Study smarter, not harder.
Evidence-based techniques to halve your revision time. Master retrieval practice and interleaving.
Methods
retrieval practice: stop re-reading notes
Use the Testing Effect to turn revision into durable memory — without spending hours re-reading.
spaced repetition for busy clinicians
Use the Forgetting Curve in your favour: tiny daily reviews that compound into exam-ready recall.
q-bank strategy: metacognition
Stop doing questions like a quiz. Use them like a diagnostic tool: classify the miss, fix the system.
the perfect spaced repetition algorithm: anki settings for medics
Fix your Anki workload and boost scores: tune learning steps, graduating intervals, and ease to maximise efficiency and retention for medical exams.
active recall vs passive reading: why you forget everything
Replace rereading with closed-book retrieval to study faster and score higher. Active recall beats highlighting for efficiency and long-term retention.
interleaving: the secret to handling random exam questions
Train exam-style thinking by mixing topics. Interleaving boosts efficiency and scores by improving discrimination and reducing false confidence from blocked study.
the question-first strategy (reverse engineering)
Do questions before content to create knowledge hooks. This increases efficiency and scores by turning uncertainty into targeted learning and faster recall.
studying on night shifts
A tactical system for learning safely on nights: the “Napaccino” protocol, surviving the 3am circadian low, and using ward dead-time without looking disengaged.
the feynman technique: learn by teaching
A ruthless test of understanding: explain it like you’re teaching a child, expose gaps instantly, then rebuild with tight analogies and active recall.
pico → prompt: ask better questions (and find better answers)
Turn vague clinical uncertainty into a searchable, answerable question. PICO, field tags, and prompt structure that prevents noise and improves evidence quality.
critical appraisal quickcheck: the 12 questions that matter
A non-negotiable appraisal checklist for clinicians: identify design, bias risk, effect size, and whether you should trust the conclusion — fast.
citation chaining: find the “real” literature (not the noise)
A power-user technique: start from one strong anchor paper, then use reference lists and “cited by” to map the field quickly and avoid low-quality repeats.
sba exam technique: the two-pass method (plab 1 + mla akt)
A repeatable, non-clinical workflow for Single Best Answer exams: pacing, flagging, second-pass decision rules, and post-paper learning loops.
interleaving for vignette exams: stop topic-blocking
A high-yield method for SBA-style exams: mix similar presentations deliberately to sharpen discrimination and reduce pattern-matching errors.
study with nice cks without passive reading: the 12-minute protocol
A clinician-first method to turn CKS topics into exam-ready recall using prompts, self-testing, and spaced re-visits (without copying content).
study with bmj best practice: from point-of-care to exam recall
A non-clinical workflow to use point-of-care resources for revision: extract decision rules, create prompts, and stress-test with questions.
ai search to real learning: the 15-minute convert-and-compress loop
A practical protocol to use AI search safely for study: convert answers into prompts, compress into rules, and lock them in with retrieval + spacing.
anki fsrs settings (2026): fast, stable, low-stress
A practical FSRS setup: desired retention, optimisation cadence, and review-load control — without over-tweaking.
flashcard design rules: make cards that actually work
Turn notes into retrieval prompts: minimum information, discriminating cues, and exam-style decision rules.
ebm stats in 30 minutes: lr, nnt, and odds ratios
A clinician-friendly stats cheatsheet for exams: likelihood ratios, NNT/ARR, and how to avoid odds-ratio traps.
mrcgp sca: consultation skeleton + marking-aware script
A practical SCA structure you can run on autopilot: opening, data-gather, risk, management, shared plan, safety-net — built for 12 remote cases.
plab 2 / mla cpsa: the 8-minute osce choreography
A practical PLAB 2 OSCE workflow built around 16 x 8-minute scenarios: consult structure, time checkpoints, and safety-netting that scores.
akt evidence & data interpretation: the 2026 playbook
A ruthless method for AKT charts, confidence intervals, risk tools and EBM traps—so you stop losing easy marks on “data questions”.
psa calculations & units: the survival guide
A practical, exam-safe system for dose calculations, unit conversions and infusion rates—plus a double-check loop that prevents silly errors.
psa adrs, interactions & “safe prescribing” thinking
A pragmatic method to spot adverse drug reactions, dangerous interactions, and monitoring needs—without memorising endless lists.
ecg interpretation drills for vignette exams
A high-yield ECG method designed for PLAB/MLA/MRCP-style questions: rapid rhythm ID, axis, intervals, ischaemia, and exam-grade wording.
test-enhanced learning: build a weekly loop that actually changes memory
A doctor-friendly practice-testing system: retrieval, feedback, retest scheduling, and minimal note capture.
feedback timing: immediate vs delayed (and the rule doctors should use)
A practical decision rule for review timing that improves learning without turning revision into a time sink.
interleaving implementation: the ‘near-neighbour sets’ method
How to interleave properly: build confusable sets, mix them on purpose, and force discrimination under time pressure.
when to block vs when to interleave: the conditional rule
A pragmatic rule for doctors: block to build the schema, interleave to train discrimination.
