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Why Only Repetition Is the Answer to Acing Exams

Updated: Nov 9, 2023

Just as we don't deny the fact that the sky is blue and earth is round, reptition being the key to acing exams is an undeniable truth. Without delving into the whole short-term and long-term memory, we know that information tends to stick better the more times you repeat it. So think back to the times when you got annoyed with your teachers repeating things, and be grateful for them because they might just have known the secret to helping you succeed.


Now in the big scheme of things, we have class or lecture notes provided by our teachers. Then, we can construct our own notes based on those with two objectives: one is to predict which important info will show up on a test and write them down. Two is to visualize and understand the concepts for the first time (this part doesn't count as actual studying. It's a "familiarizing" process). This is why investing a fair amount of time making a good set of notes is important because you will constantly come back to them to study the material.


Once you've constructed your own set of notes, divide up how much of the notes you will go through per day until you go through the whole thing (setting it by unit or chapter is what I recommend to my students). This will officially be your first time actually studying the material. This is also where you'll be highlighting and underlining the more important info you want to remember.


Then, you're left to go through the entire notes 2nd time over (again dividing up chapters or units to study per day), paying attention to the highlights you've made previously. By this point you should feel ready to comfortably take the exam. Depending on how much time you have, you can repeat this process one more time to really consolidate what you know.


Now, only through repetition can you regurgitate what you know on the exams, especially if they involve written components as well (even if it's all multiple choice, get in the habit of going over the notes 2-3 times).

General rule of thumb is the more repetition you undertake, the higher your marks will get.


Below is the sequential study process you should incorporate for every test:

Teacher's lecture notes --> your own notes --> 1st time studying your notes (highlight, underline) --> 2nd time over --> 3rd time over (if time allowed)






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