Preparing for university exams can be overwhelming, but with the right effective study techniques, you can maximize your performance and reduce stress. In this complete guide, we show you the best scientifically-backed study techniques for university exams in 2025.
Why Traditional Study Techniques Fail
Most students use inefficient methods without knowing it:
- Rereading: Only gives you a false sense of familiarity
- Highlighting: Can reduce deep comprehension
- Studying straight through: The brain needs breaks to consolidate information
- Cramming the night before: Short-term memory forgets quickly
Scientific research has shown that these traditional techniques have very low effectiveness. You need proven methods that actually work.
The 5 Best Scientifically Proven Study Techniques
1. Active Recall
What is it? Testing your memory actively instead of just rereading.
How it works:
- Close the book/notes
- Write or explain from memory what you learned
- Compare with original material
- Identify what you forgot and repeat
Why it works: Research by Karpicke and Blunt (2011) showed that active recall is 2-3 times more effective than rereading. Every time you retrieve information from memory, you strengthen neural connections.
Practical examples:
- Flashcards (Anki, Quizlet)
- Asking yourself questions and answering without looking at notes
- Explaining concepts out loud as if teaching
- Solving problems without seeing solutions first
2. Spaced Repetition
What is it? Studying the same material at increasing time intervals.
How it works:
- Day 1: Study new material
- Day 3: Review (first interval)
- Day 7: Review again (second interval)
- Day 14: Final review (third interval)
Why it works: Ebbinghaus's forgetting curve shows we forget information quickly. Spacing combats this by reinforcing memory just when it's about to be forgotten. Studies show spacing can double long-term retention.
Recommended tools:
- Anki (flashcard system with automatic spacing)
- Calendar for scheduling reviews
- Pomodomate for studying in 25-minute intervals
3. Interleaving
What is it? Mixing different types of problems or topics in one study session.
How it works:
Instead of studying: Math → Math → Math
Study: Math → History → Math → History
Why it works: Interleaving forces your brain to distinguish between different problem types, improving deep understanding. A study by Rohrer and Taylor (2007) found students who used interleaving scored 25% better on exams.
When to use it:
- When studying multiple subjects
- When solving different types of problems
- When you want to improve knowledge transfer
4. Elaborative Interrogation
What is it? Asking yourself "Why?" and "How?" questions about material you're studying.
How it works:
- Don't just memorize: "Photosynthesis produces oxygen"
- Ask: "Why does photosynthesis produce oxygen?"
- Ask: "How does this process work step by step?"
- Connect with prior knowledge: "What other biological processes are similar?"
Why it works: Elaboration creates deeper connections in memory. When you explain the "why" and "how", you activate more brain areas and create multiple access routes to information.
Examples:
- Explaining concepts as if teaching someone else
- Making concept maps connecting ideas
- Creating analogies and metaphors
- Asking "what would happen if...?"
5. Distributed Practice with Pomodoro Technique
What is it? Combining distributed study over time with focused 25-minute sessions.
How it works:
- Study for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro) with total focus
- Rest 5 minutes (crucial for consolidation)
- Repeat cycle 3-4 times
- After 4 Pomodoros, take a long break of 15-30 minutes
Why it works: Pomodoro technique respects natural attention cycles (20-45 minutes). Breaks allow the brain to consolidate information. Combined with distributed practice (studying over days/weeks), it maximizes retention.
Recommended tool: Pomodomate - Free best Pomodoro timer designed specifically for students.
Create an Effective Study Plan
Step 1: Exam Calendar
Create a calendar with all your exam dates. Work backwards from each date to plan study sessions.
Step 2: Divide Material
Divide each subject into manageable topics. Each topic should be studied in multiple sessions using spacing.
Step 3: Plan Sessions
Use Pomodoro technique to structure sessions:
- Morning: 4 Pomodoros (2 hours) - Subject A
- Afternoon: 4 Pomodoros (2 hours) - Subject B
- Evening: Flashcard review (30 min)
Step 4: Include Reviews
Schedule reviews using spacing:
- Day 1: Initial study
- Day 3: First review
- Day 7: Second review
- Day 14: Review before exam
Techniques by Exam Type
Multiple Choice Exams
- Active Recall: Create practice questions
- Elimination: Practice eliminating wrong answers
- Keywords: Identify keywords in questions
- Mock exams: Take timed practice exams
Essay Exams
- Outlines: Create outlines of possible topics
- Writing practice: Write practice essays
- Structure memorization: Learn essay structures
- Key arguments: Memorize main arguments and examples
Problem Exams (Math, Physics, etc.)
- Active practice: Solve problems without seeing solutions
- Interleaving: Mix different problem types
- Step-by-step process: Understand each step, not just the answer
- Challenging problems: Practice problems harder than the exam
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Cramming the night before: Memory needs time to consolidate
- Passive rereading: Doesn't effectively strengthen memory
- Multitasking: Significantly reduces study quality
- Ignoring sleep: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation
- Studying without breaks: Breaks improve retention
- No active practice: Just reading isn't enough
Recommended Tools for Students
For Time Management
- Pomodomate: Free Pomodoro timer with statistics
- Google Calendar: Plan study sessions
- Todoist: Task and deadline management
For Active Recall
- Anki: Flashcards with automatic spacing
- Quizlet: Flashcards and study games
- Brainscape: Smart flashcards
For Notes and Organization
- Notion: Notes, databases and organization
- Obsidian: Linked notes for deep knowledge
- OneNote: Notes organized by subjects
Conclusion: The Perfect System
The best study techniques combine:
- Active Recall: To actively retrieve information
- Spaced Repetition: To retain information long-term
- Pomodoro Technique: For focused sessions and effective breaks
- Elaboration: For deep understanding
- Interleaving: For better knowledge transfer
Action plan:
- Choose 2-3 techniques from this list
- Implement a study system with Pomodomate
- Create a study calendar with spacing
- Practice active recall daily
- Review and adjust after each exam
Ready to improve your study techniques? Use Pomodomate free to structure your study sessions with Pomodoro technique and maximize your exam performance.
Remember: consistency is more important than intensity. Studying 2 hours daily for 2 weeks is better than studying 10 hours the day before the exam.
