9 Psychology Backed Tips for Acing Exams

With the exam season coming, stress is at an all-time high among students. If you are overwhelmed by the amount of material you need to study and revise, say hello to these evidence-based study techniques. Following these can make exam preparations more effective and less arduous. Psychology provides many insights into how the brain learns, retains, and recalls. This article lists scientifically validated study strategies that will help you prepare for your exams efficiently without losing your mind.

1. Space Out Your Learning (Spaced Repetition)

One of the most effective methods of studying is spaced repetition, wherein material is read over increasing intervals of time. This is similar to the “spacing effect,” which was first described by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus. Leaving gaps between periods of study will also strengthen memory retention as well as reduce the forgetting curve.

A 2016 study by Cepeda et al. proved that students who, instead of cramming, spread the time period for learning yielded better results on both short-term and long-term recall tests. Dr. Henry Roediger, a renowned cognitive psychologist, says, “Spacing practice not only improves recall but also makes learning more effortful, leading to deeper processing.”

Practical Tip: Cut up your syllabus into digestible portions, and review the material on each topic from time to time. Tools like flashcards can automate spaced repetition for you.

2. Test yourself regularly (Active Recall)

Active recall- recall by doing has been proven more effective than traditional active review strategies such as rereading and underlining. Students who received retrieval practice performed 50% better on tests than those using other practice methods, a study by Karpicke and Blunt in 2011 found out. 

“The very process of recalling information alters how you store it. Testing is not just a means of assessing; it’s an important learning mechanism.”.

Practical Tip: Use practice questions, mock tests, or even create your quizzes to test your understanding.

3. Break It Down: The Pomodoro Technique

Long periods of uninterrupted studying can result in decreasing returns due to mental exhaustion. The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo, who used a pomodoro (Italian for tomato) shaped clock to study. It facilitates maintaining concentration through the use of 25-minute intervals during which one studies then takes a 5-minute break.

This technique utilises the principle called “chunking,” which, based on cognitive psychology, is an effective technique for managing cognitive load. The breaks have been shown to trigger attention and performance enhancement (Lee et al., 2017).

Practical Tip: Implement the Pomodoro Technique using a timer. Every four attempts, schedule a longer break between 15 and 30 minutes.

Read More: How to boost your productivity with Pomodoro Technique

4. Mix It Up: Interleaved Practice

Interleaved practice involves studying multiple topics or skills in one session instead of focusing on just one. Though it feels harder initially, research by Rohrer & Taylor in 2007 shows it leads to better long-term retention and problem-solving skills, Dr. Nate Kornell describes interleaving as a way to simulate the real-world conditions under which you’ll use the knowledge:

“Mixing things up challenges your brain to constantly adapt, making learning more robust.”

Practical Tip: Switch it up by covering different topics or types of problems in a single study session. Spend 15 minutes on math problems, 15 minutes on history, and then try the math questions again.

5. Sleep: The Ultimate Study Hack

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, the process where short-term memories are converted into long-term ones. Studies by Walker and Stickgold (2010) show that sleep not only strengthens memories but also enhances problem-solving abilities and creativity.

“Sleep is your superpower for learning. It’s during sleep that your brain replays and integrates the information you’ve acquired.”

Practical Tip: Do not cram past midnight. Study in the evening and get a full 7–9 hours of sleep before an exam.

Read More: The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Health and Well-being

6. Use Mnemonics and Visualization

Mnemonics are memory aids that make learning more engaging. Techniques like acronyms, rhymes, or the method of loci (associating information with locations) capitalise on the brain’s affinity for patterns and visual imagery.

Bellezza 1981 found that mnemonic aids do indeed increase recall. Another technique, visualisation can also be used to improve comprehension and retention. This is supported by the research of Paivio’s dual coding theory which postulates that both sensory imagery and verbal information are used to represent learned information.

Tip for Application: Create vivid mental images or associate ideas with concrete objects. Try using mnemonics like “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” to remember the planets in order – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

7. Concentrate, Don’t Multitask

While the appeal of multitasking may be tremendous, research from cognitive psychology shows that it damages learning. A 2018 study by Junco and Cotten showed that students who multitasked during study sessions got lower test scores as compared to those who focused on one task at a time.

“When you switch tasks, your brain experiences a cognitive cost. This makes learning less efficient and more fragmented.”

Practical Tip: Turn off notifications, place your cell phone on airplane mode, and permit yourself to a designated place at a specific time to focus on study.

8. Study with Others (but Wisely)

Group study can be beneficial to find a deeper understanding of a concept if done appropriately. Teaching others (Feynman technique) or discussing a tricky problem will often require you to process information at a higher level. Group study can be very distracting unless you limit your contact with your peers.

“Peer learning enables the student to realize where they are weak and learn from the views and thoughts of others.”

Practical Tip: Use study groups for debates or peer teaching but do solo studies for intense practice.

9. Managing Stress Well

Under much stress, one can suffer memory loss and other impairments of cognition. Mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can serve to reduce stress levels. According to Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of mindfulness-based stress management:

“Mindfulness focuses your thinking on the here and now, eliminating worry and bringing clarity.”

Practical Tip: Set aside 5-10 minutes every day to engage in mindfulness or guided relaxation activities.

Read More: Stress Management Strategies for Healthier life

Studying effectively means not working harder, but wiser. Using psychology-based techniques can make all the difference by maximising the output of study sessions and eradicating unnecessary stress. Keep in mind that it is about progress, not perfection.