The Secret to Acing Big Exams? It’s Not Cramming

Preparing for major exams—the SAT, ACT, AP tests, and IB assessments—can feel overwhelming. But top scorers don’t just rely on luck or natural ability. They study smarter.

So what’s the secret? It’s called spiraled learning. Instead of last-minute cramming, this research-backed method—highlighted in Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown—helps you retain information long-term by consistently revisiting and reinforcing past material. The result? Stronger recall, less stress, and better performance when it counts.

What Is Spiraled Learning?

Think of it like training for a sport—you don’t master a skill by practicing it once and never revisiting it. Instead, you refine it over time. Spiraled learning works the same way, cycling through material at strategic intervals to keep knowledge fresh.

The key to spiraled learning lies in spaced learning—reviewing material over time rather than cramming it all at once—and retrieval practice, which involves actively recalling information instead of passively rereading it. The result? A stronger memory and a serious edge on high-stakes, cumulative exams.

You’ve already experienced spiraled learning without even realizing it. Think about song lyrics—you might need to look them up at first, but after hearing the song a few times, you start singing along. You might forget parts if you haven’t heard it for months, but one quick listen brings it all back. The same goes for cooking. The first few times you make a new dish, you carefully follow each step, but after making it enough, you barely need the recipe. Even learning a TikTok dance works this way. You follow a tutorial, practice in sections, and after enough repetition, your body just knows the moves. Since this is how we naturally retain information, it only makes sense that applying the same method to studying would lead to stronger content retention and better test performance.

Applying Spiraled Learning to Test Prep

1) Start Early and Spread It Out

• For AP and IB exams in May, begin more intensive review by February or March. The SAT/ACT also rewards an early approach. Regular, shorter sessions over several weeks help you recall info longer and keep stress levels in check.

  2) Combine New and Old Material

• As you learn new content—whether it’s IB’s Theory of Knowledge or AP Chemistry—spend part of each study session revisiting older units. This steady reinforcement pays off, especially in IB, which often asks you to connect themes across the curriculum.

  3) Practice Active Recall

• Reading notes might feel comfortable, but it doesn’t always lead to real retention. Use flashcards, practice questions, or mini-explanations to friends to pull information out of your memory. This method is much more effective for long-term learning.

  4) Mix Up Subjects (Interleaving)

• Instead of dedicating entire days to a single subject, alternate. Maybe 30 minutes of IB Math, 30 minutes of AP U.S. History, then a bit of SAT reading. This forces your brain to switch gears and stay sharp, helping you handle varied questions during exams.

  5) Mock Exams Under Real Conditions

• Every few weeks, attempt a timed section or full practice test. If you’re in the IB program, work through past papers in subjects like Biology or Economics. For the SAT/ACT, rotate practice sections. Reviewing mistakes is key—spiral back to weak areas next time you study.

Recommended Tools for Spiraled Study

• Khan Academy: Offers free SAT practice and can serve as a solid supplement for IB or AP math and science review through its extensive video library and quizzes.

• Quizlet: Its free version includes flashcards and “Learn” mode with spaced repetition. You can tailor sets for IB subjects (like key terms for IB Psychology) or for AP U.S. History timelines.

• Anki: A spaced-repetition app (free on most platforms) that algorithmically decides when you need to see a flashcard again, helping you master crucial formulas, vocab, or conceptual links.

If you prefer a simple method, create a spreadsheet or calendar and plan which topics to review each week—fitting the spiral concept into your routine.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Cramming: Trying to learn an entire IB or AP syllabus in the final week causes anxiety and shallow retention.

• Fix: Study in smaller, spread-out increments.

• Passive Reading: Highlights and repeated note-reading can lead to overconfidence without true depth.

• Fix: Turn content into questions or explain concepts from memory.

• Weak Areas on Ignore: Subjects you dislike may get sidelined until it’s too late.

• Fix: Address them sooner with focused, spiraled reviews.

• No Timed Practice: If you never simulate real exam conditions, you can misjudge pacing or panic under time pressure.

• Fix: Introduce timed drills, especially for standardized tests like the SAT/ACT or timed IB papers.

Conclusion

A spiraled approach transforms test prep from a last-minute scramble into consistent, meaningful progress. By regularly cycling back to what you’ve learned, even as you tackle new material, you’ll strengthen memory, reduce stress, and walk into any exam (AP, IB, SAT, or ACT) with far more confidence.

Need personalized guidance? Simply Admissions can help you craft a tailored study schedule, master spiraled learning techniques, and navigate the demands of IB, AP, or standardized tests. Start now, reach out today, and equip yourself for real success on exam day.