As finals season approaches, TikToks about studying have been flooding my feed, with students of all ages sharing their go-to techniques for acing tests. But do these viral hacks actually work? I tested a few popular ones to see if they’re worth the hype or just a waste of time.
Blurting Method: 6/10
The blurting method is a memory recall technique where students write down everything they can remember about a topic without looking at their notes. The idea is to “blurt out” as much as possible, then go back using a different pen color, and add to the information. It’s a way to test how well one has internalized the content.
I used this method to study for my AP World History class. Before reviewing anything, I wrote down as much as I could about the topic. It was surprising how much I retained, but also humbling to see what I missed when I checked my notes afterward.
This method made it clear which topics I needed to focus on, but it didn’t provide guidance on how to study the areas I was unfamiliar with. I’d recommend this method as a quick self-assessment to see what areas of focus are, but not for heavy memorization.
3Q3R Method: 6/10
The 3Q3R method is a step-by-step process specifically designed for textbook study. It includes five phases: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.
In the Survey phase, students skim the material to get an overall sense of its structure. Students note down key terms, headings, and summaries to form a mental framework.
Next, in the Question phase, students reflect on their brief survey and create specific questions about the content in general. These questions focus on critical information, asking things like, “What are the main points of this chapter?” or “How does this relate to prior concepts?”
During the Read phase, students conduct a thorough review of the content, with an emphasis on answering the formulated questions.
After completion of the reading, the Recite phase requires key points to be recalled from memory without referencing the text, allowing comprehension and retention to be tested.
Finally, the Review phase reinforces learning by returning to notes or summaries, ensuring retention of information for the long term.
This technique offers a structured approach suitable for reading-heavy subjects, though the multiple phases may create a time-intensive process, particularly challenging for students facing tight deadlines. Comprehensive coverage is provided, yet the approach may be less ideal for students needing quicker review sessions.
Feynman Method: 10/10
The Feynman Method encourages teaching a concept to someone else, whether it’s another person or even an inanimate object. By explaining the material in simple terms, gaps in understanding become evident, allowing for deeper comprehension.
The premise is that the ability to clearly and simply explain a concept indicates mastery of the subject. This technique forces the learner to break down complex ideas, reinforcing their understanding while making the process more interactive and engaging.
To test this method, I attempted to explain an AP World History unit about land-based empires to my younger sibling. Surprisingly, the explanation sparked genuine interest, leading to insightful questions about the material. Questions like “how” and “why” challenged my understanding and exposed areas that required further review. When I looked back into my notes, I knew exactly what I needed to review, or search up answers for further research.
This reflective process mirrors the critical thinking questions often asked by teachers, making it a valuable study tool. The method not only strengthened my grasp of the material but also transformed studying into a more enjoyable experience.
Active Recall: 7/10
Similar to the blurting method, active recall is designed to test how well information is retained by retrieving it from memory rather than re-reading. After reviewing a textbook or notes, the key is to write down everything remembered, then return to the material and review what was missed.
By repeatedly recalling information and gradually filling in the gaps, memory pathways are strengthened. The process of consistently pulling information out rather than putting it in encourages long-term retention.
However, this technique can become tedious and repetitive when trying to tackle more difficult concepts, and it doesn’t always address deeper understanding. It is great for history classes because every time you forget something that happened, it’s an easy way to check your understanding. For more technical classes like chemistry and math, though, this method wouldn’t work very well.
Associate Method: 0/10
The association method ties studying to your five senses. You might associate a specific scent or sound with certain information, or use visuals to reinforce what you’re learning. The goal is to engage multiple senses, which makes the material more memorable.
I decided to try this method for my math test. I only studied when chewing on watermelon gum, playing classical music, and with lavender candles. While I appreciated my room smelling amazing, this technique did nothing for my studying.. Even when I chewed the same flavor of watermelon gum during my test, none of the information was “more memorable” for me.
Pomodoro technique: 7/10
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method where you study for 25 minutes, take a five-minute break, and then repeat. After a few rounds, the study sessions get longer, as do the breaks.
As someone who loves procrastinating and hates reading Shakespeare, this method really helped me get my work done and stay on task. The built-in breaks prevented burnout, and the time limits gave me a sense of urgency.
Every time I was about to pick up my phone and start scrolling, I would see the timer and make myself put my phone back down. I also liked that the technique could be adapted to longer study sessions when needed. I’d recommend this to any procrastinators as a way to ensure concentration.
Scribble Method: 0/10
The Scribble Method involves doodling or scribbling on a piece of paper while studying, with the promise of improved concentration. However, numerous challenges arose when I attempted this technique.
The paper often crinkled and shifted, making it difficult to maintain a stable surface for scribbling. This distraction detracted from the study process rather than enhancing it. While the method suggests that doodling can help reinforce learning, the reality was that the focus shifted away from the material being studied.
Instead of aiding concentration, it led to more random drawings than meaningful engagement with the content. This method proved ineffective, as my mind wandered too far from the subject matter, making it hard to retain information.
Spaced repetition: 2/10
Spaced repetition relies on reviewing material at increasing intervals over time. Instead of cramming all at once, this technique emphasizes returning to the topic at regular intervals, which helps the brain become accustomed to retrieving information. The effectiveness of spaced repetition lies in its ability to reinforce memory by revisiting content just as it is about to be forgotten, effectively combating the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve.
The problem with this study technique is that it requires lots of dedication and needs to be used over a long course of time. The problem I ran into was that new material was being taught each day as it gets closer to test day, which ultimately defeats the purpose of the technique.
