How to Make Study Cards
Study cards, also known as flash cards, help students to prepare for tests. Students learn the material both when they make the study cards and when they spend time reviewing the study cards and trying to say or write the answers before checking the card to see if they are correct. Language classes and vocabulary tests are two of the most common applications for study cards, although they can also be adapted for other class and test formats.
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Things You'll Need
- Index cards or cardstock
- Scissors (if using cardstock)
- Pen
- Study guide
- Textbook
- Class notes
Instructions
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1
Cut thick paper to an appropriate size for your study cards. Some options include index cards measuring 3 inches by 5 inches, 5 inches by 7 inches, or either of those dimensions cut in half if there will not be much material written on each card. If index cards are not available, cut printer paper or cardstock into rectangles.
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Gather the material that needs to be studied for the upcoming test. If the teacher provided a study guide or general comments on the format of the test, use these to help determine what material should go on the study cards.
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3
Write a cue on one side of the study card. This should remind you what you need to know for this element of the test. The cue can be a word in English if you need to know the foreign equivalent, a vocabulary word that needs to be defined or an essay question that needs to be outlined.
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Draw a picture or print out a diagram and glue it to the card if you will need to identify visual elements on a test. Some times when this technique applies are when studying geography, anatomy or some mathematical concepts that include graphs.
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Write the answer on the other side of the study card. If possible, put the answer in your own words. This will help you to learn the answers as you write the study cards, rather than mindlessly copying information from a book. If the answer is long, as it would be when studying for an essay test, write down a few bullet points that you need to know in order to write a longer answer.
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Tips & Warnings
Each card should contain only one piece of information. Including too many questions on each card can be overwhelming. If you feel wasteful using so many cards, then cut them in half or in thirds.
If you prefer not to write study cards by hand, many websites allow users to create study cards for review on the computer or to print. You could also make study cards in a simple word processing program, print them on both sides of paper and cut them apart.
