Cramming for exams has been around since the dinosaurs walked the earth (ok, maybe not quite THAT long, but it’s hardly a new concept!). The question still remains though - does cramming actually work?
In this blog, we will be discussing whether last minute cramming is the secret to success, or just setting you up for failure.
WHAT IS CRAMMING?
Let’s start off by making sure we are all on the same page with our definitions (because, let’s face it, us law students love a definition). Cramming is “the act of trying to memorize large amounts of information in a short period of time” often, as we all know, just before an exam.
SO, DOES CRAMMING ACTUALLY WORK?
Cramming may seem like an efficient way to quickly absorb information, but research shows that it is not an effective method for retaining information in the long-term. When we cram, we are merely memorising information for the short-term, and once the exam is over, the information is forgotten just as quickly.
Now this might not seem like an issue in terms of getting through your exams – and to some extent, it is not. However, unless you are not planning a career in law, you still need to know this information for your future work. It seems a bit pointless going through the stress of learning something in the first place for your exams, and then having to repeat this process in the future when you suddenly need to remember it for a job interview or in a new role. One could argue that you should surely just learn the concepts properly first time round so all you need to do in the future is a quick top-up of the details. What it really comes down to is your current priorities – if you really need to cram so that you are able to pass an exam and you left things a bit late, it’s probably best you do it!
On the other hand, consistent and spaced study over a longer period is a more effective way of retaining information and improving exam performance. This is because studying regularly helps to reinforce the information in our memory, making it easier to recall when needed. Additionally, spreading out study sessions over a longer time helps to prevent burnout and reduces stress levels. All good stuff in our eyes, and a strong argument for trying to not get into the habit of leaving your work to the last minute.
THE IMPACT ON SHORT TERM vs LONG TERM RECALL
For law students, memorisation is a critical aspect of exam preparation, as you need to be able to remember various legal cases, statutes, and regulations. The extent of this will of course depend on what level of study you are at, and how your exams are structured - the SQE for example requires you to be able to recall multiple subjects in one exam. You know now that cramming is not the best approach to retaining all the information required for your exam(s) other than in the short term.
However, if you have a short exam in one subject, you’ll likely be able to make more gains cramming than for a more complex set of exams that require a deep understanding of the application of the law across multiple topics.
So, BACK TO THE QUESTION… DOES CRAMMING WORk?
So in conclusion, while cramming may provide short-term relief, it is not an effective method of retaining information long-term. As with everything there is always a time and place where cramming is the best solution, but wherever possible you should focus on consistent and spaced study, along with active learning techniques, such as creating flashcards, summarizing key concepts, and practicing exam questions. Not only does the “slow and steady” approach improve performance, but it also helps you retain information for future use in your legal career – and that seems worth prioritising!