Sleep before an exam

[Sartre79]

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Is it better to pull an all-nighter and get through most of the material b/4 an exam (the 8 lectures I didn't get to I have studied previously for a quiz, but haven't reviewed since then), or get some sleep (without reviewing those 8 lectures)? I need a 60% to pass the class

 

[Depakote]

Is it better to pull an all-nighter and get through most of the material b/4 an exam (the 8 lectures I didn't get to I have studied previously for a quiz, but haven't reviewed since then), or get some sleep (without reviewing those 8 lectures)? I need a 60% to pass the class

Personally, I'd at least aim for 6 hours of sleep. If not you're going to be a zombie and it will hurt you on the material you already know well.

 

[KECKington]

Is it better to pull an all-nighter and get through most of the material b/4 an exam (the 8 lectures I didn't get to I have studied previously for a quiz, but haven't reviewed since then), or get some sleep (without reviewing those 8 lectures)? I need a 60% to pass the class

I would pull an all nighter. You never know if the material you didnt cover is exactly what the majority of the test will be on. You would feel pretty bad if it was and you had the time to review it again before the test.

Just my 2 pesos.

 

[osli]

My personal experience...

When I pull an all-nighter I'm not at my best, and miss some questions that I "knew" and just didn't get the brain cells firing in time to answer. However, I do just as well on the new material as stuff I already knew pretty well before the all-nighter, and usually make a pretty decent grade (not the route to a record setting grade, but I'll still score above average).

If I don't get to some lectures and get sleep instead (gone this route a couple of times), my performance on lectures I haven't reviewed is maybe 50%, and I do pretty well on the other lectures. Depending on how many lectures I didn't get to, it is very possible that my performance on the whole exam is worse than if I had pulled the all-nighter. Say it is 100 questions, and there are 5 lectures I haven't reviewed (for us, that's 10 questions). I'll miss at least 5 questions if I don't study those lectures, but probably only two or three of the other 90 that I shouldn't have missed if I had slept more.

So I make a weighted judgment call depending on the length of the test and what percentage of questions I'm not prepared for. Anything at ~10% or more of the total, and I stay up and study. Any less, and I sleep and it's a wash.

If you have already studied those lectures your performance might be better than 50%, or whatever, so take that into consideration along with the portion of the exam that those lectures represent.

 

[sprinkibrio]

Sleep 2 or so hrs early in the night (enough for one REM cycle)--not long after you would normally go to sleep. It'll keep you focused enough to study while it's dark, then in the morning the light will give you a second wind. I've done this a few times and never felt slow during a test or sleepy while studying. Maybe I'm weird though. Anyway, I've heard sleep not the night before, but two days before is the most important.

 

[OncoCaP]

Sleep the normal amount (which might be 5 hours or whatever you think you can function well on) before your exam or you'll be missing a bunch of questions that you would not have missed otherwise. You chances of retaining much additional information from those 8 lectures are close to zero anyway unless you're a night owl, in which case you would not have posed the question. Pick a few high yield topics that you can reasonably expect yourself to remember and prioritize. Usually profs have certain topics that you just know are going to be on the exam ... spend time on those and you'll pass.

 

[sendwich]

sleep at least 4 hours and load up on coffee (or if you'd prefer, energy drinks) but not too much or else it won't do you much good.

 

[Slide]

An all-nighter is only going to help you if you've never encountered the material learned, and when I mean by that, I mean by not going to any of the lectures, reading any of the text, etc. I say, get a decent amount of sleep so your test-taking abilities aren't impaired. Sometimes test-taking skills and alertness are what can make the difference between letter grades or pass/fail.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Like everyone else said - it really depends on you and how you function after an all-nighter. I need massive motivation to pull an all-nighter and then I usually manage with straight adrenaline and am pretty pumped the next morning.

But if you know you don't function well then its not worth it.