a note system for doctors: capture → compress → retrieve (ccr)
Stop writing notes that look clever and start writing notes that drive retrieval, discrimination, and retest scheduling.
longhand vs digital notes: the real variable is ‘processing’, not ink
A practical interpretation of the evidence: when handwriting helps, when typing wins, and how to avoid the verbatim trap.
the ‘decision rule’ note template: from q-bank miss → one sentence → retest
A copy-pasteable template that forces discrimination and makes your notes usable for retrieval practice.
ai guardrails for studying: verification-first prompts (no false mastery)
A safe workflow for using AI without outsourcing thinking: retrieval prompts, source checks, and retest tickets.
sba timing: two-pass, flag codes, and the anti-panic rule
A pacing engine for SBA exams: time caps, flag reason codes, and a disciplined guessing policy that protects easy marks.
likelihood ratios: the only diagnostic maths worth learning
A clinician-friendly way to use LR+ and LR−, convert pre-test to post-test probability, and stop confusing sensitivity with certainty.
forest plots in 7 minutes: effect size, i², and what matters
A fast, reliable script to interpret forest plots, heterogeneity, and certainty — without pretending you’re a statistician.
abg + cxr interpretation drills: fixed scripts, faster marks
Two high-yield interpretation scripts (ABG + chest X-ray) plus a drill system and error labels to compound speed and accuracy.
study with uptodate without passive scrolling: the 15-minute protocol
Turn point-of-care reading into exam-ready recall using decision-points, prompts, and spaced micro-retests (without copying proprietary text).
study with dynamed: the ‘point-of-care to recall’ 12-minute protocol
A fast, repeatable method to convert evidence summaries into prompts, error logs, and spaced retests (without passive reading).
study with clinicalkey (and clinicalkey ai): the ‘evidence to exam’ workflow
A practical way to use ClinicalKey as a learning engine: extract decision points, verify, convert to prompts, and lock it in with spaced retesting.
study with uworld like a diagnostic instrument (not a question bank)
A system for turning UWorld into compounding score gains: classify misses, extract ‘why’, build an error deck, and retest on a schedule.
study with pastest: the past-paper theme extraction system
A Pastest workflow for MRCP-style exams: extract recurring themes, build decision prompts, and retest failures on a schedule.
Planning
the 6-week revision sprint
A final-push plan that converts effort into marks: breadth → depth → simulation.
the 'retrospective' revision timetable
Stop calendar-based revision. Track last reviewed dates and accuracy to study with higher efficiency, target weaknesses, and raise exam scores faster.
the 6-week 'sprint' schedule for plab/ukmla
A high-intensity 6-week plan built for efficiency: broad sweep, weakness targeting, and mocks to maximise scores using retrieval and spacing principles.
the evidence notes system: stay current in 15 minutes a week
A lightweight “knowledge OS” for clinicians: capture questions, store verified sources, and revisit with spaced reviews — without turning life into a dissertation.
mla content map blueprint: turn the pdf into a coverage plan
A planning-first method to convert the MLA Content Map into a weekly tracker, so your revision is measurable and complete, not random.
spacing strategy backwards from exam day: the lag that works
A planning algorithm for spaced revision: choose review intervals based on your retention window, not generic ‘Anki vibes’.
mock debrief playbook: turn a mock into a score jump
A structured debrief loop: timing map, error taxonomy, and a 7-day remediation plan that actually closes gaps.
final 14 days: simulation, weakness targeting, and recovery
A two-week plan that protects sleep, prevents panic, and maximises marks per hour using simulation + targeted retrieval.
msra study plan: blueprint → blocks → mocks
A repeatable MSRA plan anchored in the official PD + CPS structure, with an efficient practice-paper feedback loop.
mrcp(uk) part 1 plan: what to practise and how to review
A practical plan aligned to the official two-paper, best-of-five format — with a mock/debrief system that compounds.
mrcgp akt 2026: format change + high-yield strategy
A practical AKT plan built around the post-Oct 2025 format: time-per-question, section weighting, and a feedback loop that actually moves scores.
prescribing safety assessment: blueprint-driven prep
A PSA strategy that mirrors the 8 item styles: prescribing, review, planning, info, calculations, ADRs, monitoring, data interpretation — with a BNF speed protocol.
mrcp part 2 written: the problem-solving blueprint
A Part 2 plan built around the 2 x 3-hour, 100-question papers: triage, pattern recognition, and a debrief loop that converts misses into points.
mrcp paces (paces23+): the carousel practice protocol
A PACES plan mapped to the carousel: 5 stations, 20-minute moves, and a practice structure that builds clinical signs + communication under pressure.
mrcs part a: the two-paper, five-hour strategy
A Part A plan built around the official 3-hour + 2-hour papers: triage, stamina, and an error loop that prevents repeat misses across modules.
burnout-proof exam prep: the periodised plan
A practical way to study hard without breaking: periodise intensity, protect recovery, and use ‘desirable difficulty’ without drifting into exhaustion.
