There are a lot of different effective study techniques for exam time that students can use to ace their exams. Despite the fact that there are numerous study approaches accessible, some have shown to be more effective than others.
This blog post contains a number of effective study techniques that you can adopt during your exam time
Effective study techniques for exam time
1. Spaced practice
Spaced practice is a study approach that involves dividing your study sessions into spaced intervals. It’s a simple concept, but because of how powerful it is, it’s a game changer for most students studying to take their exam.
You can implement spaced repetition by first attending class and learning the content of a course material. And then coming back to review the course material in another interval and going over your course material over and over again at different intervals.
It is critical to begin planning as soon as possible. Schedule some time each day for studying and reviewing the information at the start of each semester.
2. Information retrieval practice
Closely related to the spaced practice is the information retrieval practice, it is a process in which recalling information improves and accelerates learning. Deliberately recalling information requires us to draw our knowledge “out” and assess what we know.
Looking up an answer to a question enhances learning more than looking it up in a textbook. And memorizing and writing down the answer on a flashcard is far more successful than assuming the answer and flipping the card over too soon.
You can use this method in two ways either by creating your question and answering them or you use flashcards to the information retrieval practice but first write down your answer before flipping to see the answer.
3. Pomodoro Study Technique
The Pomodoro study technique is also similar to the two study techniques discussed above. In pomodoro study technique you divide your study time into 25-minute (or 45-minute) intervals known as Pomodoro sessions. Then, after each session, you’ll take a 5-minute (or 15-minute) break to completely disconnect from the study topic.
It should be noted that pomodoro study technique is a time management technique as it uses a timer to divide study time and it has several advantages.
It is a basic and straightforward methodology that encourages you to map out your study session, it allows for easy measurement of the amount of time spent on each session, and it gives brief bursts of concentrated work followed by resting times.
However, it is important to note that the scientific evidence supporting the Pomodoro approach is primarily conjectural, as there has been little scientific research on its efficiency. Another disadvantage of the Pomodoro study technique is that it is not suitable for tasks that demand prolonged, unbroken concentration.
4. The Leitner study technique
A German physicist Sabastian Leitner created this study technique. This technique assists you in learning new material by using flashcards and spaced repetition. If you incorporate this technique well you will be able to remember information for a longer time.
The Leitner study technique works by moving cards with correctly answered questions further down a line of boxes and incorrectly answered cards back to the first box. As a result, the cards in the first box are reviewed the most frequently, and the interval increases as the learner progresses down the line, forcing her to review the information she doesn’t know over and over.
Using the leitner study technique guarantees that you retain knowledge for a long period of time, however, owing to the lengthy setup process and the fact that alternative flashcard study methods, such as Anki, are more time-efficient, it is least used by students.
NOTE: Anki is an app that helps you remember stuff. Because it is far more efficient than traditional study methods like Leitner study technique, with Anki you can either significantly reduce the amount of time you spend studying or significantly enhance the amount you learn.
5. Feynman study technique
The Feynman Technique is a versatile, user-friendly, and effective study method established by Nobel Laureate physicist Richard Feynman. It is a strong learning tool that forces the learner to move outside of their comfort zone by breaking even the most difficult topics down into simply consumable portions.
- To implement the Feynman study technique, you will need to undergo these four steps
You will first identify the subject and write it down - And then under the topic you will write everything you know about the topic in simple and plain word so that even a child can understand
- And then identify the missing gap, the information you are missing and then you consult the course materials
- And finally you organize all the knowledge you have now gathered and review it again.
The Feynman Study Technique challenges you to learn more thoroughly and critically about what you’re learning, which is why it’s such an effective learning strategy.
6. Active recall study technique
Active recall study technique entails picking a topic you want to understand, developing questions based on that topic, and then testing yourself on those questions regularly. It ensures that you actively learn the material rather than passively reading it by pressing your brain to recollect it. Not only are you more likely to retain the material, but active recall also makes you vividly aware of areas that you do not grasp and require extra attention.
7. Practice testing study technique
Practice testing study techniques is part of the active recall study method and is by far the most effective way to study for tests. It’s no surprise that the majority of the world’s top students have an exceptional capacity to put themselves to the test. Practice tests are frequently what distinguishes top achievers from average students.
Practice testing helps you recall, retain, and comprehend concepts more quickly, and it’s excellent for preparing for difficult tests. If you master practice testing, no exam questions will ever surprise you again, since by the time the exam period arrives, you will have gone over all probable exam questions numerous times.
