Massed Learning vs.

Spaced Learning

Four rules for writing exams successfully:

1. Be prepared.

2. Be physically healthy.

3. Be mentally healthy.

4. Take in no new material the night before an exam.

Massed Learning

You have an exam on Monday and you plan to use the Massed Learning approach,
better known as cramming. If you follow this method of study, you break the above four
rules for success. Cramming for 10 hours reduces your level of physical and mental
fitness the day of the exam. Cramming may increase your anxiety level because the
new material you have studied could confuse you and give you the message that you
don't know anything.

Spaced Learning

• Spread your 10 hours of studying over a 7 day period.

• Break up material into smaller chunks.
• Study in two hour blocks, taking a 10 minute break every hour.
• Overview material on the first day you study for each subject.
• Begin each study session with a twenty-minute review of the previous day's work.
(Reviewing each session means that you will go over the material four times -
see the example on the next page.)
• Study for two hours on alternate days. The day in between gives you a chance to
go over any material that is troubling you, spacing the material out in this way
gives you time to actually integrate the material instead of just memorizing it.
• Review all material on the last day you study for each subject.

The main points to remember when planning your studies:

1. Begin preparing well in advance of the exam.

2. Break your studying into "achievable" tasks.

3. Review the material you have trouble with as often as possible.

Massed Learning 2
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

EXAM

12:00 p.m.

10 hours
devoted to
study of
Chapters 1, 2, 3

10:00 p.m.

Spaced Learning

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

EXAM

2 hours 2 hours
Overview Review
chapters chapters
1 1
2 2
3

2 hours Select
2 hours Review questions
In-depth chapters
study of 1
chapter 1 2

Select In-depth Ritual

questions study of End of review
2 hours chapter 3
Review No new material
chapter 1 Select
questions
In-depth Warm shower
study of
chapter 2 Warm drink

Select SLEEP
questions