Studying for Exams

Overview

It may come as a surprise, but reading does not equal studying. Just because you read something doesn’t mean you will remember it when it comes time to take an exam. Preparing for exams doesn’t just mean rereading your notes—it means learning how to organize, analyze, and actively work with the material. This handout will guide you through five essential strategies to help you read more effectively and study with purpose.

How to Organize Your Study

Studying without a plan can lead to stress and confusion. Here’s how to stay focused:

• • Make a study schedule. Break your time into blocks across several days or weeks before the exam. Start reviewing at least a week before the exam. Schedule daily study sessions and add extra time for challenging subjects. Don’t cram the night before.
  • List your subjects or units. Break your course into logical chunks (by chapters, lectures, or topics).
  • Start early with the hardest content. Review unfamiliar or complex material first, when your brain is freshest.
  • Mix it up. Alternate between different subjects or types of study (reading, quizzing, note-making) to avoid burnout.
  • Use active breaks. Take short, purposeful breaks to recharge. Try stretching, walking, or doing a short non-academic task.
  • The night before: Use the night before the exam for a final review of the toughest material. Don’t study anything new—focus on checking your recall and practicing key facts or essay ideas.

How to Know What to Study

Don’t waste time guessing what’s important. Use these tools to narrow your focus:

• • Ask about the exam. Find out the exam format (objective, essay, or both), what material it will cover, and how it will be graded. Ask your instructor if it’s not clear, and use past quizzes or class discussions to understand their expectations.
  • Check your syllabus. Look for units, objectives, and key terms the instructor highlights.
  • Use lecture notes and slides. What was emphasized in class is likely to appear on the exam.
  • Look for cues in your textbook.

• • • Headings and subheadings
    • Bold or italicized terms
    • Chapter summaries and key concept boxes
    • End-of-chapter questions
  • Don’t miss the class before the exam. Instructors often give key review tips or hints in the class right before an exam. Pay close attention to last-minute advice and how they answer students’ questions—it can reveal what the exam will focus on.
  • Ask your classmates. Your peers may hear things in class that you missed. Discussing the material with others can reveal topics you’ve missed and sharpen your focus.

How to Review for Objective and Essay Exams

Not all exams are the same, and not all studying is the same. There are different strategies to study for different types of exams. Exams are usually either objective (like multiple choice, true/false, or fill-in-the-blank) or essay. Objective tests have clear right or wrong answers. Essay exams require you to recall, organize, and write about the material in your own words. Each type calls for different study strategies.

Objective Exams (multiple choice, true/false, matching)

• • Focus on vocabulary, definitions, facts, and concept connections.
  • Make and use flashcards (digital or paper).
  • Create self-quizzes using practice questions.
  • Teach the material out loud to someone else—or yourself.

Essay Exams

• • Focus on themes, major arguments, and relationships between ideas.
  • Practice writing outlines or short essays.
  • Review key thinkers, events, or case studies and how they connect to course concepts.
  • Memorize important terms in context (not just the definition, but how it fits the big picture).

How to Analyze and Pull Together Information

Once you know what to study, focus on pulling ideas together and spotting big-picture themes. It’s easy to get lost in details, but exams often test your understanding of key concepts and how ideas relate. Look for patterns, links, and trends—not just facts.

• • Look for patterns. What ideas come up again and again?
  • Compare and contrast. How are topics similar or different?
  • Group related concepts. Use categories, timelines, or flow charts.
  • Ask yourself, “Why?” Don’t just know the “what”—know the “why” and “how.”
  • Summarize each section in your own words. That’s how you know you understand it.

Try this strategy:

After each major section you read, stop and write:

• • “The main idea is…”
  • “This connects to…” (another idea or concept)
  • “An example is…”

How to Prepare for Self-Testing

Now that you’ve studied the material, it’s time to practice taking the test. You can do this by yourself or with your classmates. Quizzing yourself is one of the most powerful ways to learn. Here’s how to do it well:

• • Create your own test questions. Use past exams, textbook questions, or make your own:
    • Objective: definitions, multiple choice, short answer
    • Essay: big ideas, themes, or connections
  • Use flashcards or quiz apps. Shuffle and practice until you can answer quickly and confidently.
  • Cover and recite. Cover your notes, say what you remember, then check for accuracy.
  • Do a brain dump. On a blank page, write everything you can remember on a topic.
  • Simulate the test. Time yourself. Work in a quiet space. Challenge yourself not to peek at your notes.

Here are some questions you can ask based on the type of content you are studying: