How To Use The Cornell Note-Taking Revision Method

Taking notes in class is one thing. Using them to revise is where many students struggle.

The Cornell Note-Taking Method changes everything. It's a simple system that turns messy notes into a powerful revision tool. No complicated techniques. Just a smart way to organise information so it actually sticks in your brain.

Let's go through exactly how it works.

Key Takeaways

• The Cornell Method divides your page into three sections – notes, cues and summary – making revision more effective

• It's built for active learning – you're not just writing, you're testing yourself and making connections

• Works for any subject – whether you're studying Maths, History or Biology, this method adapts to what you need

• Paper or digital, your choice – use notebooks or digital tools like OneNote, Notion or Google Docs

What is the Cornell Revision Method?

The Cornell Method is a note-taking system created in the 1950s by Professor Walter Pauk at Cornell University (opens in a new tab) in America. He wanted to help students organise their notes and to remember what they'd written.

Instead of just scribbling everything down randomly, you divide your page into three specific sections. The method works because it forces you to:

• Organise information whilst you're learning

• Create questions that test your understanding

• Summarise key points in your own words

It's not just about taking notes. It's about creating a revision tool while you learn. 

Key Components of the Cornell Notes System

Every Cornell notes page has three sections:

Note-Taking Area

This is the biggest section – the right-hand side of your page. It takes up about two-thirds of the space.

What goes here:

• Notes from lessons, textbooks or videos

• Key facts and information

• Diagrams and examples

• Important definitions

Top tips:

• Write clearly but don't worry about making it perfect

• Use bullet points to keep things organised

• Leave space between different topics

• Don't write absolutely everything – focus on important stuff

• Use abbreviations to save time

Think of this section as your main notes. It's where the actual content lives.

Cue Column

This narrow column runs down the left side of your page. It's your secret weapon for revision.

What goes here:

• Questions based on your notes

• Keywords and key terms

• Prompts that trigger your memory

• Main topics covered in each section

How to use it: After your lesson (ideally the same day), go through your notes and write questions or keywords in this column. Cover up your main notes and use the cue column to test yourself.

For example, if your notes say "Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy" your cue column might say:

• "What does photosynthesis do?"

• "Photosynthesis = light to chemical"

This turns your notes into a self-test. Brilliant for revision.

Summary Section

This section sits at the bottom of your page. It's small but mighty.

What goes here: A brief summary (2-4 sentences) of the entire page in your own words.

Why it matters: Writing summaries forces your brain to process information and make connections. You can't just copy – you have to understand.

Example summary: "Photosynthesis happens in plant cells. It uses light energy, water and CO₂ to make glucose and oxygen. Chlorophyll captures the light energy. It's basically how plants make their own food."

Complete this section at the end of each note-taking session whilst everything's still fresh in your mind.

Why Is the Cornell Revision Method So Effective?

The Cornell Method isn't just popular because it looks neat. There's actual science behind why it works.

It uses active recall

Instead of just rereading notes (which feels like revision but isn't very effective), you're actively testing yourself using the cue column. Research shows active recall is one of the best ways to strengthen memory.

It forces you to organise

The structure makes you think about what's important while you're learning. You're not just mindlessly copying – you're processing information.

It builds in spaced repetition

By reviewing your notes regularly using the cue column, you're naturally spacing out your revision. This helps move information from short-term to long-term memory.

It reveals what you don't know

When you test yourself with the cue column and can't answer? That's gold. You've just identified exactly what you need to revise more.

It creates condensed revision notes

The summary section gives you bite-sized overviews that are perfect for last-minute revision. You can skim all your summaries quickly before an exam.

Students who use the Cornell Method consistently tend to remember more (opens in a new tab) and perform better in exams. It's not magic – it's smart organisation added to effective learning strategies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Cornell Revision Method

Here's how to set up and use Cornell notes.

Setting Up Your Notes

For paper notes:

1. Take a blank page (A4 works perfectly)

2. Draw a horizontal line about 5cm from the bottom

3. Draw a vertical line about 6cm from the left edge (but only down to your horizontal line)

4. Label the sections: "Notes," "Cues" and "Summary"

That's it. You now have your three sections ready.

For digital notes:

Most note-taking apps let you create templates:

• OneNote: Create a page template with three sections

• Notion: Use a table or page template

• Google Docs: Create a table with the right proportions and save as a template

Top tip: Create your template once, then duplicate it for every topic to save time.

Taking Notes and Using the Cue Column

During the lesson:

Focus on the notes section (right side). Write down:

• Main ideas and key points

• Important examples

• Diagrams or formulas

• Things your teacher emphasises

Don't try to write everything word-for-word. Listen, understand, then write the important bits in your own words.

After the lesson (ideally same day):

Now fill in the cue column. Go through your notes and create:

• Questions: "What causes coastal erosion?" "How do you calculate acceleration?"

• Keywords: "Erosion," "Newton's Second Law"

• Prompts: "Three causes of WW1" "Photosynthesis equation"

Think about what you'd need to know for an exam. What would a teacher ask about this topic?

Summarising Your Notes

At the bottom of your page, write a brief summary (2-4 sentences) covering the main points.

