What Is the ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check’ Method?

Key Takeaways

• Look, say, cover, write, check is a five-step revision technique for memorising spellings, key terms and definitions

• It works by forcing you to recall information from memory rather than simply copying it

• The method uses active recall, one of the most effective strategies for long-term retention

• You can adapt it for any subject where you need to remember exact wording, from science definitions to language vocabulary

• All you need is a piece of paper and the list of words or terms you want to learn

How Does Look, Cover, Write, Check Work?

The method has five steps. Each one builds on the last.

1. Look – read the word or term carefully. Study the individual letters, notice tricky parts, and pay attention to any patterns.

2. Say – say the word out loud. This adds an auditory element to your learning. If you're in a quiet space, mouth the word silently or whisper it.

3. Cover – remove the visual cue. Hide the word completely using your hand or a piece of paper, or fold the page over.

4. Write – write the word from memory slowly, focusing on getting every letter right.

5. Check – uncover the original and compare it letter by letter to what you wrote. If you got it right, move on. If not, go back to step one and repeat.

Why Does This Method Work?

Look, cover, write, check works because it forces retrieval practice. When you write a word from memory, your brain has to reconstruct the information rather than simply recognise it. Research consistently shows that retrieval practice strengthens memory far more than rereading or highlighting.

The more ways you encode information, the more likely you are to remember it. With this method, you're processing the word visually (looking), auditorily (saying), and physically (writing).

It's also self-correcting. The check step gives you immediate feedback, which helps you identify exactly where you're going wrong. If you keep misspelling "necessary" as "neccessary", for example, you'll spot the pattern quickly and focus your attention on the right part of the word.

How to Use It for Exam Revision

Most people associate this method with primary school spelling tests. In fact, it's just as useful – if not more so – for revision in secondary school. Many GCSE subjects, for instance, have extensive glossaries that require you to learn a lot of new and precise terminology.

Here are some ways you can adapt it for different subjects:

• Maths – use the same technique for formulae as well as key words

• Science – key terms like ‘homeostasis’, ‘mitosis’, or ‘electrolysis’ need to be spelt correctly and defined accurately in exams

• History – important dates, people and terms are easier to recall with this method

• Geography – misspelling technical terms like ‘urbanisation’ and ‘tectonic plate’ can often lose you spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) marks

• Languages – use the method to translate words in your vocabulary list from English into your target language, and vice versa

Tips to Make It More Effective

While basic method works well on its own, these simple adjustments make it even stronger:

• Break tricky words into chunks – split longer words into smaller sections before you start, e.g. ‘photosynthesis’ can be split into ‘photo-syn-the-sis’. Smaller pieces are easier to recall

•  Test yourself again later – revisit the same words after 10 minutes, then again the next day. Spacing out your practice (spaced repetition) builds stronger long-term memory

• Track your mistakes – keep a list of words you get wrong. These are the ones that need extra attention

• Limit your batch size – work with no more than 5–8 words at a time to avoid overloading your working memory

• Use it in short sessions – doing this regularly for 10–15 minutes at a time is better than spending an hour on it. Combine it with regular study breaks to stay focused

• Combine it with other techniques, such as strategies to improve memory and concentration

How to Make Your Own Template

Instead of printing a template, here are two ways you can make your own:

• By hand – Fold a piece of A4 paper into three columns. Label them Word | Write (1st try) | Write (2nd try) | Write (3rd try). List your target words in the first column, then work through the look, say, cover, write, check process for each row

• Digitally – create a spreadsheet on programs like Google Sheets or Excel with the same layout mentioned above

When to Use Other Techniques Instead

Look, say, cover, write, check is best for exact recall for spellings, vocabulary and formulae. It's less useful when you need to understand a concept, build an argument, or apply knowledge to new situations.

For deeper understanding, try concept maps or practice questions. 

For timed productivity, the Pomodoro technique helps structure your sessions. 

The strongest revision plans use several methods together, matching the technique to the type of knowledge you're learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does look, cover, write, check actually work?

Yes. It uses active recall, which is one of the most evidence-backed learning strategies. 

Writing from memory is significantly more effective for retention than rereading or copying. The immediate feedback loop (checking your answer) reinforces correct recall and helps you identify weak spots.

Can I use this method for subjects other than English?

Absolutely. It works for any content that requires exact recall – science definitions, language vocabulary, maths formulae, geography terms, and historical dates. The core principle (retrieve from memory, then check) applies across every subject.

How many words should I practise at once?

Start with 5–8 words per session. This keeps your working memory from overloading. Once you've mastered those, move on to the next batch. Returning to earlier batches after a gap (spaced repetition) strengthens your recall further.

Is this method good for dyslexic students?

It can be helpful, particularly because it uses multiple senses (visual, auditory, motor). The "say" step and the physical act of writing provide additional encoding channels beyond just reading. That said, dyslexic students may benefit from additional strategies like colour-coding tricky letter patterns or using mnemonics alongside the method.