How to Cram Effectively for an Exam

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Justin Sung, Learning Coach & Head at iCanStudy
• Purpose: Teach efficient cramming techniques for exams in a short period.
• Disclaimer: Not encouraging cramming but acknowledging it as a skill.

Why Three Days?

• Personal story: Forgot about a paper during medical school, crammed in 3 days, resulting in a C+.
• The exam was fact-recall heavy, allowing rote memorization to suffice.
• The danger of cramming: Changes in exam format can affect effectiveness.

Strategy for Effective Cramming

Understand Your Position

• Recognize that cramming puts you at a disadvantage; you must be strategic.
• Realistically assess your expectations (you might not score very high).

Think Like an Examiner

• Exam Question Frameworks: Bloom’s taxonomy or SOLO taxonomy.
• Question Levels: Low, Mid, High Order:
  • Low Order: Fact recall, isolated knowledge.
  • Mid Order: Comparison and analysis.
  • High Order: Evaluation, significance, and integration.

Focus on Learning Objectives

• Institutions often test based on learning objectives.
• Objectives can guide your study priorities.
• Key terms in objectives (e.g., "describe" vs. "evaluate") can indicate required mastery level.

Logic and Deduction in Cramming

• Use logical reasoning to fill knowledge gaps with surrounding information.
• Logic Points: Evaluate the value of information based on its ability to help deduce other information.
  • High Logic Points: Major concepts and principles.
  • Low Logic Points: Specific, isolated details.

Hyper Cramming Strategy

1. Day 1:

   • Spend 1-2 hours identifying learning objectives and their testing levels.
   • Focus on high logic point information across lectures.
   • Skip low-relevance lectures initially.

2. Day 2:

   • Review skipped content from Day 1 focusing on mid-level logic points.
   • Continue through lectures filling gaps.

3. Day 3:

   • Identify glaring knowledge gaps based on objectives and levels.
   • Rote memorize necessary details using flashcards or memory techniques.

Tips for Exam Day

• Expect uncertainty; rely on enhanced deduction skills.
• Increased probability of choosing correct answers through logical reasoning.

Additional Resources

• Guided Learning Program: Comprehensive training for efficient learning available at iCanStudy.com.

Benefits Beyond Cramming

• Improves deep processing and discernment of information.
• Use the same approach for extended study periods by adjusting duration of each phase.