According to a 2022 survey by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, 69% of post-secondary students reported feeling overwhelming anxiety during exam season.. While cramming might help with short-term memorization, it doesn’t build the deep understanding needed to tackle complex exam questions. Worse, sleep deprivation from last-minute study sessions further reduces cognitive function, making it harder to recall key concepts under pressure.
So, what actually works? Smart preparation, structured study habits, and the right resources. Instead of panicked late-night reading, effective exam preparation involves spaced learning, active recall, and quality study materials. Here’s how to prepare the right way and make sure you walk into your next exam feeling confident—not overwhelmed.
Know the Exam Before You Study for It
Studying without understanding what you’re up against is like preparing for a marathon without knowing the distance. Before you even open a textbook, take time to break down the exam format.
Most universities and high schools in Canada provide detailed course syllabi, which outline:
- The topics covered
- The weight of each section
- The types of questions (multiple-choice, essays, problem-solving)
Why does this matter? Because not all sections are worth the same number of marks. If essay questions make up 50% of the grade, but you’ve only been reviewing multiple-choice questions, you’re setting yourself up for a rough exam day.
Another underrated study tool? Past exams. Schools like McGill, UBC, and the University of Toronto often release sample tests that show question patterns and common themes. These aren’t just practice—they give you insight into what professors prioritize.
Instead of guessing what to focus on, use the available resources to study strategically. It’s not about studying harder—it’s about studying smarter.
Use Memory Techniques That Actually Work
Reading your notes over and over? That’s one of the least effective ways to study. Research shows that passive reading has poor retention rates compared to active recall and spaced repetition.
Active Recall: Train Your Brain to Retrieve Information
Instead of passively reviewing notes, force yourself to remember key concepts without looking at them. Some of the best ways to do this include:
- Self-quizzing – Cover your notes and try to recall key facts before checking.
- Explaining concepts out loud – If you can teach it, you truly understand it.
- Flashcards – Apps like Anki and Quizlet use algorithms to help with long-term retention.
One study found that students who quizzed themselves instead of re-reading performed up to 50% better on exams. That’s a huge difference with minimal extra effort.
Spaced Repetition: Stop Forgetting What You Learn
If you review material once and don’t revisit it, you’ll likely forget 80% of it within a week (thanks to something called the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve). Spaced repetition solves this by refreshing information at increasing intervals:
- Day 1: Study new material
- Day 3: Review briefly
- Day 7: Test yourself again
- Day 14: Final review
This technique strengthens memory over time, without requiring more hours of study.
Using High-Quality Study Materials for Effective Learning
Not all study resources are created equal. If you’re only relying on your own notes or the standard course textbook, you might be missing out on more effective study materials that can enhance understanding and retention.
Why Good Study Materials Matter
A well-organized study guide or set of lecture notes isn’t just about convenience—it directly impacts how well you grasp a subject. Research from the University of Waterloo found that students who used structured summaries and concept-based study materials performed significantly better on exams than those who relied solely on freehand notes or rereading textbooks.
Where to Find Reliable Study Resources in Canada
- University learning centres – Most universities, including McMaster, UBC, and the University of Toronto, offer free study resources and subject-specific help.
- Open-access academic databases – Websites like Scholar’s Portal (run by Ontario universities) provide free access to research papers and study resources.
- Online student communities – Platforms where students share lecture notes, study guides, and exam prep materials can be a game-changer.
For example, online platforms, such as Studocu, allow students to access peer-reviewed study guides and lecture summaries that help simplify difficult concepts. Having structured notes written by students who previously took the course makes a huge difference when reviewing dense material.
Instead of spending hours trying to reformat your own notes, using curated study resources can help you absorb more information in less time. The key is to choose resources that align with your course content and exam expectations.
How to Build a Study Schedule That Works
Many students think they don’t have enough time to study. But in reality, most people have enough hours—they just don’t use them effectively. A good study plan isn’t about squeezing in long, exhausting sessions; it’s about creating structured, focused study periods that improve learning.
Breaking Study Time Into Manageable Blocks
One of the biggest mistakes students make is attempting to study for hours on end without breaks. Research from Simon Fraser University suggests that study sessions of 25-50 minutes followed by short breaks maximize focus and retention.
A few effective techniques:
- The Pomodoro Technique – Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, then repeat.
- The 50/10 Rule – Study for 50 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to refresh.
