What Is the Feynman Technique?

Richard Feynman was a famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner (opens in a new tab) known for his incredible ability to explain really complicated ideas in simple, easy-to-understand ways. 

The technique named after him is a powerful study method that helps students like you break down tricky topics, understand them clearly, and remember them for exams.

The Feynman Technique works by pushing you to explain what you’ve learned in your own words, just as if you were teaching someone else. This process not only shows you where your understanding is strong, but also highlights the parts that need more work. 

By simplifying complex ideas, whether it’s photosynthesis in Biology, Newton’s laws in Physics, or supply in Business, this method makes revision more effective and less overwhelming.

Key Takeaways

• The Feynman Technique is a proven study method that helps you break down complex topics into simple explanations, improving both understanding and memory.

• Start with a tricky concept, explain it in your own words, find and fix knowledge gaps, then simplify again.

• Using everyday examples and analogies makes ideas easier to remember and explain in exams.

• This method forces active recall, strengthens long-term memory, and builds confidence.

• You can use it for any subject, from Maths formulas to History essays, by focusing on clear, simple teaching.

The Feynman Technique in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1 – Choose a Concept to Learn

Start by picking a topic you find challenging or confusing. This could be something that you often get wrong in tests or feel unsure about when revising. For example, if you’re studying Biology, you might choose the carbon cycle, which involves processes like photosynthesis and respiration. 

Or, it could be osmosis, where water moves through a membrane. If you’re revising Economics, you might pick inflation, which affects prices and purchasing power.

Choosing a tricky topic helps you focus your effort where it matters most, turning something complicated into something manageable. Don’t pick something you already know well as the Feynman Technique works best when it challenges you.

Step 2 – Explain It in Simple Terms

Next, write out or say your explanation as if you’re teaching someone younger than you, maybe a friend in a lower year or even a family member who knows nothing about the topic. Use simple language and avoid technical words or jargon. If you do use a tricky term, explain it clearly.

For example, if you’re explaining osmosis, don’t say “water molecules move from a hypotonic to a hypertonic solution through a semi-permeable membrane.” Instead, say something like: “Osmosis is when water moves from where there is a lot of water to where there is less water through a special barrier, kind of like water soaking through a tea bag.” 

You can even draw a simple diagram to help.

Or for Newton’s First Law in Physics, you might say: “An object will keep doing what it’s doing,  either staying still or moving, unless something pushes or pulls it.” 

You could use the example of a football rolling on the ground and slowing down because of friction. Using analogies and visuals helps your brain understand and remember the ideas better.

Step 3 – Identify the Gaps

When you explain the topic, you’ll soon notice parts where you hesitate or don’t feel confident. These moments show where your understanding isn’t clear yet –– maybe you can’t explain why something happens or how it connects to other ideas.

For example, if you’re explaining the carbon cycle, you might forget how carbon moves from plants to animals, or how it ends up in the atmosphere. That’s your cue to revisit your notes, textbook, or online revision guides. Look for clear explanations, videos, or diagrams that help fill those blanks.

Don’t rush this step! The goal is to build a solid understanding by fixing those weak spots, so your explanation makes sense all the way through.

Step 4 – Simplify and Repeat

After you’ve filled the gaps, go back and rewrite or say your explanation again, but this time, make it even simpler and clearer. Try to shorten sentences, use fewer technical terms, and explain things as smoothly as possible.

Then, put your explanation to the test by teaching it out loud to someone else such as a friend, sibling, or even your pet! This helps your brain organise the information and makes it easier to remember. 

When you teach, you also get immediate feedback if the other person asks questions or looks confused which is a chance to check if you need to review anything again.

Repeat this whole process regularly, especially in the weeks leading up to your exams. Each time, you’ll understand the topic better, remember it for longer, and feel more confident in your revision.

Why the Feynman Technique Works

The Feynman Technique isn’t just another way to revise, it’s a smart method that helps you learn deeply and remember better. Here’s why it works so well for students preparing for GCSEs and A Levels:

• Forces active recall and deep understanding: When you explain a topic in your own words, you’re practicing active recall, a proven way to boost memory. Instead of just reading or passively highlighting, you’re actively pulling information from your brain. This makes your understanding stronger and helps the knowledge stick in your mind longer.

• Highlights Weak Spots You Might Miss: Sometimes, you think you know a topic until you try to teach it. The Feynman Technique exposes those areas where your understanding is shaky or incomplete, something simple reading or rereading can’t do. Spotting these weak points early means you can focus your revision where it really counts.

• Builds Long-Term Memory and Confidence: By simplifying complex ideas and teaching them aloud or in writing, you create clearer mental connections. This not only helps you remember the facts better but also builds confidence. You’ll feel more prepared walking into exams because you’ve practiced explaining the material clearly, just like you will need to in written answers.

• Helps with Writing Structured Exam Answers: When you break down ideas into simple, clear explanations, you’re also practising how to organise your thoughts logically. This skill transfers directly to exam questions where you need to write well-structured answers, especially in subjects like Science and Humanities. Using the Feynman Technique regularly can improve your ability to communicate your knowledge clearly and effectively under exam conditions.

Real Examples for GCSE and A Level

Using the Feynman Technique works best when you practice with real, familiar topics. Here are some examples from common GCSE and A Level subjects to help you get started. You can use these as models to copy or adapt for your own revision.

