Mind Map to Improve Examination Review

A Practical Study Skill for Exam Preparation, Review and Revision

Jul 29, 2009

Mind Maps can improve exam preparation and results, as they complement the way the brain works and aid memory. Crucially, Mind Maps also help recall in an examination.

Mind Maps incorporate images, words and color to aid memory, improving review for exams. They also complement the way the brain works making use of both logic and creativity. Knowing how to create Mind Maps is a helpful study skill for anyone facing revision and preparation for an examination.

What is a Mind Map

According to Tony Buzan “A Mind Map is the ultimate organizational thinking tool.”

Mind Maps can be extremely useful when preparing for exams as there is a lot of information to be organised during revision and then recalled during the examination.

A Mind Map is a drawing with all the information organised in the way best suited to the individual – there is never one correct mind map. There are many sample Mind Maps available online, for example a Mind Map showing exam tips.

How to Create a Mind Map for Revision

Start in the middle of the paper (as usual) with the course name and create branches for each of the main topics studied. These may be the major blocks covered or the major course themes or the main curriculum areas.

Review the course notes for each of these main topics and add the major themes to the map, as well as any personal insights, ideas or reflection that emerge whilst creating the map. Use colours and different pens to make the map memorable and interesting. Add important details such as names, dates and formulas too, making these less prominent than the main ideas of the course.

It is likely that more than one piece of paper will be needed. To start a new map, take one of the ideas from the Mind Map, copy it into the center of the new Mind Map and start mapping again.

For example, a course with three major topics might have a main map with the course title, a branch for each of the three topics and further branches about the whole subject area. Each major topic might then have a whole new map.

Make connections between the different areas of the map too (for example, using a dotted line, or a highlighter pen).

Using a Mind Map to Help Recall in an Examination

Preparing the map helps with study as it forces a review of the course material and reinforces recollection by writing it down or drawing it on a map.

Keeping maps where they can be seen and reviewing them often will help memorize the mind maps. Redrawing the maps (in the same format as before) also helps with revision. Eventually, maps can be redrawn from memory.

For example, by leaving the maps stuck on a wall and regularly studying them, it will become possible to imagine the wall – including the detail of each map. The maps can then be recreated from memory. During an examination, picturing the wall and the maps will help with recall of the information. Maps can also be recreated during the examination (on spare paper) to aid memory.

Mind Maps on Computer

It is also possible to use Mind Mapping Software which allows Mind Maps to be created and stored on computer. This is particularly useful for revision, as the maps can then be easily amended and printed.

Mastering the use of Mind Maps can be an important study skill as they can be used to improve review, revision and preparation for examinations.

The copyright of the article Mind Map to Improve Examination Review in Study Skills is owned by Dawn Brewer. Permission to republish Mind Map to Improve Examination Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.