Timed practiceBasics self-testCheat sheetPlan to an exam date
What intro exams usually look like
Introductory psychology courses often test you with:
- Multiple-choice questions on key terms and classic studies.
- Short answers that describe a study: who did it, what they did, what they found.
- Applied questions that ask you to spot an idea in an everyday example.
Every course is different, so check your syllabus and past papers first.
Common exam mistakes
- Mixing up similar terms, such as classical and operant conditioning. Make a two-column table of easily confused pairs.
- Naming a study without its finding. Learn each study as "who, what they did, what they found, why it matters".
- Rereading notes instead of testing yourself. See Test yourself instead of rereading.
- Cramming the night before. See Space it out.
Ready-made revision plans
For a plan built around your own exam date and your weak spots, use the study planner. These fixed plans space your reviews out, which works better than cramming (see Space it out).
2-week plan
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Learn: Test yourself instead of rereading. |
| 2 | Learn: Space it out. |
| 3 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 4 | Learn: Mix your practice. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 5 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 6 | Learn: Focus in short sessions. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 7 | Learn: Make a study plan you will keep. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 8 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 9 | Learn: Practising speaking with an AI. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 10 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 11 | Read the revision sheet, then cover it and write down what you remember. |
| 12 | Timed practice. Note every question you missed and reread that lesson. |
| 13 | Rest day. Sleep helps memory settle. |
| 14 | Timed practice. Note every question you missed and reread that lesson. Then an early night. |
4-week plan
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Learn: Test yourself instead of rereading. |
| 2 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 3 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 4 | Learn: Space it out. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 5 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 6 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 7 | Learn: Mix your practice. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 8 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 9 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 10 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 11 | Learn: Focus in short sessions. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 12 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 13 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 14 | Learn: Make a study plan you will keep. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 15 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 16 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 17 | Learn: Practising speaking with an AI. Then redo the quiz from 3 days ago. |
| 18 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 19 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 20 | Review day: flashcards and quizzes from the last few lessons, from memory first. |
| 21 | Read the revision sheet, then cover it and write down what you remember. |
| 22 | Timed practice. Note every question you missed and reread that lesson. |
| 23 | Go over your list of misses only: reread, then redo those quizzes. |
| 24 | Rest day. Sleep helps memory settle. |
| 25 | Read the revision sheet, then cover it and write down what you remember. |
| 26 | Timed practice. Note every question you missed and reread that lesson. |
| 27 | Go over your list of misses only: reread, then redo those quizzes. |
| 28 | Timed practice. Note every question you missed and reread that lesson. Then an early night. |
These plans and lessons help you prepare. No study guide can promise a pass, this one included.