Examinations remain one of the most stressful academic experiences for students worldwide.
While many learners dedicate countless hours to preparation, it is common to see some forgetting critical information the moment they step into the exam hall.
Research in educational psychology and cognitive science has provided insights into why this happens and how it can be prevented.
Below are 20 evidence-based reasons why students forget during exams—and practical strategies to overcome them.
Exam Anxiety
High stress levels trigger cortisol production, which interferes with memory recall.
Example: A student who studied well suddenly panics when the invigilator says, “Start work,” and forgets even simple definitions.
Solution: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation before the exam.
Surface Learning
Students who memorize without understanding often struggle to recall under pressure
Example: Memorizing the definition of photosynthesis word-for-word without understanding it makes recall harder when the question is twisted.
Solution: Focus on deep learning—connect new knowledge with existing knowledge through examples and applications. That is, connect new knowledge with real-life applications (e.g., link photosynthesis to why plants die without sunlight).
Poor Sleep
Sleep deprivation affects memory consolidation, making recall difficult.
Example: A candidate stays up revising from 7pm until 3 a.m. will struggles to recall formulas in the exam.
Solution: Aim for 6–8 hours of quality sleep, especially before the exam.
Cramming (Massed Practice)
Last-minute memorization overloads working memory, leading to rapid forgetting.
Example: Revising seven chapters in one-night leads to confusion about which formula belongs to which topic.
Solution: Spread revision over weeks using a timetable and spaced repetition (it is better to start your revision the first day the lesson started).
Information Overload
Trying to learn too much at once overwhelms the brain’s processing capacity.
Example: Reading three textbooks and ten handouts the night before causes mental exhaustion.
Solution: Break study sessions into manageable chunks (Pomodoro technique).
Lack of Retrieval Practice
Only rereading notes creates “illusion of learning.” Without recall practice, memory is fragile.
Example: A student rereads notes repeatedly but struggles to answer past questions because they never practiced recalling.
Solution: Test yourself regularly with quizzes, flashcards, and past questions.
Distractions During Study
Studying with phones, social media, or noise leads to shallow encoding of information.
Example: Checking WhatsApp every 10 minutes while studying mathematics makes it difficult to remember formulas.
Solution: Create a distraction-free study environment and use the “focus mode” method.
Unhealthy Diet and Dehydration
Poor nutrition and lack of water reduce brain efficiency.
Example: Going into an exam hungry or after eating only junk food reduces concentration.
Solution: Eat balanced meals with omega-3s, fruits, vegetables, and stay hydrated.
Skipping Revision
Without revisiting learned material, memory decays rapidly (Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve).
Example: Reading notes once and assuming “I know it” leads to forgetting by exam day.
Solution: Revise systematically using active recall within 24 hours, then weekly.
Low Confidence
Self-doubt leads to “blanking out” even when knowledge is present.
Example: A student knows the answer but second-guesses and erases it, leaving the question blank.
Solution: Build confidence with consistent practice and positive affirmations.
Exam Pressure and Time Constraints
The ticking clock creates cognitive overload.
Example: Looking at the clock every 2 minutes creates panic, making it difficult to think clearly.
Solution: Practice past exams under timed conditions to simulate real scenarios.
Poor Note-Taking Strategies
Copying notes word-for-word hinders retention.
Example: Copying lecture notes word-for-word without summarizing makes them hard to revise later.
Solution: Use active note-taking methods like the Cornell system, mind maps, or summarization.
Failure to Understand Instructions
Students sometimes forget because they panic over misinterpreted questions.
Example: A candidate writes a long essay when the question asked for short notes. Panic sets in, and other answers are forgotten.
Solution: Train yourself to read questions carefully and underline key terms.
Over-Reliance on Group Study
While group study is useful, some students rely on peers without personal consolidation.
Example: A student depends on classmates to explain a topic but forgets it in the exam because they didn’t revise personally.
Solution: Review alone after group sessions to strengthen personal understanding.
Neglecting Practice in Writing
Some learners only “know” answers in their heads but struggle to write them under pressure.
Example: A learner remembers the steps of solving an equation mentally but freezes when asked to write them on paper.
Solution: Practice writing full answers under exam-like conditions.
Lack of Exam Strategy
Jumping between questions randomly increases confusion.
Example: Starting with the most difficult question first wastes time and causes panic.
Solution: Develop a strategy—answer easier questions first, allocate time wisely.
Unfamiliar Exam Environment
Sudden change of setting can trigger anxiety and distraction.
Example: Sitting in a new hall with strict invigilators makes some students nervous, leading to forgetfulness.
Solution: Visit the exam hall beforehand if possible, or mentally rehearse the setting.
Cognitive Overconfidence
Believing one “knows it all” reduces preparation depth.
Example: A candidate thinks, “I know this chapter well,” but in the hall forgets key dates because they didn’t revise thoroughly.
Solution: Self-test honestly and seek feedback to identify weak areas.
Insufficient Breaks During Study
Long study sessions without breaks lead to fatigue and poor memory encoding.
Example: Reading for 6 straight hours makes the brain too tired to store new information.
Solution: Apply the 50-10 rule—study for 50 minutes, break for 10.
Negative Peer Comparisons
Hearing others boast about their preparation can cause panic and memory lapses.
Example: Hearing classmates boast, “I revised the whole syllabus twice,” makes others panic and forget what they learned.
Solution: Focus on your own strategy and avoid unnecessary discussions before exams.
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Conclusion
Forgetting in the exam hall is not merely a matter of poor intelligence but often the result of psychological, biological, and behavioral factors.
By addressing anxiety, adopting effective study methods, practicing recall, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, students can significantly improve retention and performance.
Success in exams is not only about hard work—it is about working smart with scientifically proven strategies.
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