Another thing is if you are going to pull an all-nighter do it the night before the exam. When I was in undergrad it was common for people to pull all-nighters 2 nights before the exam and sleep the night before. This actually works against you as studies have shown (no I don't have any citations but a psych prof taught my class this in undergrad) that lack of sleep takes about a day to catch up with you. So if you don't sleep Monday night you will actually be exhausted Wed not Tue.

 

[seriously]

i don't really remember the last time i slept the night before an exam, but it must have been sometime in high school. i've never slept well (as in, they put me on ambien at the tender age of 12), and i'm always way too hyped up the night before an exam to sleep soundly. so long, long ago, i realized it just made more sense to pull an all-nighter, then i wouldn't toss and turn all night or lose valuable study hours. plus i procrastinate ridiculously, so i usually desperately need those hours. by the time the test rolls around, i have a pretty solid adrenaline surge going that keeps me uber-focused. dunno how this will work out for step 1 tho... 😱

 

[Mr. Tee]

Yup it varies from person to person. For me personally I'm just as focused during a test after pulling an all-nighter. However it takes ~5 cups of coffee to stay awake for one whole night.

 

[Sartre79]

I decided to all-night it. I think the admin at my school are a bunch of sadists. They scheduled a test last Tuesday, a quiz that was worth a substantial portion of our grade on Friday, and now this Final tmr (mon) that is over 47 lectures. Most are struggling to get through the material. It's been a pretty grueling week.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Depends on you. I can be fine and clear after not sleeping. However, I rarely do it. My common thing is getting about 2-3 hours of sleep.

 

[doctorFred]

studies have repeatedly shown that your mind is significantly better at sorting and consolidating new information after some period of sleep. i don't know how long that has to be, but at least a few hours.

 

[Doctor J]

How about studying all course long and not having to pull an all-nighter the night before an exam?

Don't mean to be mean here, just pointing out the obvious. Sleep is important, studying is important. Why make yourself choose one or the other?

 

[Sartre79]

How about studying all course long and not having to pull an all-nighter the night before an exam?

Don't mean to be mean here, just pointing out the obvious. Sleep is important, studying is important. Why make yourself choose one or the other?

Well, I had a 91% going into the test, but still had to cram (as did most of the class) to go over the material one last time. It's just the way my school's curric is set up. But, thanks for judging without knowing the facts. 🙄

 

[TMP-SMX]

I don't know anyone that doesn't cram before exams.

 

[def jeff]

I pulled an all- nighter last week for my neuro test. Conclusion: don't do it. I did not sleep from probably 12 pm till 12 pm the next day (my test was at like 9 am) and I felt like a zombie the entire time I was taking the test. This was probably the first time I have done this since freshman year when I wrote a 15 or so page term paper the night before for some socialist philosophy class. During my test, I basically was having a hard time telling my right from my left. Although I did pass the test (just barely) I learned my lesson big time. Don't do it! Ha, I need at least the 2 hrs I usually get the night before the test, of course because I stupidly did not learn my lesson (for the 146th time) and waited until the last minute to get serious.

 

[OncoCaP]

Yeah, having pulled a gadzillion all-nighters and partial all-nighters (go to bed at 3am, etc.) before tests and project deadlines, I'm convinced that unless you have a project or takehome test due that you just turn in (very rare in med school), it's rarely worth pulling a true all-nighter (no sleep at all) to study for a test. You're usually better off having a rested brain with at least some minimal sleep (even if it's just a few hours).

Also, here's to studying during the course *and* before the exam (I don't see it as an either-or thing).👍

 

[Sartre79]

It is hard to explain and I usually don't do all-nighters b/c I'm 28 and frankly my mind/body cant really take it anymore. But, right now we are in a "hell block" where the last 2 months have been 8 hrs of lecture, with weekly quizzes on fridays. We have 5 classes going on right now, and it was unfortunately necessary for most of the class to cram for this last test b/c our quiz grades matter a lot more (40% of our grade) for our other classes compared to this one (only 15%). Plus we had to memorize like 32 genetic diseases so on, etc. Luckily, i passed and can focus my attention to my next 2 finals...🙁

 

[Doctor J]

Well, I had a 91% going into the test, but still had to cram (as did most of the class) to go over the material one last time. It's just the way my school's curric is set up. But, thanks for judging without knowing the facts. 🙄

I did say I was just pointing out the obvious. I am not judging without facts - the facts are that even 'hell blocks' in the pre-clinical years can be successfully tackled without all-night cram sessions the night before the exam.

