Techniques for exam success

Realizing at exam time that your memory has not stored the information you need to answer the questions is one of the most frustrating experiences you can face during your studies.

MasterPen has made sure that you do not find yourself in this unpleasant position and presents you with the most effective techniques for memorizing information.

These techniques will stimulate your brain's natural learning and memory potential. They will boost your confidence, relieve you of stress and you will be able to prepare effectively and succeed in the exams.

To understand how memorization techniques work, we need to know the basics of memory. Think of memory as being like a computer with four important steps: encoding, organizing, storing, and finding files.

Encoding: When you pay attention to the information you study and find it interesting, the more likely you are to store it in your memory.
Organize (Consolidate): In the second step, your brain organizes the information, like sorting files into folders. This process mostly happens while you sleep, where your brain replays and organizes what you've learned, making sure it's neat and organized.
Finding (Retrieval): In the third step, your brain stores organized information in different places. Short-term memory is likened to a sticky note – in which information is kept for a short time, and long-term memory is like a huge library where you can store things for a long time.
Finally, when you need this information, your brain "finds" it by following the previous steps. Sometimes, you might need a little hint, like a keyword, to help you find what you're looking for.

Techniques for sure exam success

Read a page from your notes or book.
Close the book and try to recall as much information as you can
Write down what you remember. Record information by hand, not on the computer. Researchers have found that writing information by hand is more effective than typing for learning concepts. Because it takes more time to write by hand, you are naturally forced to be more selective with what you write and focus only on the essential information.
Connect facts and information to things you already know.
Re-read your notes or textbook and check how much you remember.
Read aloud. When you need to remember new information, it's helpful to read it out loud. One study found that the dual action of speaking and hearing ourselves speak helps words and phrases in long-term memory. This study, among other things, confirms that memory benefits from active participation.
Do practice. Practice over and over again, either by writing or reading aloud.
Take breaks. Studies have shown that spaced repetition – spacing learning over a longer period of time – is a more effective way to memorize information than trying to cram a lot of information into your brain in a short amount of time.
Use the information. Apply techniques to actively process what you've learned, using it instead of just memorizing it. A popular method here is to teach what you've learned to someone else. This will help you understand the information from different angles so you can learn to handle it in different ways.
Repeat following different routes. Forget the good old method of passive repetition and change route every time you repeat. Be sure to resist the temptation to go back to passively reading over your notes – there are better ways to incorporate repetition into your study process. For example, rewrite your notes several times, shortening them slightly each time you repeat. This is an age-old method to increase your knowledge of the subject as well as actively reduce the amount you have to cram into your brain. You can also try writing your notes in a different order. Reorganization has been repeatedly shown to increase long-term memory and help students apply what they've learned more flexibly.
Laying. While reducing notes is a great exercise, it's not the only way. Some students find they learn better by reversing this process, using a layering technique. This method works by first learning the most basic facts about a topic, building a foundation of knowledge that is easily remembered. Then you add more complex information, incorporating details and potentially weirder elements into the memory structure that is formed. When it comes to memorization, there is no one size fits all. Experiment and see what works best for you.

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