Notes on studying that actually works
Short, practical write-ups on the study methods with real evidence behind them, and how to fit them into a normal week of revision.
How to Study for the SAT: A Realistic Prep Plan
A practical plan for the digital SAT, from diagnosing your starting score to the last two weeks, built around timed practice instead of endless review.
Read the articleHow to Study for the ACT
The ACT is fast and predictable. Here's how to prepare for its four sections, fix your pacing, and turn practice tests into a real score gain.
Read the articleHow to Prepare for the GRE
A focused plan for the GRE's Verbal and Quantitative sections, covering vocabulary, quant strategy, and how to practise so your score actually moves.
Read the articleHow to Use AI to Study Without Cheating Yourself
AI can make you study faster or stop you learning entirely, depending on how you use it. Here's the line between the two, and how to stay on the right side of it.
Read the articleHow to Learn From Your Mistakes: The Right Way to Review Wrong Answers
The questions you get wrong are the most valuable in your revision, if you review them properly. Here's a simple system for turning mistakes into marks.
Read the articleActive Recall: The Study Technique That Actually Works
Active recall is the single most effective way to study for exams. Here's what it is, why it works, and how to start using it today.
Read the articleSpaced Repetition: How to Remember More by Studying Less
Spaced repetition lets you lock information into long-term memory with less total study time. Learn the science and a simple schedule you can follow.
Read the articleWhy Re-reading and Highlighting Don't Work (and What to Do Instead)
The two most popular study habits are also two of the least effective. Here's why re-reading and highlighting fail, and what to replace them with.
Read the articleHow to Turn Lecture Notes Into Practice Questions
Your lecture notes are a goldmine of exam questions waiting to happen. Here's a repeatable process for converting notes into effective self-tests.
Read the articleHow to Study for Exams: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
A practical, evidence-based system for exam preparation, from planning your revision to the final week before the test.
Read the articleHow to Beat Procrastination When Studying
Procrastination isn't laziness, it's how we cope with difficult tasks. Here are practical strategies to actually start studying and keep going.
Read the articleHow to Study From a PDF or Textbook Effectively
Dense PDFs and textbooks are where most study time disappears. Use this method to read with purpose and actually retain what you read.
Read the articleFlashcards vs. Practice Tests: Which Is Better?
Both flashcards and practice tests use retrieval, but they're suited to different material. Here's how to choose, and how to combine them.
Read the articleHow to Create a Revision Timetable You'll Actually Follow
Most revision timetables are abandoned within days. Here's how to build one that's realistic, flexible, and based on what actually improves grades.
Read the articleMemory Techniques Every Student Should Know
From the method of loci to chunking, these memory techniques help you store and recall information faster. Here's how each one works.
Read the articleHow to Manage Exam Stress and Anxiety
A little exam nerves can sharpen you; too much wrecks your recall. Here are practical, evidence-based ways to keep exam stress under control.
Read the articleThe Night Before an Exam: What to Do (and What to Avoid)
The last evening before an exam can help or hurt you. Here's how to spend it so you walk in calm, rested and ready.
Read the articleHow to Use Past Papers to Prepare for Exams
Past papers are the closest thing to seeing the real exam in advance. Here's how to use them properly instead of just glancing over them.
Read the articleInterleaving: Why Mixing Up Topics Beats Studying in Blocks
Studying one topic to exhaustion before moving on feels efficient, but mixing topics helps you learn more. Here's the science of interleaving.
Read the articleHow to Study for Several Exams at Once
Exam season means juggling multiple subjects at the same time. Here's how to plan and revise for several exams without burning out.
Read the articleThe Feynman Technique: Learn Anything by Teaching It
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. The Feynman Technique turns that idea into a powerful way to study.
Read the articleHow to Stay Focused While Studying
Focus is a skill you can build. Here's how to cut distractions, work in focused bursts, and actually concentrate during study sessions.
Read the articleReading about it is a start. Testing yourself is the point.
Turn a page of your own notes into a quiz and put any of these techniques to work.