8. SQ3R study technique
The SQ3R study technique is a reading comprehension technique that assists students in identifying key facts and remembering knowledge from their course material. The term SQ3R (or SQRRR) stands for the five steps of the reading comprehension process. For a more efficient and successful study session, use the following steps:
Survey: Instead of reading the entire book, start by skimming the first chapter and taking notes on any headings, subheadings, images, etc.
Question: Formulate questions around the chapter’s content, such as, What is this chapter about?
Read: Begin reading the full chapter and look for answers to the questions you formulated.
Recite: After reading a section, summarize in your own words what you just read.
Review: Once you have finished the chapter, it’s important to review the material to fully understand it. Quiz yourself on the questions you created and re-read any portions you need to.
SQ3R is best used when you have limited study time and your primary source of information is a textbook. In such circumstances, the technique can be extremely beneficial in summarizing the essential points presented in the original material.
9. PQ4R Study technique
The PQ4R method is a study method based on the work of educational psychologist Francis P. Robinson. It is widely used to improve reading comprehension and is an indispensable tool for students with reading impairments.
PQ4R is an acronym that stands for Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, and Review. The steps involved in PQ4R are:
Preview: Previewing a textbook is acquiring a general sense of the material before beginning to read.
Read: Read the chapter with the intention of answering the questions you wrote.
Reflect: Relate new information to previous knowledge.
Recite: Once you’ve answered your questions, repeat them aloud or silently to yourself.
Review: Distributed learning is learning that occurs on a regular basis and is spread out throughout time.
PQ4R’s utility, however, is not limited to students with reading impairments. Any learner attempting to better understand what they’re reading can follow the same six steps.
We can improve our ability to synthesize information and analyze text by boosting our reading comprehension. However, we must be cautious not to let this method occupy too much of our study time. Many modern learning scientists regard reading as a passive and poor study tool, and it is preferable to use other strategies when available.
10. PQ3R Study technique
This strategy encourages active learning, which increases memorization and comprehension of the subject matter. PQ4R, like the SQ3R technique, is an abbreviation that stands for the six steps in the procedure.
Preview: Preview the facts before you begin reading to get a sense of the subject.
Question: Consider asking yourself questions about the issue, such as, “What do I anticipate to learn?”
Read: Go through the information one piece at a time, trying to find solutions to your queries.
Reflect: Have you answered all of your questions? If not, go back and see if you can figure it out.
Recite: Speak or write a summary of the content you just read in your own words.
Review: Go over the material again and answer any questions that have not yet been addressed.
While revolutionary at the time, the SQ3R study approach suffers from the same flaws as the current PQ4R method. For one thing, it’s largely employed to improve reading comprehension, and reading is no longer regarded an effective study approach. Another issue with the method is that it lacks the “reflection” component that the newer PQ4R study method provides.
11. Mind mapping study technique
A mind mapping study technique is a visual representation of a lesson that is organized radially around a central topic. It is a method of connecting multiple thoughts and concepts on a single page.
Mind mapping is a study technique that allows you to visually organize information in a diagram, if you’re a visual learner. You begin by writing a word in the center of a blank sheet. Then you write main concepts and keywords that are directly related to the fundamental notion. Other relevant concepts will continue to emerge.
A mind map’s structure is related to how our brains store and retrieve information. Reading comprehension can be improved by mind mapping your notes rather than simply writing them down. It also aids in seeing the larger picture by expressing the hierarchy and relationships between concepts and ideas.
So, how do you go about it?
Take a blank sheet of paper (or use an internet tool) and write your central topic in the center, for example, “marriage.”
Connect one of your primary concepts to the main topic, such as “different kind of marriage”.
Connect supporting concept sub-branches to your main branch.
TIP: Use different colors for each branch and, if necessary, draw illustrations.
Learning should be simple, dynamic, and effective. Mind mapping meets all of these requirements. It contributes to making studying engaging, enjoyable, and practical.
12. Interleaving study technique
Interleaving is a study technique in which students mix or interleave multiple disciplines or topics in order to improve their learning. If a student employs interleaving while studying for an exam, they can mix up different types of questions rather than studying only one type of question at a time.
To properly employ the interleaving study strategy in learning, you must first pick what material to interleave and how to interleave it. Furthermore, certain essential cautions to interleaving should be noted, such as the fact that it can be difficult for learners to engage in it, and that interleaving isn’t always the optimal strategy to utilize.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as a student in the twenty-first century, you have several fantastic effective study techniques for exam time to select from. The best one for you will be determined by your learning style, the content you are studying, and your available free time. When possible, I recommend using spaced repetition, active recall, and the Pomodoro method to study. However, the other tactics outlined above have their benefits as well. Above everything, try to be adaptable and open-minded. You will be able to optimize your learning capacity by doing so.