university or college. […]
    admin
  • Most Popular Certifications
    It's difficult to determine the most popular certification across all industries, as different certifications hold different levels of importance and popularity in different fields. To conclude, we would say that determination of the most popular certification depends on various factors such as the industry, job role, and location. However, some of the most widely recognized […]
    Engr. Saeed Khtar PMP
  • Top 8 Accounting Certifications
    If you are a financial professional, an accounting certification can increase your earning potential and qualify you for more positions. If you are considering obtaining certification, exploring some of the more popular ones can help you determine which is the best fit for you. In this article, the indeed editorial team discusses eight top accounting […]
    admin
  • Can ChatGPT Pass Any Exam?
    GPT-4 is OpenAI’s “most-advanced” AI technology. It can comprehend and discuss pictures and generate eight times the text of its predecessor, ChatGPT (which is powered by GPT 3.5). Here’s a list of exams the new technology has passed… The post Can ChatGPT Pass Any Exam? appeared first on Exams Academy.
    admin
  • Merits and Demerits of Online Examinations
    We have so far seen many advancements in science and technology but the idea of online exams is innovative and challenging at the same time. We cannot be more sure if it should be applied by and large to all institutes. There are many preparations to be done beforehand. There are many systems suggested for […]
    admin
  • Amazing Uses of Calculus in Real Life
    Calculus is used in lots of fields, physics, engineering, medicine, economics, biology, engineering, space exploration, statistics, pharmacology and many more. Without calculus architects and engineers couldn’t build safe structures. It is used to calculate changes in quantities and systems. Calculus helps to analyze, find optimal solutions and predict the future. Calculus has given us incredible […]
    admin
  • How To Improve Reading Retention
    Have you ever found yourself at the end of a book you’ve just finished wondering, what did I just read? (And not in a Gone Girl "what the hell just happened" way.) If you have trouble remembering the finer points of your recent reads, don’t stress, because you’re not alone, and there are plenty of […]
    admin