Good summary example: "Cell respiration releases energy from glucose. It happens in mitochondria. Aerobic respiration needs oxygen and produces lots of ATP. Anaerobic respiration doesn't need oxygen but produces less energy and creates lactic acid."

Bad summary example: "This page is about respiration and cells and energy and stuff."

See the difference? A good summary explains the key concepts precisely in your own words.

Practical Applications and Enhancements

The basic Cornell Method can be adapted for different subjects and situations.

Application in Different Subjects

For Maths:

• Notes section: Worked examples and formulas

• Cue column: Problem types, key formulas to remember

• Summary: When to use each method or formula

For Sciences:

• Notes section: Processes, diagrams, experiments

• Cue column: "Explain..." questions, key terms

• Summary: Main concept in simple terms

For Humanities (History, English, etc.):

• Notes section: Events, quotes, arguments, context

• Cue column: Essay questions, themes, key dates

• Summary: Main argument or significance of the topic

For Languages:

• Notes section: Grammar rules, vocabulary, examples

• Cue column: English prompts for key words to translate

• Summary: When/how to use the grammar point

The structure stays the same, but what you put in each section adapts to what you're studying.

Digital Tools and Templates

These digital tools have slightly different advantages for using with the Cornell Method:

OneNote – Easy to create templates, great for adding typed notes and drawings

Notion – Flexible templates, perfect if you like customising your setup

Google Docs – Simple tables work well, easy to share with study groups

GoodNotes (iPad) – Handwrite digital notes using templates

Top enhancements:

• Colour-code different subjects

• Add hyperlinks between related topics

• Insert images or screenshots

• Tag notes for easy searching

• Use highlighting for super important points

Digital notes mean you can search everything instantly and never lose your notes. But handwriting helps some people remember better. Pick what works for you.

Tips for Maximising the Cornell Revision Method

Fill in the cue column the same day

Don't leave it for weeks. Your notes make way more sense when the lesson's still fresh in your mind. Spend 5-10 minutes that evening completing the cue column and summary.

Test yourself regularly

Cover the notes section with your hand or a piece of paper. Use only the cue column to test what you remember. This is active recall in action.

Review your summaries

Before an exam, read through all your summaries. They're like mini revision cards covering all your topics.

Don't make it too neat

Some students waste time making notes look overly perfect. That's not the point. Clear? Yes. Readable? Definitely. Don't spend hours on perfection.

Personalise it

The Cornell Method is a framework, not a rigid rule. Adjust section sizes if you need more space for diagrams. Add extra columns if it helps. Make it work for you.

Combine with other methods

Cornell notes work alongside:

• Flashcards (use your cue column questions)

• Mind maps (visual overviews of topics)

• Practice questions (test your understanding)

How Save My Exams Can Help

The Cornell Method is brilliant for organising your learning, but you still need quality content to put in those notes. That's where Save My Exams comes in.

Exam-board specific revision notes

Instead of spending hours trying to condense your textbook, use Save My Exams' concise revision notes. They're written by examiners and cover exactly what you need for your specification. Pop these straight into your notes section.

Topic questions for your cue column

Create perfect cue column questions using Save My Exams' topic questions. These show you exactly what examiners ask about each topic.

Model answers

Struggling with what to write in your summary? Check out the model answers given with the topic questions on Save My Exams to see how to explain concepts clearly and concisely.

Track your progress

Save My Exams' automatic progress tracking helps you identify which topics need more Cornell notes and revision focus. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cornell Method Good for All Subjects?

Yes! The Cornell Method works for pretty much any subject. You just adapt what goes in each section. It's brilliant for content-heavy subjects like History, Biology or Business where you need to remember loads of information. It's also great for Maths and Sciences because you can include worked examples in the notes section and problem types in the cue column.

How Often Should I Review My Cornell Notes?

Ideally, review your notes and test yourself:

• Same day – Complete cue column and summary

• After one week – Test yourself using the cue column

• After one month – Quick review to refresh your memory

• Before exams – Focus on summaries and test yourself with cues

This spaced repetition approach helps move information into long-term memory.

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid with the Cornell Method?

• Writing too much – pick out the important stuff.

• Ignoring the cue column – This is the most important bit for revision! 

• Vague summaries – Explain the key concepts.

• Never reviewing – Taking notes is just the first step. 

• Making it too complicated – Keep it simple. 

Are There Free Cornell Note Templates I Can Download?

Absolutely! Loads of free templates are available online.

For digital notes:

• Search "Cornell notes template" in Google Docs templates

• Check Notion template galleries

• Download OneNote Cornell templates

For printable templates:

• Search "printable Cornell notes template PDF"

• Many educational websites offer free downloads

How Does the Cornell Method Compare to Mind Mapping?

They're different tools for different jobs. Use what works for your brain and the subject you're studying.

Final Thoughts

The Cornell Note-Taking Method is a smart way to organise information so you can remember it.

Give it a proper go for a few weeks. Create your template, take notes using the system, and actually use the cue column to test yourself. You'll be amazed how much better you remember things.

Combine the Cornell Method with quality resources from Save My Exams and you've got a revision system that will really work!

References

• The Cornell Note Taking System (opens in a new tab)

• An introduction to the Cornell Note system - Manick Saran, Madeline Krentz Gober, E Berryhill McCarty, 2022 (opens in a new tab)