- Task-Based Studying – Instead of setting time-based goals, set learning goals (e.g., “review two chapters” rather than “study for an hour”).
Why Sleep is a Key Part of the Plan
Cramming until 2 AM might feel productive, but it’s actually counterproductive. According to the National Sleep Foundation, high school students (ages 14-17) need about eight to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Sleep helps with memory consolidation, meaning that what you study today will stick better if you get proper rest. If you’re sacrificing sleep for study time, you’re hurting your own recall ability—and that could cost you marks.
The Role of Practice Tests and Mock Exams
Practice exams aren’t just a way to test what you know—they actively improve long-term retention and exam performance. According to research, students who regularly take practice tests score higher than those who only review notes.
Why Practice Testing Works
- Identifies weak areas – Instead of assuming you know a topic, practice tests reveal where you need improvement.
- Reduces exam anxiety – Familiarity with exam-style questions helps students feel more prepared and confident.
- Improves time management – Simulating real test conditions helps students pace themselves properly.
Where to Find Practice Exams in Canada
- University archives – Many Canadian institutions, including UBC, McGill, and Queen’s University, provide past exams as study resources.
- Course-specific websites – Some professors upload past exams or sample questions online.
- Study groups – Collaborating with peers to create and answer mock exams can improve recall and understanding.
If an exam is open book, it’s still beneficial to practice without notes first. Relying too much on textbooks during the test slows you down—knowing key concepts beforehand makes retrieving information faster.
Smarter Note-Taking for Better Retention
Not all notes are useful. Some students write everything down, turning their notebooks into a cluttered mess of information they’ll never revisit. Others barely take notes at all, thinking they’ll remember everything later (spoiler: they won’t). The key? Structured note-taking methods that help organize and reinforce what you learn.
The Best Note-Taking Methods
The Cornell Method (For Structured Review)
- Divide your page into three sections: notes, key points, and a summary.
- Forces you to actively engage with material instead of just copying.
- Works well for essay-based subjects like history, sociology, and law.
Mind Mapping (For Visual Learners)
- Best for subjects with complex connections, like biology or business.
- Helps with understanding relationships between concepts instead of memorizing lists.
Digital vs. Handwritten Notes: Which is Better?
According to a study from Princeton University, students who take handwritten notes retain more information than those who type. Why? Because handwriting forces deeper processing, whereas typing tends to lead to shallow transcription.
That said, digital tools have their place. Apps like OneNote and Notion make it easy to organize and search notes, while tablet users can benefit from handwritten digital notes with stylus integration. The best approach? A mix of both—handwritten notes for deep learning, digital tools for easy access.
Managing Stress and Staying Focused
It’s impossible to perform well on exams if stress is running the show. Too much pressure leads to burnout, poor concentration, and anxiety, making it harder to recall even the things you do know. The good news? Stress management isn’t about eliminating stress entirely—it’s about controlling it.
What Science Says About Stress and Performance
A moderate level of stress can actually be beneficial—it boosts focus and motivation. But too much? That’s when performance crashes.
A study from McGill University found that students with high cortisol levels (the stress hormone) performed significantly worse on memory-based tasks than those with moderate levels.
The trick is to stay in the optimal stress zone—enough pressure to stay motivated, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.
How to Keep Exam Stress Under Control
- Break study sessions into small goals – Completing a chapter is less intimidating than “study for five hours.”
- Exercise – Even a 20-minute walk can reduce stress and boost focus.
- Breathing techniques – Deep breathing (like the 4-7-8 method) can lower heart rate and calm nerves.
- Know when to step away – If you’re rereading the same paragraph without absorbing anything, it’s time for a break.
University Resources for Mental Health Support
Many Canadian universities have free mental health support available for students. Institutions like UBC, the University of Alberta, and Ryerson offer counselling services, stress-management workshops, and mindfulness programs designed specifically for students dealing with exam pressure.
If stress is affecting focus, reaching out for help isn’t a weakness—it’s a strategy for success.
Final Thoughts: Study Smarter, Not Harder
Cramming is a short-term fix with long-term consequences. If you want real academic success, it comes down to building the right habits early.
- Use active recall and spaced repetition instead of passive reading.
- Tap into high-quality study materials to streamline revision.
- Plan a study schedule that includes breaks (and sleep!).
- Take care of your mental well-being—a clear mind leads to better performance.
The key takeaway? Exams aren’t about who studies the most—they’re about who studies the best. With the right strategies in place, acing your exams is completely within reach.
