Study guide template

Four printable layouts, each built around a different way of revising. Pick one, type into it or print it blank.

Topic outline

Main topic 1

Supporting points, examples, diagrams

Main topic 2

Supporting points, examples, diagrams

Main topic 3

Supporting points, examples, diagrams

Questions I should be able to answer

How to make a study guide by hand

  1. Gather the syllabus first, not your notes. The exam covers the learning objectives; build the guide around them.
  2. One topic per section. Rearrange lecture material by topic, even if it was taught out of order.
  3. Write definitions in your own words. Copying the textbook definition teaches you to recognise it, not explain it.
  4. End every section with questions and answer them without looking. This is the part most students skip and the part that matters most.
  5. Keep it short. If your guide is as long as your notes, it is a copy, not a guide.

Short on time? Paste your notes into the study guide maker and it fills in the outline, key terms and questions for you. Taking notes in the Cornell format also gives you a ready-made guide page by page.

Questions students ask

What should a study guide template include?

At minimum: the topic and exam date, the key terms with definitions, the main ideas in outline form, and a set of questions you can answer from memory. The best templates end in questions, because self-testing is what makes a guide effective.

Which study guide template should I use?

Use the Topic outline for content-heavy subjects like history or biology, the Key terms grid for vocabulary-heavy units, the Question-first layout for exam revision, and the One-page summary for a final review sheet the night before.

Can I fill in the template on my computer?

Yes. Type into any box on screen and print the finished guide, or print it blank and fill it in by hand. Handwriting it is slower, and that effort is part of why it helps you remember.

Is there a faster way?

Paste your notes into the study guide maker on the home page and it fills in the same parts (summary, outline, key terms, questions) automatically. Then print it or edit it by hand.

Keep going