Exam preparation · lesson 12 of 24 · free

Making notes: Cornell and mind maps — Exam preparation tips

Good notes are short, in your own words and built for recall. Cornell notes split the page: a big column for notes, a narrow cue column on the left for key questions, and a summary at the bottom — cover the notes and answer the cues. A mind map puts the main topic in the centre with branches for subtopics, one keyword per branch, colours and small icons — great for seeing how ideas link.

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Study tip

Notes you can test yourself with — “short notes in your own words, with cues and a summary”

  1. Cornell notes: notes in the big column, cue questions in the left column, a summary at the bottom.
  2. Mind map: main topic in the centre, branches for subtopics, one keyword per branch, colours and small icons.
  3. Good habits: your own words, short keywords, clear headings, a look within a day. Poor: copying word for word, writing every line, never looking again.

Use it for: Class notes, chapter summaries, revision sheets and planning essays.

Worked example: 📝 Which kind of notes has this feature: a cue column on the left? → Cornell notes

  1. The cue column holds key questions for recall.
  2. So it is a feature of Cornell notes.

Check: Try it: make one page of Cornell notes or one mind map for today’s chapter ✓

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✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 12 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Study Skills Worksheet: Cornell Notes and Mind Maps

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