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Learn how to effectively cram for an exam
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So, it's the night before a big test, and you haven't even cracked open a textbook or skimmed your notes. We've all been there. While cramming isn’t an ideal way to learn, it can help you memorize information in a pinch. In this article, we sat down with academic tutor Jake Adams to teach you everything you need to know to successfully cram the night before a test. Plus, we’ll provide tips on how to avoid needing to cram in the future.
How to Study for a Test in One Night
Study in a quiet spot and put away any distractions, like your phone. Make a schedule to study different topics, starting with the most important information. Use flashcards and practice tests to review and memorize the material. Get a good night’s sleep to increase your chances of retaining the information.
Steps
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How to Learn Information Overnight
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Make a schedule with breaks. When cramming at the last minute, you may feel panicked and think you need to study all night with no breaks. However, this will only lead to more stress. Take a look at everything you need to study and create a schedule for yourself. Dedicate more time to the information you know you struggle with and less time to the information you know pretty well. Give yourself time to relax between these sessions so your brain doesn’t feel overloaded. [1] X Research source
- Committing to a specific schedule can help you stay on task and will relieve a lot of the stress you may be feeling.
- For example, try the Pomodoro technique; work in 25-minute intervals, then take a 5-minute break. After completing four 25-minute sets, reward yourself with a longer 15-minute break. [2] X Research source
- Adams says building in breaks or rewards can help motivate you. He recommends “[setting a] reward for [yourself] of taking a 15-minute break to go call [a] friend or to go outside and go on a walk.”
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Prioritize learning the important information. This strategy is the most important part of cramming . Realistically, you’re probably not going to memorize every single piece of information in a single night. Instead, focus on the main ideas or key formulas you need to know. Refer to your syllabus and the information you know about the test to determine what to prioritize. [3] X Research source
- Don't attempt to learn everything; focus on things that will get you the most points on the exam. For example, if your professor said the essay will be 75% of your grade, dedicate your time to preparing for that and skip the multiple choice section.
- Pay attention to what your teacher or professor explicitly said would be on the exam, your syllabus, and information that has frequently come up in your textbook or lectures. If it’s highlighted, bolded, or underlined, it’s probably something you need to know.
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Read the summaries; don’t focus on the little details. Concentrate on the bigger picture—as you read through your textbook or notes, highlight the important facts you think could be on the test. Most textbooks have chapter summaries that do a good job of summarizing important points. If there are no chapter summaries, skim through the text and write down key ideas. [4] X Research source
- Look closely at the vocabulary. Your understanding of the text will be stronger if you know what the words mean.
- Anything labeled “introduction,” “conclusion,” or “summary” is probably a good place to start.
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Write out important info or recite small bits out loud. Taking notes as you go will help your brain process the material better. If you just skim your textbooks or notes, you probably won't remember as much when it’s time for the test. Make sure to write your notes by hand instead of typing them, as research shows typing isn’t as effective for memorization. [5] X Research source
- If you're lucky enough to have an insomniac for a roommate, grab them. Ask them to listen to you spout off about certain concepts. Relaying information to another individual is a surefire way to guarantee you understand the ins and outs of the ideas.
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Make flash cards. Using flashcards is a good way to quiz yourself, and writing and reading them out loud helps you process the information. Use different colors for different topics or chapters, and mix up the order of the cards to help retain the information. [6] X Research source
- Look for parallels, metaphors, and other memory triggers to help you wrap your brain around complicated concepts. Write the keywords of your metaphor down to jog your memory while studying.
- Write the information down in mnemonic devices. For example, “Dumb Kids Playing Catch On Freeway Get Squashed” could help you remember Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species . [7] X Research source
- Other visual aids can also help, like mind maps, charts, and graphs. These can help identify connections between the course material.
- Adams recommends “making a game” of your studying, like using online quiz sites like Sporcle or Quizlet.
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Do a practice exam. Whether your test is multiple choice, short answer, oral, or any other format, try to study based on the format so you’re more prepared for the actual exam. Pull questions from old quizzes, do practice tests in your textbook, or look online for questions that likely resemble what will be on your test. Set a timer and pretend that the practice test is the real thing. Then, review your answers to determine what information you still need to learn. [8] X Research source
- For example, many multiple-choice math questions can be found online. Or, if your teacher or professor gave you a study guide, have a friend or family member pull questions from that to create a quiz for you.
- If your exam is oral , practice reciting your answers out loud so you’re less likely to fumble your words during the actual test.
- Adams says to review past exams “and really [take] a look at those questions… Knowing a test is definitely helpful for preventing [stress].”
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Take breaks. Remember the study schedule you made earlier? Make sure to take your scheduled breaks. It may seem counter-intuitive, but your brain will be able to process more information if you're not so hard on it. Study in bursts—cramming like the Energizer Bunny is inefficient and saturates your mind, preventing it from taking in more information. Though you're studying a bit less, you'll retain more. [9] X Research source
- After 45 minutes or so, get up. Stretch your body and walk around. Grab a drink, get a snack, and hop back to it in 5 to 10 minutes. You should feel a bit more refreshed and ready for action. [10] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I do if I'm frustrated with studying?Community AnswerIf you are frustrated with studying a boring topic, take a breather to calm yourself down. Next, force yourself to be interested in the topic. Even if you need to prepare for the most boring test, it is easier to remember something if you read it more excitedly than if you stay frustrated and reread the same material over and over because you didn't absorb it.