There will be people who say 'oh no, never, our school is really sticking it to us', which of course is totally false. You will never be happy with your grade until you admit that you have complete control over the amount and timing of your studying. There are 168 hours in a week and the fact is that a lot of us (myself included at times) just don't manage our time well enough - but this is not the fault of our curriculum, it is our fault for not having the foresight to plan our studying around all the rest of the stuff we have to do.

I'm told 3rd year studying is done in fits and spurts, 5 minutes here, half an hour there. Time management will be crucial during those rough clerkships.

But I'm glad you did well. I just hope you, and others, don't have to sacrifice sleep to do so.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

No need to pull all nighters unless you're screwing around at other times.

 

[Sartre79]

Well, I'm afraid me and the majority of my 124 classmates would probably disagree with you in this particular instance. Most of us won't pull all-nighters for our finals this Tues and Thurs...but it was inevitable for a vast majority of us given how things were scheduled for this particular test. I put in long days of studying at the library, and don't slack on the weekends, so I know it's not b/c I was sitting at home playing video games, watching TV, so on etc. It really irks me when SDNers come in here with their "shoulds" and "oughts", but whatever...nothing I say is going to change your opinion, so I won't waste my time.

Good day, sir!

 

[KECKington]

Well, I'm afraid me and the majority of my 124 classmates would probably disagree with you in this particular instance. Most of us won't pull all-nighters for our finals this Tues and Thurs...but it was inevitable for a vast majority of us given how things were scheduled for this particular test. I put in long days of studying at the library, and don't slack on the weekends, so I know it's not b/c I was sitting at home playing video games, watching TV, so on etc. It really irks me when SDNers come in here with their "shoulds" and "oughts", but whatever...nothing I say is going to change your opinion, so I won't waste my time.

Good day, sir!

You forgot to mention how you know it's not b/c you also Do not POST ON SND!😴

 

[Sartre79]

You forgot to mention how you know it's not b/c you also Do not POST ON SND!😴

Yeah, cuz the 2 min I take to mistakenly get the opinion of wanks like you are really going to throw me off....oh and I forgot that the superduper SDN super geniuses never look away from their notes b/c it compromises their integrity. Jesus. 😴

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah, cuz the 2 min I take to mistakenly get the opinion of wanks like you are really going to throw me off....oh and I forgot that the superduper SDN super geniuses never look away from their notes b/c it compromises their integrity. Jesus. 😴

Don't feed the trolls.

 

[KECKington]

Yeah, cuz the 2 min I take to mistakenly get the opinion of wanks like you are really going to throw me off....oh and I forgot that the superduper SDN super geniuses never look away from their notes b/c it compromises their integrity. Jesus. 😴

SDN super geniuses who could never look away from their notes would be a misnomer on your part. They could never sign up on this site if they never looked away from their notes.

I merely was stating if you are THAT far behind, then stop posting right now and go study. By asking us what to do you just are coping out. If you listen to us and end up getting a bad grade you can blame it on our advice instead of because you failed to manage your time.

You should have set a schedule and stuck to it.

Just my 2 pesos!

 

[Sartre79]

SDN super geniuses who could never look away from their notes would be a misnomer on your part. They could never sign up on this site if they never looked away from their notes.

I merely was stating if you are THAT far behind, then stop posting right now and go study. By asking us what to do you just are coping out. If you listen to us and end up getting a bad grade you can blame it on our advice instead of because you failed to manage your time.

