Study Tip: Testing Yourself Beats Reading Again

To my surprising fact. In one well-known study these days is 84 percent of students said they study by reading their notes or textbook again and again. But according to my recent research says another method works better for memory by testing yourself.

Quick answer: After you read a topic over and over, close the book and try to write or say what you remember. Then check your notes and fix your mistakes. Do this for few days, not only the night like before. Past questions are also the easiest way to practice this.

Why does rereading feel good but work badly?

When you read the same page over and over again, it feels easy. Your brain assured, “I know this.” But feeling that you know something is not the same as being able to remember it in the examination hall.

A page from Vermont State University explains to us that a study where we keep reading was the most common study method. The same page explains the “testing effect”: trying to pull information out of your head helps you keep it longer than just putting it in again. Another tutorial from Colby College says students who only keep reading often do worse than they expect.

Some students who take practice tests and practical always do better than they expect in the exam hall.

What is self-testing?

It is very simple as ABC. You read first then try to remember first, and you look at the answer after. But you can test yourself in many ways:

• Past questions. This is the best one for JAMB, WAEC and NECO candidates.
• Blank page. Close your book and write everything you remember about a topic. Then check it you correct pr mistake.
• Flashcards. Question on one side, answer on the other.
• Teach a friend. Explain the topic aloud without notes. Where you get stuck is your weak point.
• Make your own questions. Writing questions makes you think about what matters.

Spread your study over many days

The other good and easy method is spacing. This means you study a topic, leave it for one or two days and come back to it. It is better than studying one topic for six hours and never seeing it again. The Colby College tutorial also lists practice testing and spread-out study as two of the most useful characters based on a well-known review of study methods.

A simple weekly plan for JAMB or WAEC

1. Monday: Learn a new topic. Make short notes.
2. Tuesday: Test yourself on Monday’s topic with 10 past questions. Mark them.
3. Wednesday: Learn another topic.
4. Thursday: Test yourself on Wednesday’s topic. Then test yourself again on Monday’s topic.
5. Friday: Do a mixed set from all the topics so far.
6. Saturday: Fix the questions you got wrong. Write the correct answer in your own words.
7. Sunday: Rest. Your brain needs it.

How many weeks do you have?

If the UTME holds on 15 March 2027, as the Federal Government has proposed, you have exactly 18 weeks from today. See our post on the 2027 exam timetable. Eighteen weeks is enough if you start now and stay steady.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Highlighting everything. It feels like work, but you only colour the page.
• Copying notes word for word. Write in your own words.
• Studying with your phone beside you. Put it in another room.
• Skipping sleep. You remember better after good sleep.
• Looking at the answer too fast. Try first, even if you are not sure.

How to make your own questions

You do not need a big book of questions. After you study a topic, write five questions that a teacher could ask. Use these starters:

• What is …?
• Why does … happen?
• What is the difference between … and …?
• Give one example of …
• What are the steps to …?

Put the questions away. After one day, try to answer them without looking. Mark yourself. This turns every topic into a small test.

An example with Biology

Say you studied photosynthesis. Instead of reading the page again, close the book and try these:

1. Write the word equation from memory.
2. Draw the leaf and label where the process happens.
3. Explain in two sentences why plants need light.

Now open your notes and check. The parts you missed are the parts to study again tomorrow. This takes ten minutes, and it works.

Tips for different subjects

• Mathematics and Physics: Do problems without looking at the worked answer first or by checking each step.
• English: Practise comprehension and grammar questions, and write short synopsis from memory.
• Literature: Without opening the book, write the characters, themes and key events. Then check.
• Government and History: Make a timeline from memory and fix the dates you forgot.

Frequently asked questions

Is rereading always bad?

No, It’s fine to read a topic the first time or to keep reading a part you did not understand. It is only bad as your main method.

How many past questions should I do?

Start with only 10 to 20 per topic. Then do full papers closer to your exam.

What if I get many wrong?

Wow, that is good news. It shows you where you need to develop yourself because mistakes in practice cost nothing.

How long should one study session be?

Many students do well with 45 to 60 minutes, followed by a short break. Stop if you cannot focus.

Is group study good?

Yes, if you ask each other questions. It is not good if you only talk about other things.

Use this with our JAMB guides and WAEC and NECO guides. More in our study tips.