A cheat sheet is a document (generally only one page front and back) that contains all of the key information that is likely to be on a test. In some courses, a professor will actually let you bring a cheat sheet to a test to reduce the need for memorization. Even if you can’t use the cheat sheet on a test, the preparation of a cheat sheet is a great way to prepare for a test.

Here are some guidelines for preparing a cheat sheet.

1. Develop the cheat sheet by adding new items on the cheat sheet following each class. This is a way to develop discipline and review the key points covered in class.
2. Write out the cheat sheet by hand. You can get more on the document that way. If you have trouble reading your hand writing at the end of the day, you can try typing it as well. You can change the font size to make everything fit.
3. On any cheat sheet focus on mainly what is being covered in class. Things that your professor placed a lot of emphasis on, anything written down on the board, or material that was discussed extensively should definitely be on your cheat sheet.
4. For Math, Physics, or Engineering courses, include the following items on your cheat sheet.
   • Formulas
   • Example problems worked out
   • The steps used in the problem listed in order
   • Reminders of things to look out for in doing a problem
   • Any rules used to solve problems
   • Definitions
   • For math or chemistry classes, make sure your cheat sheet includes types of problems that you know will be on an upcoming quiz/test. This will make you more familiar with the type of problems and should help you recall each step in the equation in order to find your answer.
5. For Science classes, include the following on the cheat sheet
   • Symbols
   • Sample problems
   • The steps used in the problem listed in order
   • Rules governing a scientific principle
   • Terms/definitions
6. For General Education Requirement classes, include the following on your cheat sheet
   • Names of people and key facts
   • Theories and what they mean
   • Examples of the use of these theories
   • Definitions of terms
   • Dates of significant events
   • Key concepts with how and why they apply
7. See if you can find old tests. Include information about test questions on your cheat sheet
   • If there was a problem that you got wrong on a previous test, make sure to put an example of that problem on the cheat sheet as a guide to find the right answer.
8. Go to your book every once in a while for cheat sheet information. Sometimes the teacher will give a hint of what to focus on and get more detail on a subject they didn’t get too in depth in.
9. Update your cheat sheet after the exam to include information on the exam but not on your cheat sheet. This will be very helpful for your final. Give yourself a grade on what percentage of the test questions you anticipated.
10. Review your cheat sheet for at least 60 minutes every day for a week ahead of the exam. This continual review will help you remember the concepts. If you do this then you won’t have any of those all-nighters that usually only hurt you when preparing for a test.
11. Use your exams as a guideline to prepare cheat sheets for future exams. You’ll know more of what the teacher tests on.
12. Use your cheat sheet as the primary study resource for the final. If you have kept these up-to-date, you should be able to reduce your preparation time for finals.
13. When the teacher is giving notes make sure you are able to sum up everything he/she says so it is easier for you to understand in the future, when you use the cheat sheet.
14. While reading sections out of a book make sure to put those notes in the cheat sheet and reach all the important points.

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