Science example: Explain Mitosis without saying “Cell Division”

Instead of using the phrase cell division, try explaining mitosis like this:

“Mitosis is the process where one part of your body copies itself to make an exact twin. Imagine a copy machine that duplicates a book page by page, so you end up with two identical pages. This is how your body makes new parts to grow or repair damage.”

This simple explanation shows you understand mitosis deeply enough to describe it clearly without relying on technical words.

Economics example: Break down supply and demand 

Here’s a way to explain supply and demand in everyday terms:

“Supply is how many chocolate bars the supermarket has on the shelves. Demand is how many people want to buy those bars. If lots of people want chocolate, but the shelves only have a few bars left, the price might go up because the bars are rare. But if the shelves are full and not many people want chocolate, the price might drop to encourage more people to buy them.”

Using a simple, familiar situation helps make the idea easier to grasp and remember.

Try It Yourself

When you try the Feynman Technique yourself, pick a topic and challenge yourself to explain it clearly and simply, like the examples above. Write or say your explanation out loud. Use everyday language and examples that make sense to you. This practice will improve your understanding and help you remember key ideas for your exams.

How to Use the Technique in Revision

The Feynman Technique works best when you make it part of your regular revision routine. Here’s how to do that easily and effectively:

• Build it into your weekly revision planner: Set aside time each week to focus on one or two tricky topics using the Feynman Technique. For example, on Monday, choose a topic like the water cycle, and on Thursday, pick something else like economic markets. Regular practice helps turn tough subjects into something familiar and less stressful.

• Use flashcards or plain paper: Write the topic name on one side of a flashcard or a blank sheet of paper. On the other side, write your simple explanation as if you’re teaching someone else. Keep your explanations clear and easy to understand. Flashcards are great because you can carry them around and review whenever you have spare time.

• Create a “teach back” session with a friend or parent: Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to learn. Ask a friend, sibling, or parent if you can explain the topic to them. If they ask questions or look confused, it means you can go back and make your explanation clearer. This “teach back” method makes revision interactive and helps you spot gaps quickly.

• Turn difficult flashcards into mini Feynman tasks: If you come across a flashcard or topic that’s really hard to explain, don’t skip it! Instead, turn it into a mini Feynman task. Write down your attempt to explain it simply, check your notes to fix any gaps, and then try again. This step-by-step breakdown makes even the toughest ideas easier to understand and remember.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even the best study methods don’t work if you don’t use them correctly. Here are some common mistakes students make when using the Feynman Technique and how you can avoid them to get the most from your revision.

• Copying instead of explaining: Simply copying definitions or textbook sentences won’t help you understand. The whole point of the Feynman Technique is to explain ideas in your own words. Try to imagine you’re teaching a younger student who’s never heard of the topic before. If you can’t say it simply, you probably don’t understand it fully yet.

• Using textbook phrases without understanding: Sometimes, students repeat textbook phrases without knowing what they mean. Avoid using complicated words or jargon unless you can explain them clearly, too. If you find yourself using a term you don’t fully get, pause and look it up until you can explain it simply.

• Skipping the review phase: A big part of the Feynman Technique is checking for gaps in your knowledge and going back to review. If you skip this step, you might miss important details and end up with incomplete understanding. Always spend time revisiting your notes or resources to fill in any blanks you discover.

• Trying to memorise without breaking concepts down: Memorising facts without understanding how they fit together makes it harder to recall and use the information in exams. The Feynman Technique works because it breaks complex concepts into simple parts. Take time to fully explain and connect ideas rather than just learning them by heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Feynman Technique for Maths?

Yes! The Feynman Technique is great for Maths, especially when you’re trying to understand formulas, methods, or problem-solving steps. 

Instead of just memorising equations, try explaining why each step works in simple terms. For example, when revising Pythagoras’ theorem, explain it as “the rule that tells us how to find the length of the longest side in a right-angled triangle by using the other two sides.” 

Teaching yourself this way helps you see the ‘why’ behind the maths, which improves problem-solving skills and exam confidence.

What if I have no one to teach a topic to?

No worries! You don’t need a real person to use the Feynman Technique. You can teach an imaginary student, explain concepts out loud to yourself, or even write your explanation down as if you’re creating a study guide. 

Recording yourself or using a mirror can help make this feel more interactive. The key is to actively explain the topic in your own words, which helps deepen your understanding.

Does the Feynman Technique work for essay subjects?

Absolutely. For subjects like History, English Literature, or Geography, the Feynman Technique helps you organise your ideas clearly and understand key themes or events. 

Try explaining a historical event, a poem’s meaning, or a geographical process in simple terms. This makes it easier to plan your essays and write structured answers that examiners can follow. The technique also helps you spot any gaps in your knowledge before you write.

Final Thoughts

Learning by teaching is one of the most powerful ways to understand and remember tricky topics. The Feynman Technique helps you do exactly that. By turning complex ideas into simple explanations, you build real understanding that sticks.

Make the Feynman Technique part of your weekly revision routine. Regular practice will not only improve your knowledge but also boost your confidence ahead of exams. Remember, it’s not about getting everything perfect straight away. It’s about growing your understanding step by step and being honest about what you do and don’t know.

With patience and practice, you’ll find even the most challenging subjects become clearer and easier to revise. Keep teaching, keep learning, and you’ll be ready to succeed.

References 

Richard Feynman (opens in a new tab)