Ever revised for hours, only to blank out the next day or in the exam? You’re not alone. Forgetting is completely normal — it’s how the brain works. But if revision never seems to stick, the problem isn’t you. It’s the method.
Here’s why your revision might not be working — and how to fix it.
You’re Only Re-Reading Notes
What’s happening:
Re-reading or highlighting tricks your brain into thinking you know the content because it looks familiar. But exams don’t test recognition, they test recall.
Example:
You re-read your chemistry notes on bonding three times. It feels fine. But when the exam asks “Explain why sodium chloride has a high melting point”, your brain stalls — because you never practised pulling the knowledge out.
Fix:
- Switch to active recall — close your notes and test yourself.
- Write down everything you can remember about a topic, then check gaps.
- Teach the content to a friend (or the wall!) — if you can explain it, you know it.
You’re Not Revisiting Topics Enough
What’s happening:
Your brain naturally forgets information over time. This is called the forgetting curve. If you revise a topic once, most of it fades within days.
Example:
You spend an hour memorising Macbeth quotes. Two weeks later, you can’t recall a single line. That’s the forgetting curve in action.
Fix:
- Use spaced repetition — review topics today, in 2 days, in 1 week, then in 2 weeks.
- Flashcards work brilliantly because they force you to revisit topics at set intervals.
- Short, regular reviews beat one long cram every time.
You’re Not Linking Knowledge Together
What’s happening:
The brain remembers connections, not isolated facts. If you revise information as random points, it’s much harder to recall under pressure.
Example:
Learning “light-dependent reactions” as a list of steps feels like juggling facts. But if you connect it to where it happens(chloroplasts), why it matters (produces ATP and NADPH), and how it links to the Calvin cycle, the knowledge sticks.
Fix:
- Create mind maps showing how topics connect.
- Compare and contrast ideas (e.g. ionic vs covalent bonding).
- Ask: “How does this topic link to something I already know?”
You’re Revising Without Exam Practice
What’s happening:
Even if you know the content, exams test how you apply it. Without practice, you’ll freeze when faced with real questions.
Example:
You memorise Macbeth quotes. The exam asks: “Explore how Shakespeare presents ambition in this extract.” Without practice, you won’t know how to shape an answer.
Fix:
- Use past papers early, not just the week before.
- Practise under timed conditions to build speed.
- Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks — learn what they’re looking for.
You’re Not Resting Properly
What’s happening:
Your brain consolidates memory while you sleep. Late-night cramming, junk food, and endless scrolling stop information from sticking.
Example:
You stay up until 2am “covering everything.” The next day, it’s gone. That’s because your brain didn’t get the chance to store it.
Fix:
- Aim for 7–8 hours sleep, especially before exams.
- Eat brain-fuel foods (fruit, nuts, whole grains) over energy drinks.
- Take real breaks: step outside, stretch, hydrate. Avoid your phone — overstimulation kills focus.
Quick Recap — Make Revision Stick
✔️ Active recall > re-reading notes
✔️ Spaced repetition > last-minute cramming
✔️ Linking topics > isolated facts
✔️ Past papers > endless highlighting
✔️ Proper rest > late-night cramming
Final Thought
If you forget everything you revise, it’s not because you can’t learn — it’s because you’re not using methods that work with your brain. Switch to active recall, revisit topics often, and practise exam-style questions. You’ll be amazed at how much more sticks.
👉 Revise Right gives you exam-board specific questions, past papers, and tools designed to help your revision finally stay in your head when it matters most.