paces23 communication stations: scripts that score
A station-ready system for explaining diagnoses, discussing risk, shared decisions, consent/capacity and safety-netting—without sounding robotic.
paces23 consultation stations: execution under the clock
A 20-minute consultation blueprint: how to run focused history + exam + explanation + plan, with scoring behaviours baked in.
exam day execution: the checklist that protects marks
A practical, doctor-proof exam day protocol: setup, pacing, micro-breaks, and mistake-proofing under pressure.
osce deliberate practice: the loop that actually raises scores
A station training system using deliberate practice, checklists, and video review — built for repeatability and measurable improvement.
study with passmedicine: the uk exam ‘marks bank’ loop
A PassMedicine workflow that targets predictable marks banks (EBM, thresholds, admin/management) and converts misses into spaced retest prompts.
study with quesmed: the mla-mapped ‘tick-off’ system that actually sticks
A Quesmed workflow for UKMLA-style prep: map coverage, convert weak areas into prompts, and retest until automatic under time pressure.
tutor mode vs timed mode: periodise your qbank like training blocks
A practical decision framework for when to use tutor mode, timed blocks, mixed sets, and full mocks — without guessing.
Productivity
studying while working full-time: the 'micro-dose' method
Use 15-minute micro-sessions to convert dead time into score gains. Mobile retrieval boosts efficiency and retention without needing long study blocks.
decision fatigue: why you should study in the morning
Protect peak cognition to study faster and score higher. Morning retrieval improves efficiency by aligning with circadian performance and reducing late-day strain.
pomodoro for doctors: when fixed breaks help (and when they don’t)
Evidence-informed use of structured breaks to protect focus and mood during revision blocks — without breaking flow.
sleep for exam performance: memory consolidation protocol
A practical sleep strategy for med exams: protect consolidation, avoid pre-exam sleep debt, and use naps and caffeine intelligently without sabotaging recall.
minimum viable revision: the micro-session system for busy doctors
A low-friction study system for rota life: 15–25 minute sessions that compound via retrieval + spacing, without needing ‘free days’ to make progress.
caffeine for exams: a safe, repeatable performance protocol
How to use caffeine strategically without sabotaging sleep: dosing rules, timing, and why ‘new supplements in exam week’ is a trap.
circadian anchors for shiftwork: light, meals, caffeine (doctor-proof)
A practical, evidence-aligned system to protect cognition and keep revision alive during nights/long days.
night shift revision: the 3-tier system (maintain → advance → peak)
A rota-compatible revision protocol that survives nights without burning you out or faking progress.
post-nights recovery: the minimum-damage plan (and how to still learn)
A safe, practical recovery protocol that preserves memory and prevents the classic post-nights ‘lost week’.
cognitive endurance: build stamina for long papers
A 4–6 week stamina ladder that prevents late-paper collapse: sustained attention, micro-breaks, and mock-block conditioning.
study with amboss: the library→qbank→error-loop system
A high-performance workflow for AMBOSS users: convert library content into exam triggers, then close the loop with targeted questions and spaced error retests.
the only error log that actually works: a 30-item, weekly retest system
A minimal, high-leverage error log that compounds: prompts, spaced retesting, and ruthless deletion once automatic.
30-second recall drills: turn dead time into exam points
A library of ultra-short drills you can do between patients, on commutes, or during ward downtime — built for retrieval, not review.
Mindset
managing exam anxiety: the yerkes-dodson curve
Use arousal control to protect working memory and raise scores. Evidence-based breathing and routines improve efficiency under real exam pressure.
recovering from a failed exam: a structural root cause analysis
Treat failure as data. A root-cause approach increases efficiency and scores by separating knowledge, technique, and mindset errors with targeted fixes.
exam anxiety: the 3-minute performance protocol
Breathing + cognitive reappraisal + attention anchor: a simple routine to reduce test anxiety before timed blocks.
metacognition: the calibration protocol (stop fooling yourself)
A practical system to identify what you *think* you know vs what you can retrieve under pressure, using prediction, testing, and an error taxonomy.
calibrating trust in ai: confidence, uncertainty, and ‘when to verify’
A practical trust-calibration framework so AI helps you decide faster—without silently degrading accuracy.
the question miss taxonomy: fix the system, not your motivation
A clinician-grade framework for why you miss questions — and the exact remediation strategy for each miss type.
time-efficient
pubmed search playbook: find the right paper fast
A clinician-grade workflow for PubMed: query anatomy, Boolean operators, phrase searching, filters, MeSH, and citation chaining — without wasting your evening.
paper triage in 7 minutes: decide if it’s worth your time
A time-boxed way to triage papers: abstract-first reading, methods sniff-test, results extraction, and a “trust and relevance” score you can apply on shift.
low-energy
exam-mode
Time-Efficient
Exam-Mode
sjt ranking questions: decision rules that hold under pressure
A non-clinical SJT framework for PD papers: prioritise safety, escalate early, document, and support the team.
cpsa/osce station skeleton: a safe, repeatable structure
A universal station workflow: opening, agenda, data-gathering, synthesis, safety-netting, and closure — MLA-friendly.