How To Pass Medical School Exams! | Revision Tips | Study Tips and Tricks
- Mike Poplawski
- Dec 6, 2023
- 2 min read
How to Study Effectively: A GP's Guide to Mastering Medical School
Hansel MTS raises a common question on Instagram: how much do GPs remember from medical school? As a practicing GP and university tutor, I understand the struggle. In this guide, I'll share my proven study techniques that helped me ace my exams and navigate medical school without failing, even though my success with driver's license tests took a few attempts.
1. Know Your Chronotype
If you read the amazing book “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker, you will be familiar with the terms Lark and Owl. Are you a morning person? Or are you a night person? I am definitely a morning person so that’s when I plan my most labour-intensive revision activities, which is basically learning new material or new guidelines. If I have the day off, my mornings will typically be with a book, but if I’m driving to work – I’ll use an audiobook. And if only there was an excellent audiobook with cross-referenced guidelines that I could listen to in the car…. ;) in the evenings though I’m happy to practice cases and do some online test questions for example.
2. Work and Breaks
Pomodoro is a great idea. 25 mins work and a 5 mins break and then repeat. And that works quite well for a lot of people. Personally, my ratio is an hour and a half and then a 30 minute break and I will typically do 4 of those in a day. But what’s important here is to avoid doing what I would call “fun” things in your 30mins break – so that means no computer, no phones, no Nintendo. You are pretty much so bored, but not studying, that you can’t wait to get back to your next 1.5h. Nonetheless, I feel that that period of inactivity as it were is crucial for your brain to recover.
3. Sleep
Back in the day, there were these romantic notions that the only way medical students could survive med school was by working in the day and then staying up all night studying. I personally have never pulled an all-nighter and I have also never failed any of my medical exams. And trust me, I’m no genius. Sleep is by far one of the most important things when it comes to consolidating knowledge, and you need to make sure you get plenty of it. In this video I talked about resources that I send to patients as a GP and one of them is a 1 pager with the basic sleep hygiene principles. If you don’t know these already, please follow the link in the description below and your mind, body and soul will thank you.
4. BONUS - My Most Controversial Tip
Here's a controversial tip: avoid alcohol, especially before exams. Not because of drunken escapades, but because even small quantities can disrupt your sleep—hampering the vital knowledge consolidation process. The Polish phrase "zakui zdai zapi zappomni" highlights this crucial order.
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These tips are really practical! I’ve noticed that for students studying abroad, having a quiet and supportive place to stay can really help with focus and exam preparation. Student Accommodation in Cranfield provides a comfortable environment and guidance on courses and universities, which makes managing studies much easier.
Passing medical school exams takes smart planning, consistent effort, and strategic study habits. Start by creating a realistic revision schedule that breaks the syllabus into manageable blocks and spreads review across weeks rather than cramming. Use active learning techniques like summarizing lecture notes, creating flashcards, and drawing diagrams to understand complex concepts better.
Staying motivated is easier when you have clear goals and future plans. Exploring opportunities like greenwich university courses can remind you of the exciting paths your medical education might lead to. With consistent study habits, active revision strategies, and a focus on understanding rather than memorizing, you’ll be well‑prepared to pass your medical school exams with confidence.
This is an excellent guide for medical students! Your tips on aligning study with chronotype, structured work and breaks, and prioritizing sleep are crucial for retaining complex information and avoiding burnout. I particularly like the reminder that all-nighters aren’t the secret to success—smart, consistent study beats cramming any day.
For students planning to study abroad, having a stable and supportive environment is just as important as study techniques. Choosing the right place to live can help maintain routines, focus, and overall wellbeing. For those heading to the UK, finding the right student accommodation in Leicester ensures you have a comfortable, distraction-free space to implement these study strategies while enjoying the full international student experience.
How To Pass Medical School Exams! | Revision Tips | Study Tips and Tricks offers practical guidance for students aiming to manage heavy syllabi and perform under pressure. The tips focus on smart revision planning, active recall, time management, and consistent practice—strategies that work across disciplines. Just like using an ielts free mock test helps language learners assess readiness and improve weak areas, regular self-testing and analysis are key for medical students too. With the right techniques, focused practice, and discipline, cracking medical school exams becomes more achievable.
Passing medical school exams demands more than long study hours—it requires effective revision techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice with past papers and clinical-style questions. Creating structured study plans, focusing on high-yield topics, and revising consistently can improve retention and reduce last-minute stress. Maintaining balance through proper sleep and short breaks also plays a key role in sustaining focus during intense preparation. As students progress in their medical education and consider future academic or international study options, smart planning becomes essential. Taking time to research universities, career pathways, and practical aspects such as Anglia Ruskin University fees helps ensure informed decisions alongside academic success.