How I Ranked 1st at Cambridge University - 20 Study Tips, by Ali Abdaal on YouTube. 22 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 22 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours to set up, then daily
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Get the syllabus or exam specification and list every topic it covers. Mark each one as confident, shaky or unknown so you know the full scope of what can be examined.
Start with the topics you marked shaky or unknown. Spend your first study sessions there instead of revising what you already know well.
Build a retrospective revision timetable. Each day, write down what you actually studied and how well it went, then use that record to plan the next day.
Stop rewriting notes. Read a section, close the book and explain it out loud or on a blank page from memory. Check what you missed and repeat.
Aim for understanding rather than memorising. Ask why each step works and connect new ideas to things you already know before moving on.
Work through past papers under timed conditions. Mark them honestly against the mark scheme and note which question types cost you the most marks.
Add a little intentional flair where the examiner rewards it, such as a clear structure, a relevant example or a well-placed diagram. Keep it accurate.
Bank easy marks from coursework and assignments early. Finish them to a good standard so exam revision is not competing with deadlines.
Study with friends and test each other with questions from the syllabus. Explaining an answer out loud shows you whether you really know it.
Set up a dedicated workspace with your materials ready, and schedule short breaks and time to unwind so you can keep the routine going.
Tips and common mistakes
Rewriting notes feels productive but rarely tests your memory, so swap most of it for recall practice.
Mark your own mock exams strictly against the mark scheme to find gaps before the real exam does.
Keep study sessions short and focused, then take a real break away from your desk.
Reading a friend's essay can show you structures and phrasing you had not considered, but write your own answers.
Questions
How many past papers should I do?
Do as many as your timetable allows, starting with one full paper early so you can find your weak areas. Then focus on the question types you keep losing marks on.
Do I need to make notes at all?
Short summaries and flashcards can help, but keep them brief. Most of your time should go to recalling and applying the material, not copying it out.
How do I fit revision around a social life?
Plan study blocks in advance and protect time to unwind. A steady daily routine beats cramming and keeps you from burning out.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
