How to Cram for an Exam

Guide Note:This page will give you step-by-step instructions and tips for How to Cram for an Exam.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

  • The big test is just around the corner and you're not ready! Don't panic: Mahalo's how to cram for an exam will show you how to organize, study, get ready, and ace your exam!

Step 1: Find out all the material the test will cover

A study group can make cramming easier. (Photo by Laura00)
A study group can make cramming easier. (Photo by Laura00)
  • Anticipate what will be on the test. Whatever the instructor finds important will surely be on the exam. In your search, you may find books you do not need to cover, chapters that you can skip, or themes that are more important than others. This can cut down your work load substantially.
  1. Attend all review sessions.
  2. Find out if there is a instructor provided study guide or make your own.
  3. Join a study group.
  4. If possible, get a copy of a previous or practice test.

Step 2: Organize yourself for the exam

  • Once you organize your material, you will have a better idea how much information you need to cover. After that you can organize your time to use it most effectively.
Organize the materials you need to study. (Creative Commons photo by Jennifer Woodard Maderazo)
Organize the materials you need to study. (Creative Commons photo by Jennifer Woodard Maderazo)

Organize your material to cram for the exam

  1. Look over the syllabus.
  2. Organize your lecture notes accordingly.
  3. Scan the chapter headings of the books you have studied over the term.
  4. Break down topics into manageable portions to keep from becoming overwhelmed.

Organize your time to cram for the exam

  1. Will you have time to review all levels of the material?
  2. If not, separate the most important material from the rest and concentrate on that.
  3. Plan time for breaks. The University of Kansas suggests taking a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes of studying.

Step 3: Make and use flashcards

  • Now that you know what material you need to cover, you can jump into studying. It probably feels as though you have an overwhelming amount to learn, and the exam is approaching quickly. The best way to break down the huge amount of information is to make flashcards for the major and minor points, important people, and salient events that will be on your exam.
Try color-coded flashcards to organize your cramming. (Creative Commons photo by Drcw)
Try color-coded flashcards to organize your cramming. (Creative Commons photo by Drcw)
  1. You can use online flashcard services such as Flashcard Exchange, Scholastic, or Educational Press.
  2. If you are making homemade cards, simply put the keyword on one side and the definition on the other.
  3. Make sure that the card stock you use is thick enough so you cannot see the definition through the paper.
  4. You can color code the cards for different subjects, eras, or events.
  5. Start with the most difficult material while you are fresh and alert.
  6. Take the first card and try to remember the key term's definition and as many details as possible.
  7. Turn the card over.
  8. If you were correct, put the card aside.
  9. If you were incorrect, read over the information on the card and put it back in the original pile.
  10. Continue to go through the pile until you have finished.

Step 4: Review for the exam

Test yourself as you study. (Photo by Sanja Gjenero)
Test yourself as you study. (Photo by Sanja Gjenero)
  • Go through the entire pile of cards again. A second review will cement everything you have studied in your brain.
  1. Continue to test yourself.
  2. As the night wears on, make sure to glance over material you are sure you know. It helps with confidence, and you will be sure nothing gets lost in the chaos of a cram session.
  3. Often having a partner to test you or make half the flashcards for you will keep you motivated and can cut down your workload. Ask around the class for a study partner. Chances are someone else is cramming as well.

Step 5: Take care of yourself

  • There are several surefire ways to stay awake longer than normal. After your second review, if it is already late, try these techniques to stay awake.
Coffee helps you stay awake. (Photo by Ula Kapala)
Coffee helps you stay awake. (Photo by Ula Kapala)
  1. Have some caffeine. The McKinley Health Center concludes while caffeine will keep you awake to study, it will not improve your exam performance the next day. If you do rely on caffeine, you can also try the pills NoDoz or Vivaran.
  2. Take a cold shower. The temperature change will jolt you awake.
  3. Get some exercise; while you study if necessary.
  4. Make sure you eat. Your body is not used to being awake past your normal bedtime and needs fuel. Keep anything you eat low fat and high protein. Eating a greasy cheeseburger will put you into a food coma, and a dinner of sugar cookies will make you crash well before you have mastered the finer topics.
  5. If it looks like your cramming session is turning into an all nighter, double check that you are not just procrastinating.

Step 6: Review again

  • You reviewed the material once when you organized it, once when you studied it, and again upon your second review. Now that you think you have everything down review a final time.
  1. Say the flashcards out loud. This slows down your probably over-caffeinated brain and forces you to focus on idea by idea.
  2. Think about any essay questions that may be on the exam and jot down quick outlines for them.
  3. Write any themes or topics that you still have not mastered on new index cards so can you review them first thing in the morning. By writing them down, you will be reviewing them yet again.
    • Don't forget to get some sleep. (Photo by Colin Adamson)
      Don't forget to get some sleep. (Photo by Colin Adamson)
  4. Get some sleep. Set as many alarms as possible. There is nothing worse than spending all night mastering the material and then sleeping through the exam.

Step 7: The day of the exam

Eat a healthy breakfast on exam day! (Photo by Anna Moderska)
Eat a healthy breakfast on exam day! (Photo by Anna Moderska)
  • You have spent valuable time and energy cramming for your exam. It is almost time for the exam. How you spend the morning before your class can really affect your performance on the test.
  1. Wake up on time.
  2. Eat a healthy breakfast.
  3. Go over anything you may not be feeling completely confident about.
  4. For a refresher, take a quick glance over the study guide.
  5. Get to the exam early.
  6. Take one last glance at your notes.
  7. Take a deep breath, and shake off any anxiety.
  8. Begin your exam.
  • You will do great! You just learned the Mahalo way to cram for an exam.

Alternate and sometimes bizarre methods of cramming

  1. While studying the material, play the same song over and over. Think of, or hum quietly, that same song during the test.
  2. Sleep on your book. Hope you learn through osmosis.
  3. Act out the material while you study.
  4. Set your study materials to music, as in the following video.


Resources for how to cram for an exam

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