Should My Child Make Study Notes or Revision Cards?

Asked by Anonymous on our Parent Webinar Series.

This isn’t a "one or the other" question as both methods achieve different outcomes:

Note-Making: Building Understanding

The primary role of note-making is to aid understanding. While it does help with memory retention, the core reason for taking notes is to consolidate and clarify information being studied.

Why Note-Taking Matters:

• Active Engagement: Writing notes forces students to process and summarise the material, making it easier to comprehend.

• Foundation for Study: Well-crafted notes provide a roadmap for revision and memorisation later.

For a deeper dive into note-making techniques, explore our Crash Course on Note-Making.

Memorisation & Revision Cards: Strengthening Recall

After building understanding through note-taking, the next step is memorisation, especially before an exam. This is where students focus on retaining information for easy recall.

This is where many students will undertake rote learning. This is where they memorise their notes by reading them, turning them over, and then trying to remember what was on the page. The challenge with rote-learned information is that it isn't retained for long. This is where the importance of reinforcement comes in.

Reinforcement: Regular Reviews

Reinforcement is the process of reviewing material regularly to ensure it stays fresh in memory and isn’t forgotten. By revisiting content at specific intervals, students strengthen their understanding and long-term retention. Reinforcement can be done through:

• Rote Learning: Reading notes, covering them, and trying to recall key points.

• Quizzing: Either self-quizzing or being quizzed by a parent.

• Revision Cards: Writing important concepts on flashcards to reinforce memory.

Practice Exams: The Best of Both Worlds

Among all study methods, practice exams stand out as the most effective because they do two things simultaneously:

1. Reinforce Knowledge: Like the methods above, practice exams review and strengthen memory.

2. Develop Skills: They also teach students how to apply their knowledge under exam conditions—identifying patterns, analysing information, and constructing answers.

   
   

Exams are not simple memory tests; they require students to actively use the information they've memorised. Regular practice with past papers ensures they’re ready to do so effectively.

Final Tip

If your child prefers revision cards or rote learning, that’s perfectly fine, but don’t stop there. Always progress to practice exams to refine their ability to apply knowledge. Doing as many as possible builds confidence and highlights areas needing improvement.

For more practical strategies on getting your child exam-ready, take a look at our Exam Preparation Crash Course.