Best Memorisation Techniques for Revision

Trying to memorise pages of notes before exams can feel overwhelming, especially when everything starts to blur together. The good news is that memory isn’t just something you are born with; it’s a skill you can train. With the right strategies, anyone can learn to remember information more effectively and recall it when it matters most.

This guide breaks down the best memorisation techniques for revision. You’ll learn how to choose the right method for your subject, avoid common mistakes, and build these strategies into your study routine so they become second nature.

Key Takeaways

• Memory improves when you use active methods like recall, spacing, and visual association.

• Different strategies suit different content: flashcards work for facts, mind maps for big ideas.

• Simple techniques such as chunking, mnemonics, and storytelling help transfer information to long-term memory.

• The best results come from practising regularly, testing yourself often, and spacing revision sessions over time.

Why Memorisation Matters in Exams

Whether you’re preparing for GCSE Science, IB History, or A Level Psychology, strong recall is key. Most exams rely on your ability to retrieve facts, theories, and examples quickly.

Memorisation isn’t about repetition for the sake of it. It’s a process of helping your brain store information in a way that’s easy to access later. Research shows (opens in a new tab) that retrieval practice (testing what you know) and encoding (linking new information to existing knowledge) are two of the most powerful tools for memory. 

The more you practise recalling information, the stronger those memory pathways become.

Top Memorisation Techniques to Use During Revision

Each of the methods below helps your brain store and retrieve information more efficiently. Try a few and see which ones work best for your subjects.

Active Recall

Active recall means testing yourself instead of rereading notes. Cover the answers, write or say what you remember, then check. Use flashcards, blank-page recall, or past paper questions.

Why it works: Each time you retrieve information, your brain strengthens that memory pathway, making future recall faster and more reliable.

Example: In GCSE Biology, write everything you can about photosynthesis before looking at your notes. Then compare your answer to spot what you missed.

Tip: Use our active recall guide for practical advice to help you make the most of every revision session.

Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition means reviewing material at increasing intervals: after one day, three days, a week, and so on. This helps move information into long-term memory and prevents last-minute cramming. Use our guide to create a spaced repetition schedule to suit you.

Why it works: Your brain forgets information on a curve. Reviewing just before you forget resets that curve and strengthens recall.

Best for: Vocabulary, formulas, quotes, and factual definitions.

Tip: Mark revision days on a paper calendar or use apps like Anki or Quizlet to automate reminders.

Chunking

Chunking breaks large blocks of information into smaller, meaningful groups. Instead of learning ten philosophers in one go, group them by topic: moral theories, arguments for God, and challenges to religion. Our guide to the chunking technique explains more about how and why it works.

Example: In A Level Psychology, learn studies in categories like “social influence” or “memory models.”

Tip: Save My Exams revision notes are already ‘chunked’ for you, with each subject divided into topics and sub-topics to match your syllabus exactly. Use the headings on each page to help you break down each topic further, into smaller ‘chunks’.

The Memory Palace (Method of Loci)

The Memory Palace uses visualisation to store information. Imagine a familiar place, like your house, and place each fact or idea in a specific location. As you mentally walk through the space, you recall each item.

Why it works: Spatial memory is one of the strongest types of memory. Linking facts to visual spaces helps them stick.

Example: To remember the stages of cell division, imagine each stage taking place in a different room.

Mnemonics and Acronyms

Mnemonics are simple memory aids that turn complex information into easy patterns.

Examples include:

• MRS GREN – for the seven life processes in Biology.

• OIL RIG – Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain (Chemistry).

You can make your own for tricky definitions or key quotes. The funnier or more unusual they are, the better they stick.

Tip: Consult our guide to using mnemonics and acronyms in your revision.

Visual Mapping (Mind Maps & Diagrams)

Turning notes into visual formats helps your brain make connections between ideas. Use mind maps, flowcharts, or labelled diagrams to link concepts clearly. Find out more about how revision mind maps can support your study in our Learning Hub. 

Example: In GCSE Religious Studies, create a mind map showing how beliefs about forgiveness link to teachings about justice and reconciliation.

Tip: Colour-code branches or draw small icons to help trigger memory faster during recall.

Storytelling and Association

Turn facts into a story to make them meaningful. Your brain naturally remembers narratives better than lists.

Example: To recall Psychologists, imagine them meeting in a café, each “ordering” a theory that matches their approach.

How to Choose the Right Memorisation Technique

Not every memorisation method works for every subject or learner. The key is to match the technique to what you’re trying to remember.

• For facts and definitions: Use active recall or flashcards.

• For longer processes or essays: Try chunking, storytelling, or mind maps.

