Is it better to sleep before an exam or study?
Asked by: Prof. Jaycee Okuneva | Last update: December 30, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (66 votes)
Studies have shown that students who sleep more perform better than those who stayed up to cram. There's no shortcut to a great exam score. If you have an important test coming up, you need to remember that it's about investing as much time and effort into your health and well-being as it is studying the material.
Is it better to study before or after sleeping?
Abstract. Early studies in which it was found that learning followed by sleep was better remembered than learning followed by wakefulness were interpreted as giving support for the Interference Theory of Forgetting.
Is it better to sleep or study when you are sleepy?
- If you are feeling sleepy while studying then it's better to sleep, studying instead.
- You will lose study and rest both at the same time if you continue studying.
What should I do 30 minutes before an exam?
It's advisable to avoid cramming as it can lead to anxiety and fatigue. Instead, a quick and focused review of your study material can help refresh your memory. Additionally, simple relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises or visualizing success, can help in reducing stress.
Does sleep help you do better on tests?
Research shows that sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive function, which are vital for exam performance. A brief nap of about 20-30 minutes can refresh your mind and improve focus, while staying awake may lead to decreased performance due to fatigue. Prioritize sleep to maximize your exam readiness.
What staying up all night does to your brain - Anna Rothschild
Is 5 hours sleep enough for a student?
According to the Sleep Health Foundation, it's recommended that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. This means that less than 6 hours and more than 11 hours isn't a healthy amount of sleep.
Should I nap before an exam?
When it comes to retaining new information, napping has been proven to be even more effective than cramming. There is a delicate balance between napping just enough and napping too much, though. Limit your naps to 20 to 30 minutes, and plan for naps to end by late afternoon.
Do brain breaks improve test scores?
Studies have identified positive associations between brain breaks and attention to task, academic achievement, and academic behavior as teachers reported increased focus and engagement and decreases in behavioral problems after introducing brain breaks (Baker, 2017).
How to wake your brain up for an exam?
Mild exercises like jogging, running or some yoga will send oxygen to your mind which improves your cognitive abilities so you'll become more alert and energized for the exam. Try to incorporate 15-20 minutes of walking or jogging into your routine and you'll see some miraculous benefits.
How much sleep do I need before an exam?
How Much Sleep Should You Get Before an Exam? To feel fully rested, most adults require seven to nine hours of sleep. For adolescents, it's about an hour more. However, if you're thinking one good night's rest before exam day is enough, you're wrong.
Should I sleep if I'm sleepy?
Sleepiness or drowsiness is a cue to get ready to sleep. You should naturally prepare yourself by settling down into bed. Yoou make ourselves comfortable and, if everything goes to plan, you are soon asleep. If you crawl into bed feeling fatigued, but not sleepy, this may not result in sleep.
What is the best time to study and memorize?
That said, science has indicated that learning is most effective between 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm, when the brain is in an acquisition mode. On the other hand, the least effective learning time is between 4 am and 7 am.
How can I focus 100% on studying?
- Create a Study Space. To improve your concentration, start by creating a dedicated study space. ...
- Make a Study Routine. ...
- Set Yourself Goals. ...
- Minimise Distractions. ...
- Listen to Music. ...
- Sleep Helps You Learn. ...
- Feed Your Brain. ...
- Exercise Regularly.
Should I sleep or study more when tired?
If you're really flagging during a study session, your learning ability is probably suffering too. A nap was found to improve memory scores on a test in one study, suggesting that a quick sleep could help to refresh your mind and consolidate all that learning.
What time is the brain most active?
According to scientists, the brain is most alert and teachable at 10 am–2 pm and 4 pm–10 pm. (Source: Amber Student). If you would like to optimise your attention span and practise deep learning, then science advises you to study between the hours of 4 am and 7 am. This period is best for deep focus.
What to do 20 minutes before a test?
1) Exercise Before Exam
A study from the University of Illinois that was focused on how to get better test scores found that 20 minutes of exercise, like walking, running, or even cycling, can help to boost your test scores.
Does eating improve test scores?
School districts that increased calories on test days experienced increases in 5th grade pass rates of 11, 6, and 6 percent respectively on the mathematics, English, and history/social studies tests.
How long is a good brain break?
Research shows that taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.
Is it better to pull an all-nighter or sleep 2 hours?
Sleeping beyond the minimum 90-minute cycle may mean you fall deeper into your sleep cycle and will find it much harder to wake up. The best answer to this question is that some sleep is always better than none. Trying to get in a power nap or achieving that full 90-minute cycle is better for you than no sleep at all.
How long before an exam should you stop studying?
I recommend stopping studying 12-18 hours before the exam, depending on the test. This will give you ample time to relax and decompress, ensuring that you come into the exam fresh and ready to crush it.
Is a 20-minute nap good for studying?
What's The Best Nap Length For Study? A 20-minute power sleep is typically regarded as the ideal duration, this is according to research from Harvard and other schools conducted over the previous 30 years.
Is it unhealthy to sleep during the day and be awake at night?
The Drawbacks
Another challenge of a reverse sleep schedule is that it can disrupt our circadian rhythms or the body's internal clock. Our bodies are designed to be awake during the day and asleep at night, and disrupting this rhythm can have negative effects on our physical and mental health.
How much sleep is too little?
For adults, getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on a regular basis has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression.
Why do college students sleep so much?
Many factors contribute to this, including the students' own circadian physiology. Class times are often scheduled without consideration of young adults' circadian patterns. Inadequate sleep hygiene is common, as students often use technology and substances that compromise sleep quality and quantity.