You should have set a schedule and stuck to it.

Just my 2 pesos!

1. I don't think I would/could really blame a message board for my performance on a test. Post a thread on an annonymous forum to sample for opinion is a bit different than literally living by what people post (I really can't believe you brought this up as part of your arguement).
2. I really don't know how you can give scheduling advice when you really don't know what my schedule looks like. I put in my hours just like everyone else, so I really don't appreciate you making assumptions and negating my efforts.

 

[KECKington]

1. I don't think I would/could really blame a message board for my performance on a test. Post a thread on an annonymous forum to sample for opinion is a bit different than literally living by what people post (I really can't believe you brought this up as part of your arguement).
2. I really don't know how you can give scheduling advice when you really don't know what my schedule looks like. I put in my hours just like everyone else, so I really don't appreciate you making assumptions and negating my efforts.

1. Then you shouldnt be getting so mad at peopl's posts then. And I do believe your looking for something to blame.

2. Your efforts are not good enough (as indicated by your very first post). I never get behind in school. In my class the peeple who get behind in the material by more than a day or so, we call LA_Y.

3. Before you attack my posts be able to spell argument right!

 

[Sartre79]

1. Then you shouldnt be getting so mad at peopl's posts then. And I do believe your looking for something to blame.

2. Your efforts are not good enough (as indicated by your very first post). I never get behind in school. In my class the peeple who get behind in the material by more than a day or so, we call LA_Y.

3. Before you attack my posts be able to spell argument right!

WORD SCRAMBLE!!!!! (hint...think dyslexia)

mlow be

 

[Sartre79]

1. Then you shouldnt be getting so mad at peopl's posts then. And I do believe your looking for something to blame.

2. Your efforts are not good enough (as indicated by your very first post). I never get behind in school. In my class the peeple who get behind in the material by more than a day or so, we call LA_Y.

3. Before you attack my posts be able to spell argument right!

Didn't you also post this in another forum??? so not only are you an a-hole, you're a hypocrite. Nice combo


You dont really have to be both. I am just very very smart. I usually cram 2 days before the exam (even now in medschool) and still manage to be in the top 10%. I didnt do much x-curics cuz I am kind of lazy but I still got in. So I would say you can be both, or just very smart. Not sure if just motivated will get you there.]

Just my 2 pesos

 

[KECKington]

Didn't you also post this in another forum??? so not only are you an a-hole, you're a hypocrite. Nice combo


You dont really have to be both. I am just very very smart. I usually cram 2 days before the exam (even now in medschool) and still manage to be in the top 10%. I didnt do much x-curics cuz I am kind of lazy but I still got in. So I would say you can be both, or just very smart. Not sure if just motivated will get you there.]

Just my 2 pesos

How am I a hypocrite? I am smart enough to be able to do this, stay in top 10% and get through all the material without not covering stuff , all the while never pulling all nighters. YOU however cannot. You are the one crying not me, so I dont see your meaningless point.

 

[Sartre79]

How am I a hypocrite? I am smart enough to be able to do this, stay in top 10% and get through all the material without not covering stuff , all the while never pulling all nighters. YOU however cannot. You are the one crying not me, so I dont see your meaningless point.

Intelligence can only take you up to a certain point...if you lack a personality it really won't matter how intelligent you are b/c everyone will think your a dick. Good luck though.

 

[KECKington]

Intelligence can only take you up to a certain point...if you lack a personality it really won't matter how intelligent you are b/c everyone will think your a dick. Good luck though.

And if you have neither, It wont really matter how much you complain b/c everyone will stop listening........as I am stopping right now.

 

[Sartre79]

And if you have neither, It wont really matter how much you complain b/c everyone will stop listening........as I am stopping right now.