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QuestionThe biggest exam of my life is coming up in another 3 weeks. Should I start cramming now?Community AnswerYes. The early you start, the better.
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QuestionCan I study early in the morning if I don't have time to sit and study the night before?Community AnswerYes, but try to study the night before if you can, even if it is only for a little bit.You can also study in the car, on the bus, or during your break/lunch.
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Tips
- Make sure to stay hydrated! Water is good for your body and will nourish you while you cram.Thanks
- Don't try to memorize everything word for word. Try to understand what you are reading and make sure you get the main point.Thanks
- If you're feeling a bit tired because of so much late-night studying, take a shower (preferably with cold water); it will help you feel refreshed and awake.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- While you study, write down all the important points down in a notebook. Keep reviewing your points before the test. And also revise your text books for better result.
- Instead of drinking coffee, drink strong black tea. Make sure to stay hydrated with water, too.
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Warnings
- Remember that cramming is not ideal. It lessens your chances of actually retaining the material. Cramming for one test is fine, but don't cram for all of them, especially big or important ones.Thanks
- If you can't remember the answer on a test, never cheat, as this may have some serious consequences.Thanks
- If you are going to study on your way to school, make sure you are not the one driving; your concentration needs to be on the road!Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/student-life/student-news/2017/09/22/5-tips-to-study-effectively-for-your-exams.html
- ↑ https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/10-top-tips-for-the-night-before-your-exam/
- ↑ https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/blog/post/how-study-strategically-last-minute-effective-cramming
- ↑ https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/blog/post/how-study-strategically-last-minute-effective-cramming
- ↑ https://www.medicaldaily.com/why-using-pen-and-paper-not-laptops-boosts-memory-writing-notes-helps-recall-concepts-ability-268770
- ↑ https://studentnews.manchester.ac.uk/2024/05/01/things-to-do-the-night-before-and-morning-of-your-exams/
- ↑ https://www.academictips.org/memory/mnemexam.html
- ↑ https://www.wjec.co.uk/articles/10-top-tips-for-the-night-before-your-exam/
- ↑ https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/student-life/student-news/2017/09/22/5-tips-to-study-effectively-for-your-exams.html
- ↑ https://www.onlineschools.org/science-of-study-breaks/
- ↑ https://people.tamu.edu/~kahlig/help/cramming.html
- ↑ https://sydney.edu.au/campus-life/student-news/2017/09/22/5-tips-to-study-effectively-for-your-exams.html
- ↑ https://online.maryville.edu/blog/music-to-help-you-study/
- ↑ https://people.tamu.edu/~kahlig/help/cramming.html
- ↑ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/what-to-do-the-night-before-exam/
- ↑ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/what-to-do-the-night-before-exam/
- ↑ https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/what-to-do-the-night-before-an-exam
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep
- ↑ https://studentnews.manchester.ac.uk/2024/05/01/things-to-do-the-night-before-and-morning-of-your-exams/
- ↑ https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/14-tips-for-test-taking-success/
- ↑ https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/blog/post/how-study-strategically-last-minute-effective-cramming
- ↑ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/how-to-study-for-exams-strategies-and-tips/
- ↑ https://www.open.edu.au/advice/insights/how-to-study-effectively-for-your-exams
- ↑ https://www.open.edu.au/advice/insights/how-to-study-effectively-for-your-exams
- ↑ https://www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/study-lab/study-skills-tools-resources/seven-day-test-prep-plan
About This Article
Article Summary
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To cram the night before a test, only focus on the main ideas or formulas that will be on the test so you're not wasting time on smaller, less-important details. Also, try to find summaries of any chapters you need to study, or just skim them and write down any key ideas. To help you learn things quickly, try writing them out and reciting them out loud over and over again. You can also make flashcards to quickly learn important vocabulary words or concepts. To learn how to set up a productive studying environment, keep reading!
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- "Well, actually, I'm not a night-crammer, and I'm used to studying weeks and months before. My school just reopened after the 45-day summer vacation and I haven't been studying for this time period. Now, there's a chemistry test right before me and, yes, I got enough sleep the afternoon. So I'm ready for cramming session and yup, this is my first time. Thank you, wikiHow, for creating this article as I'm an inexperienced one. Thank you, and yes, it's just a normal test. Wish me luck!" ..." more
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"Well, actually, I'm not a night-crammer, and I'm used to studying weeks and months before. My school just reopened after the 45-day summer vacation and I haven't been studying for this time period. Now, there's a chemistry test right before me and, yes, I got enough sleep the afternoon. So I'm ready for cramming session and yup, this is my first time. Thank you, wikiHow, for creating this article as I'm an inexperienced one. Thank you, and yes, it's just a normal test. Wish me luck!"
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"Learned that music during cramming is detrimental to retaining key information. I used to put on a pair of headphones and dive into my world. Turns out that the results are not that great. After reading this article, now I have a reason to put my laptop away."
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"The thing is...I forgot we have a Biology test on Monday! It's Saturday evening, and I can't study on Sunday because I'll be at a party all day! It's a family thing, so I can't cancel! Thanks wikiHow, I'll cram it all up today!"
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"Probably the eating part was the most-helpful. I only had some noodles and I got full marks. Still, I recommend studying weeks before; it is way better. This was just an emergency. Thank you, wikiHow."
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