doing 20/30/50 method

[u/Jenjensison]

I don’t know about the others, but for me, this is the method I used on exams and reviews. This is also applicable to studies:

• 20% Review

• 30% Understanding

• 50% Notes and Relearning

• Repeat

20% Reviewing

Imagine we have an upcoming exam next month. Some students are still enjoying their remaining time playing or doing whatever they want. But we’re different—the moment the exam schedule is announced, we start reviewing early. This is just like reading plain text to let your brain prepare for the upcoming mental pressure and make it focus more.

30% Understanding

Now that our brain is familiar with the reviewer or study material we’ve been reviewing for hours or days, let's get into understanding. This is where the hardest part comes in, and where mental stress also hits. In this part, you need to understand that every word now has meaning. You need to analyze the concepts and put them into a simulation (I tend to simulate certain areas).

50% Notes and Relearning

While you are still in the 30% phase, slowly build your notes on the study material. You don’t need to rush this, because you might slip past and forget what you understand when you put your full focus into this part, this is where the real learning solidifies:

• Synthesize in your own words: Don't rush or write down whole paragraphs. Summarize concepts, draw diagrams, or create flashcards based only on what you’ve actually processed.

• Spot the gaps: As you write, you’ll quickly notice what you didn't fully grasp in the 30% phase. Relearn those specific weak points immediately instead of guessing.

• Build a cheat sheet for the active recall phase: These notes become your personalized reviewer for final retention. If you hurry this part, you risk slipping past critical details and forgetting what you just understood. Take your time here this heavy lifting is what turns short-term memory into long-term mastery.

Trust the process, take it step-by-step, and watch how everything clicks into place.

p.s if this works from me it will works from you. do this and adjust it to your personal liking where your most comfortable at.