Awwww come on. You know you don't have anything else to do. It's not like you have much of a social life, or are getting any tail. You're too busy alienating everyone around you b/c of your low self-esteem....but hey, you hold on to that "I'm smarter than you are" stuff kiddo...It's gonna take you far in life 😉

 

[KECKington]

Awwww come on. You know you don't have anything else to do. It's not like you have much of a social life, or are getting any tail. You're too busy alienating everyone around you b/c of your low self-esteem....but hey, you hold on to that "I'm smarter than you are" stuff kiddo...It's gonna take you far in life 😉

Says the person who keeps posting me back!

 

[Sartre79]

Says the person who keeps posting me back!

I'm married, so I don't have to pay for it like you do.

 

[The Buff]

dunno how this will work out for step 1 tho... 😱

Worked fine for me! Seriously, I havent slept the night before a test in ages and if you are used to it you can pull off that morning test no problem. Even Step 1, which lasted all day, was fine for me on no sleep. The caveat is that you have to build up on sleep beforehand, which sometimes is not possible during school (esp. rotations). In the end, I think if you are a night owl and used to it, you can do fine on morning tests after cramming all night before.

 

[KECKington]

I'm married, so I don't have to pay for it like you do.

Yeah but I have coupons so it doesnt cost that much!

 

[Sartre79]

Yeah but I have coupons so it doesnt cost that much!

two things you should never have to pay for: water, and sex

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

It is quite variable and dependant on how well you work on low sleep..the best grade I got this year I had about 2 hours of sleep.

 

[vincikai]

.

 

[F12]

OP: Personally, I would do the material and skimp on the sleep. However, I'm used to taking exams on 2 hrs' sleep, so that's just me.

Some ppl need 6+ hours before an exam; some need a lot less. My buddy who is at the top of the class pulls allnighters before every exam and still rocks them.... go figure. 😕

 

[naegleria brain]

studies have repeatedly shown that your mind is significantly better at sorting and consolidating new information after some period of sleep. i don't know how long that has to be, but at least a few hours.

those studies assumed that no extra information was learned during the not-sleeping.

sorry, i dont care how much you sleep, if you know nothing about quantum mechanics and have an exam on it, learn some of the material and try to pass, rather than resting well and being alert and wide-eyed after you fail miserably

of course, if you know your stuff, are you a workhorse who will one day be taking three-days of call in a row or a chill family-med guy who needs his sleep and morning donut?

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I slept ~2 hours (sometimes a bit less) before EVERY exam in med school and I did very well.

Sleep is over-rated.

Keep studying bro.

 

[kevster2001]

Depends. From your situation i'd pull an allnighter. BUt if you've already gone over the material at least once, it's better to just sleep. never really had to pull an all night ever

 

[TrustDrDice]

Well, I had a 91% going into the test, but still had to cram (as did most of the class) to go over the material one last time. It's just the way my school's curric is set up. But, thanks for judging without knowing the facts. 🙄

Everybody crams in med school you ******* - I don't know anyone who doesn't cram so quit thinking you're special. And why the **** are you so worried about cramming when you have a 91% going into the test. You are one of those gunners, aren't you? I outta stick my prick in a freezer and cold cock ya for making such a statement.

 

[def jeff]

two things you should never have to pay for: water, and sex

Dude, quit kidding yourself.

Google "cost of sex"

 

[lilnoelle]

I don't think I could ever pull an all nighter. Theres been quite a few times that I've intended to stay up late and study the night before a test, and I just can't concentrate past a certain time at night. I usually end up going to bed around 10 or 11, and even then my "late night" studying was probably not efficient.
I can stay up later than that, don't get me wrong - but only for mindless things like SDN or a movie. I can't study well after 10 pm.

 

[samenewme]

I'd say do waht you have to do for this exam (which is probably over by now anyway) and then try to plan your time in the future so you don't have to make this decision again. I have never pulled an all-nighter. If I get < 4 hours of sleep, I make stupid mistakes by not reading the questions well or thoroughly. I aim for 6-7 hours. I'd sleep 8 if I could, but I can't stay asleep that long.