How To Improve Memory & Recall Answers for Tests and Exams

You've been grinding through attending lectures, feverishly highlighting textbooks, and pulling late-night study sessions fueled by caffeine and fun music vibes. But when it comes time for the test, your brain suddenly hits a 404 Page Not Found error.

Here's the deal: working hard is great, but if you're not giving your brain the tools to remember and retrieve what you've learned, you're just spinning your wheels. Your memory might not be as legendary as an elephant's (seriously, they never forget), but with the right strategies and study habits, you can train your brain to lock in information and recall it like an elephant.

How Memory Works: 

A Quick Breakdown

Short-Term Memory

Like your phone clipboard—it holds info for a short while but deletes it fast.


Example: Cramming the night before the test? You're stuck here.

Working Memory

Your brain's “scratchpad” for actively processing and juggling information.


Example: Solving problems, taking notes, and keeping track of details during class.

Long-Term Memory

Your brainʼs permanent storage for concepts, facts, and skills.


Goal: Move info from short-term/working memory into long-term memory so
you can recall it during tests.

Test-Taking Tip: Don't overwhelm your brain.....Repeated review of small chunks over time, and active engagement (like quizzing yourself) are how you get information to “stick” in long-term memory for exam day....remember, trying to cram right before means the information gets lost because it is only in short term memory!

The key is to organize and actively encode

what you're learning. Here's How:

Memory Techniques & Quick Examples

Acrostics

  • Make up a funny sentence where the first letter of each word cues something important.


  • Example: “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” = Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars...).

Acronyms

  • Create a memorable word from the first letters of the material.


  • Example: HOMES for the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior).

Create a Chart

  • Organize key info into tables or diagrams.


  • Example: Venn diagrams for comparisons or charts for pros/cons lists.

Make Important Facts Stand Out

  • Highlight, bold, or write big key terms. Add visuals, emojis, or symbols to make them pop on the page.

Group Into Chunks

  • Break info into smaller “chunks” like phone numbers: 123-456-7890.

  • Why? Your brain processes small groups of information better than long, unbroken lists.

Visualization

  • Turn facts into mental images. The weirder or funnier, the better!

Memory Strategies for
Neurodivergent Learners:

For Auditory Learners
  • Record lectures or read notes aloud and listen back.
  • Use rhymes, chants, or songs to memorize material.
  • Teach it out loud to someone else (or pretend to).
For Visual Learners
  • Use color coding, charts, and diagrams to organize notes.
  • Make flashcards with visuals, like symbols or doodles.
  • Watch videos or use visual apps (like mind-mapping tools).
For Kinesthetic Learners
  • Write notes by hand while pacing or standing.
  • Use physical objects (like flashcards or models) to act out concepts.
  • Pair movement with studying: tap your foot or toss a ball while reviewing facts.
Questions?
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