• For complex topics with lots of links: Spaced repetition or the Memory Palace work well.

• For formulas and vocabulary: Combine mnemonics with regular practice.

Think about what kind of learner you are, visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic, and experiment to see which approach helps ideas stick best. Once you find which techniques suit your subject and learning style, use them consistently in your revision.

Memorisation Techniques by Subject

Each subject can benefit from a slightly different approach to memorisation. These techniques match the way knowledge is used in each one.

Science
Use mnemonics and labelled diagrams to help remember key terms and processes. For example, MRS GREN for life functions or annotated sketches for the heart or cell structure. Combine these with spaced repetition to keep formulas and definitions in long-term memory.

Religious Studies
Flashcards work well for quotes, key terms, and ethical theories. Mind maps are useful for connecting beliefs to themes such as life, death, and morality. Practise active recall by writing down as many teachings as you can remember, then checking what you missed.

Psychology or Sociology
Chunk research studies and theories into clear themes, such as approaches or topics. Turn experiments into short stories to make them easier to recall under pressure.

History
The Memory Palace helps with timelines and cause-and-effect chains. Colour-coded mind maps or timelines can show how key events and individuals connect.

Languages
Use spaced repetition to build vocabulary. Flashcards and short, spoken practice sessions reinforce memory through repetition and sound.

Become aware of the techniques that suit how you study best within each subject. Then keep using them throughout your revision. The more consistent your approach, the stronger your recall will become.

Mistakes to Avoid When Memorising

Even the best techniques can fail if you use them the wrong way. Here are the most common memory mistakes to watch out for:

1. Re-reading instead of recalling
Reading notes again feels productive, but it doesn’t test your memory. Cover your notes and try to recall key points first, then check what you missed.

2. Cramming too close to the exam
Last-minute revision might help in the short term, but most of it fades quickly. Use spaced repetition to strengthen memory over several days or weeks instead.

3. Avoiding active testing
Quizzes, flashcards, and short written summaries help your brain learn to retrieve information under exam conditions. Passive review doesn’t.

4. Skipping breaks
Your brain consolidates memories during rest. Study in short bursts, then take quick breaks to reset and absorb information.

5. Using too many techniques at once
Stick to one or two methods per subject. Consistent use builds stronger recall than switching between lots of different approaches.

How to Build Memorisation into Your Revision Routine

Strong memory comes from consistency, not cramming. Building memorisation into your daily routine helps you remember information for longer and recall it under pressure.

• Plan short, regular sessions: Twenty to thirty minutes of focused recall each day is more effective than hours of revision once a week.

• Mix up techniques: Combine methods that target different skills. For example, use flashcards for quick recall and mind maps for seeing bigger connections.

• Schedule spaced reviews: Revisit topics over days and weeks to strengthen what you’ve learned.

• Test, then review: Always try to recall information before checking your notes. This highlights areas that need further work

• Track progress: Keep a list or colour-coded tracker of what you remember easily and what needs more practice. Seeing progress helps motivation and focus.

Small, consistent revision sessions are far more powerful than one-off study days. Make memory practice part of your normal study routine and you’ll notice steady improvement.

20-Minute Starter Plan

If you have 20 minutes right now, try this:

1. Pick one topic.

2. Spend 10 minutes testing yourself (no notes).

3. Check answers and write down what you missed.

4. Review again in 3 days, then a week later.

That’s the start of your first spaced-repetition cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to memorise for exams?

Active recall and spaced repetition are the most effective ways to memorise quickly. They train your brain to retrieve and strengthen information so you remember it for longer.

Which memorisation technique works best for visual learners?

Mind maps, diagrams, and the Memory Palace are great options. They rely on spatial and visual memory, helping you see how ideas connect.

Is re-reading or highlighting effective for memory?

Not by itself. These methods help you understand information, but you need to test yourself afterwards to make it stick. 

Try covering your notes and recalling what you remember.

How long should I spend on memorisation each day?

Aim for short, focused sessions of 30–60 minutes. Frequent repetition builds stronger recall than occasional long study days.

Can I improve my memory with practice?

Yes. Memory improves the more you use it. Each time you recall information, you strengthen the connections in your brain that store it. Treat it like a skill that develops with regular practice.

Bringing It All Together

Memorisation is a skill that improves with practice. Using techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and visual mapping helps you learn faster and remember longer. Start small, keep testing yourself, and make these strategies part of your regular revision routine.

The more actively you engage with your notes, the more confident you’ll feel when exams arrive. Explore Save My Exams’ Revision Notes to practise these techniques across your subject and build long-term recall.

References

• Education Endowment Foundation (EEF): Cognitive Science Approaches in the Classroom (opens in a new tab)