What is the PQRST method or study technique?
The PQRST method is a study technique that stands for Preview, Question, Read, State, and Test. The PQRST method is designed to enhance comprehension, retention, and recall of information by encouraging active engagement with the study material. The method involves the following 5 steps:
Preview: Identify the main ideas
Question: Ask relevant questions about the material
Read: Read the material and actively look for answers to the questions you asked
Summarize: Create a summary to help the information get into long-term memory
Test: Test your understanding of the material
Conquer Your Studies with the PQRST Method: A Detailed Guide
The PQRST method is a powerful tool for transforming passive reading into active learning. This method prioritizes the information based on how it might appear in exams, making it a strategic approach to test preparation. It equips you with a systematic approach to understanding, retaining, and recalling information effectively. Here’s a breakdown of each step:
Here’s a breakdown of the PQRST method, complete with step-by-step instructions:
P: Preview
Step 1: Preview (Get the Big Picture)
Imagine yourself entering a museum exhibit. Before diving into details, you’d likely scan the layout and key displays to get a sense of the overall experience. Previewing your study material serves the same purpose.
- Table of Contents: Start by examining the table of contents in your textbook, syllabus, or course pack. This gives you an overview of the chapter structure, major topics, and the relative importance of each section based on the space allocated. For instance, a history textbook might have sections on different eras, with subsections detailing important battles or elections.
- Headings, Summaries, and Keywords: Scan headings, chapter summaries, or bolded keywords to get a sense of the content. These elements offer a glimpse into what the chapter or section covers, setting the stage for deeper reading. Sometimes, visuals like pictures, maps, or diagrams can also serve the same purpose.
- First and Last Sentences: First and Last Sentences (if needed): In the absence of a table of contents or clear summaries, read the first and last sentences of each paragraph. This provides a quick glimpse into the content and helps you follow the flow of ideas. You can identify the subject matter and how the author approaches it (comparative study, historical overview, etc.). This technique provides a quick grasp of the content and helps you follow the chain of ideas.
Study Technique – Mihiraa | Photo by George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/serious-woman-writing-ideas-in-notebook-near-laptop-and-books-7034452/
Q: Question
Step 2: Question (Turn Headings into Inquiries)
- Turn Headings into Questions: Convert subject headings or subheadings into questions you aim to answer by the end of your study session. For instance, convert the heading “Einstein’s Theory of Relativity” into the question “What is Einstein’s Theory of Relativity?”
- Preview-Based Questions: Write down any questions that arise during your initial preview of the material. These questions can stem from your understanding of the content. If the text includes study questions, incorporate them into your list.
- Prior Knowledge Questions: Utilize your existing knowledge (or even misconceptions) of the topic to create questions that seek clarification. The goal is to clarify your understanding. For example, ask, “Is it true that bears hibernate for half a year?” These questions will be addressed as you study, promoting accurate knowledge retention.
R: Read
Step 3: Read (Actively Engage with Content)
- Cluster Reading: Instead of focusing on individual words, train your eyes to absorb clusters of words as units. This reduces the number of pauses while reading, leading to smoother comprehension and faster reading speed. Maintain this cluster reading habit throughout your studying. Essentially, read through an entire paragraph about a topic rather than stopping after the first sentence that introduces it.
- Highlighting Key Points: As you read through paragraphs, identify and highlight the main points. Each paragraph typically contains one central idea supported by other details. Highlighting helps you refer back to essential information without rereading the entire passage. Consider making marginal notes for important details.
- Evaluate Your Understanding: Choose intervals for pausing your reading and evaluating your comprehension (e.g., every 10 minutes or chapter). Ask yourself if you are learning from the text or if you have absorbed all the details. Reread sections if necessary.
S: Summarize/Self-Recite
Step 4: Summarize or Self-Recite (Process and Retain)
Create Notes Yourself – MIhiaa | Photo by George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/serious-woman-writing-ideas-in-notebook-near-laptop-and-books-7034452/
- Craft Notes in Your Style: Based on your reading and questions, create notes for yourself. Include the questions, answers, and any other vital information that resonated with you. Choose a note-taking format that works best for you, such as bullet points or mind maps. Ensure your notes are clear and organized for easy future reference.
- Record References: While writing notes include the corresponding page numbers from the source material. This allows you to quickly locate specific information when revising your notes.
- Recite Out Loud or Silently: Summarizing the content you’ve read, either verbally or mentally, is another effective way to consolidate your learning. Organize your thoughts as if you were delivering a lecture or presentation about the topic. By structuring the material as a presentation, you engage with it more deeply and make it more understandable for yourself and your imaginary audience.
T: Test
Step 5: Test Yourself (Gauge Your Mastery)
This final step is crucial for identifying areas that require further attention and confirming your overall understanding.
- Question Review: Answer the questions you compiled earlier, using your acquired knowledge to the best of your ability. Refrain from consulting your notes until you finish testing yourself. Identify the questions you answered incorrectly or could not answer, and devote extra attention to the related content.
Review-yourself-Mihiraa-scaled.jpg
Review yourself – Mihiraa | Photo by Andy Barbour: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-a-white-knitted-sweater-taking-an-exam-6684046/ - Mnemonic Devices: For information that’s tricky to remember, create or use mnemonic devices like acronyms, images, rhymes, or songs. These memory aids provide a unique way to encode and retrieve information. For example, a popular mnemonic device for history is “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” used to remember the year of Christopher Columbus’s famous expedition.
- Review and Retest: Revisit the sections you struggled with during your self-testing. Review your notes and rewrite them as needed to strengthen your understanding. Continue testing yourself on the material until you feel confident in your knowledge.
- Teach Someone Else: Explaining concepts to others can solidify your understanding. By breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms, you’ll reinforce your own knowledge.
By consistently applying the PQRST method, you can enhance your learning efficiency, improve your retention of information, and achieve better results in your studies. We wish you all the very best!!!