What Is Cramming and Does It Work?

We've all been there. The exam is tomorrow and you've barely touched your textbook. Time for an all-nighter with energy drinks and pure panic, right?

Let's dive into the science behind cramming and find out if this last-minute strategy actually works.

What Is Cramming?

Cramming is intensive, last-minute studying – usually within 24–72 hours before an exam.

It's when you try to memorise massive amounts of content in a very short time. Think late nights and desperately hoping everything sticks in your brain.

Most cramming sessions involve stress, sleep deprivation, and relying heavily on short-term memory recall.

Why Do Students Cram?

There are several reasons why cramming becomes the go-to strategy for many students.

Procrastination and poor time management are the biggest culprits. It's easy to put off studying when the exam feels far away.

Many students genuinely believe they "work better under pressure." The adrenaline rush can feel motivating, even though it's not helping your brain learn effectively.

Students often underestimate how much revision is actually needed. That thick textbook looks manageable until you realise there are 300 pages to get through.

Sometimes cramming is about trying to make up for a complete lack of earlier study. When you've avoided the subject all term, cramming feels like your only option.

The Science Behind Cramming

Let's look at what's actually happening in your brain when you cram.

How Memory Works

When you cram, you're mainly using short-term memory. This is like your brain's temporary storage space.

Research by Dunlosky et al. (2013) showed that information is far less likely to transfer to long-term memory without spaced learning. Your brain needs time and repetition to move knowledge into permanent storage.

High-stress study conditions like sleep deprivation actually impair your ability to recall information. Research (opens in a new tab) performed in UCLA have found that students who sacrifice sleep for extra cramming time often perform worse on exams.

Does It Actually Work?

Here's the honest answer: cramming can produce short-term recall gains for some people, but it's incredibly inconsistent.

MIT researchers found that cramming can lead to better outcomes on test day than the same number of study hours spread out (opens in a new tab). But here's the catch: this only applies to immediate recall.

It rarely leads to deep understanding or retention after the test. (opens in a new tab)The spacing effect shows major advantages for learning and retaining information for weeks, months, and years longer than cramming (opens in a new tab).

There's also a serious risk of burnout, blanking during the exam, or mixing up information when everything's jumbled together.

When Cramming Might Help (and When It Won't)

Not all cramming situations are created equal. Let's break down when it might work versus when it definitely won't.

It Might Help When:

You already understand the topic well and just need a quick refresh of key facts or formulas.

You're reviewing basic information like dates, formulas, or vocabulary—not complex concepts that require deep thinking.

You're using active recall techniques like flashcards or practice questions, not just rereading your notes for the hundredth time.

It Won't Help When:

You're trying to learn completely new material for the first time. Your brain simply can't process and store that much new information quickly.

The subject requires analysis, evaluation, or essay writing. These higher-order thinking skills need time to develop properly.

As a Lecturer and Academic Coach for medical students, I have noticed that when my students have not slept well and are not eating well, they are more prone to being forgetful during an assessment. This is not due to their lack of academic ability, but rather the surrounding factors around their health and wellbeing.

Better Alternatives to Cramming

If cramming isn't the answer, what should you do instead? Here are proven strategies that actually work.

Spaced Repetition

This means reviewing content at regular intervals over time, with gaps between study sessions.

Spaced repetition is proven to help transfer knowledge to long-term memory much more effectively than cramming (opens in a new tab). Your brain literally builds stronger neural pathways through repeated, spaced exposure.

The forgetting curve shows that spaced learning helps you retain and recall more information whilst forgetting less (opens in a new tab) compared to cramming.

Active Recall

Use flashcards, practice questions, and self-quizzing instead of passive reading.

Retrieval practice—forcing your brain to pull information from memory—strengthens those memory pathways more than rereading ever could.

Testing yourself is difficult for a reason: the challenge creates new neural pathways that improve retention (opens in a new tab).

Interleaving and Past Paper Practice

Mix different subjects or topics during study sessions to strengthen retention.

Applying your knowledge in real exam conditions leads to much better performance than just memorising facts.

Practice with past papers gives you experience with the actual exam format and question styles. This is where Save My Exams past papers and study tools can really help you succeed!

Cram Smart: If You're Short on Time, Do This

Sometimes you genuinely are stuck with limited time. If you must cram, here's how to do it more effectively.

Prioritise high-yield topics that are most likely to appear on your exam. Focus on what matters most.

Use a Pomodoro timer: study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Your brain needs these short breaks to process information.

Sleep at least 6–7 hours before the exam. (opens in a new tab)Memory consolidation happens overnight (opens in a new tab), so pulling an all-nighter will backfire.

Avoid passive techniques like highlighting or endlessly rereading without testing yourself. Active recall is essential even in cramming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cramming ever a good idea?

Cramming can work as an emergency strategy if you already understand the material and just need a quick refresh.

But it's never the ideal approach. Think of cramming like junk food—it might fill you up temporarily, but it won't nourish you properly.

What should I do if I only have one day to revise?

Focus on the most important topics that are guaranteed to appear on your exam.

Use active recall techniques like flashcards or practice questions rather than passive reading.

Get a proper night's sleep before the exam. (opens in a new tab)Your tired brain won't be able to recall information effectively (opens in a new tab), no matter how much you've crammed.

Review past papers to understand the exam format and question styles.

How can I stop relying on cramming and build a proper revision plan?

Start by breaking down your syllabus into small, manageable chunks right at the beginning of term.

Use spaced repetition: study a topic, then review it after a few days, then a week, then longer intervals (opens in a new tab). This builds genuine long-term memory.

Create a realistic study timetable that includes regular breaks and buffer time for unexpected challenges.

Use active recall from day one—don't just read and highlight, actually test yourself on what you've learned.

Final Thoughts

Cramming is a short-term tactic, not a long-term strategy for success.

It might help you scrape through an exam, but true learning takes time and repetition. Your brain needs space to process, connect, and store information properly.

The best way to avoid cramming? Start early, study smarter—not harder—and give your brain the time it needs to do its job properly.

References

1.  Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students’ learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58.

2. Cramming for a test? Don't do it, say UCLA researchers | UCLA Health (opens in a new tab)

3. Cramming May Help for Next-Day Exams. But for Long-Term Memory, Spacing Out Study is What Works | MIT AgeLab (opens in a new tab)

4. Cramming may help for next-day exams. But for long-term memory, spacing out study is what works. - The Washington Post (opens in a new tab)

5. Spaced repetition and the 2357 method - Exams and Revision | Birmingham City University (opens in a new tab)

6. Comparing Typical (Crammed) Learning vs. Spaced Learning (opens in a new tab)

7. The Spacing Effect: A Proven Strategy for Learning Better Than Cramming (opens in a new tab)

8. Why Spaced Study is Far More Effective than Cramming | Engaging Minds (opens in a new tab)

9. Why Cramming Doesn't Work (opens in a new tab)

10. Spaced Repetition: A Guide to the Technique - E-Student (opens in a new tab)