Public exams demand more than memorization — they require deep understanding. Candidates face content ranging from legal theory to math, logic, grammar, and even current affairs. And while many try to absorb everything by reading and rereading materials, this passive approach often leads to superficial learning that doesn’t hold up under exam pressure. To overcome this, a powerful cognitive tool can make all the difference: the Feynman Technique.
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this method is based on one simple but profound principle: if you can’t explain something in simple terms, you don’t truly understand it. Feynman believed that clarity of thought comes through the act of teaching — and that anyone can master complex ideas if they break them down enough. Applied correctly, the technique helps you identify knowledge gaps, solidify what you’ve studied, and retain information longer.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to use the Feynman Technique in your exam preparation. We’ll cover the steps to apply it effectively, why it works from a neuroscience perspective, and how to integrate it into your study routine — even if you’re studying alone. Whether you’re struggling with law principles, calculations, or theoretical content, this method can unlock a whole new level of understanding.
Step 1: Choose a Concept and Try to Explain It From Memory
The first step in using the Feynman Technique is selecting a concept you’ve recently studied. It can be a constitutional principle, a math formula, a grammar rule, or any topic that tends to confuse you. Once you’ve chosen the subject, grab a blank sheet of paper or open a new page in your notebook. Write the name of the topic at the top and, without consulting any material, try to explain it in your own words.
Don’t aim for a perfect explanation — aim for clarity. Write as if you were teaching the subject to someone who has no background in the area. Use plain language and avoid technical jargon unless you’re ready to define it. If you get stuck, that’s a good sign — it means you’ve hit a gap in your understanding. Mark that spot and continue with what you know.
This step reveals how much of the topic you’ve actually internalized. Many candidates believe they understand a concept because they can follow along with the teacher or textbook. But true mastery is shown when you can teach it, simplify it, and make it relatable — even to someone completely unfamiliar with the subject.
Step 2: Identify Knowledge Gaps and Return to the Source
After your first explanation attempt, review what you wrote and identify weak points. These are areas where your explanation was vague, confusing, or incomplete. Go back to your materials — textbooks, classes, or notes — and revisit the parts where your understanding fell short. Focus on these sections with the specific goal of clarifying those weaknesses.
This is different from general rereading. Instead of trying to absorb everything again, you’re approaching the content with a purpose: to fill in the exact knowledge gaps you uncovered. This targeted review is far more efficient because your brain is actively looking for connections and corrections, which improves memory retention.
Once you’ve reviewed the unclear sections, go back to your explanation and revise it. Rewrite or speak it out loud again, this time aiming for more precision and simplicity. Every cycle you do — explain, review, re-explain — strengthens your grasp on the material and moves it from short-term memory into long-term retention.
Step 3: Simplify and Use Analogies to Solidify Understanding
One of the most powerful aspects of the Feynman Technique is the emphasis on simplicity. If you can take a complex legal rule or abstract concept and make it understandable to a child — or to yourself after a long day — you’ve reached true comprehension. This doesn’t mean dumbing it down. It means making the idea accessible without losing accuracy.
A useful trick is to create analogies. For example, if you’re studying administrative law and come across the concept of “discretionary power,” you could compare it to choosing what to cook with what’s available in the fridge — there’s freedom to choose, but within defined limits. Analogies help anchor abstract concepts in real-life contexts, making them easier to remember and apply during the exam.
The goal is not just to recall the concept, but to be able to manipulate it: apply it to a case, eliminate incorrect options in a multiple-choice question, or write a coherent essay about it. Simplicity in explanation leads to flexibility in use — which is exactly what public exams require from candidates under pressure.
Why the Feynman Technique Works So Well
From a neuroscience perspective, the Feynman Technique works because it shifts your brain from passive recognition to active retrieval. Reading notes gives you the illusion of familiarity, but it doesn’t guarantee you can retrieve the information later. By forcing yourself to produce the information — by explaining it — you’re reinforcing neural pathways and strengthening memory.
The method also leverages the testing effect, a well-documented phenomenon in educational psychology. When you test your knowledge (even informally, like explaining out loud), your brain retains the material better than if you had just reviewed it silently. Every failed attempt followed by correction is a signal to your brain that the information matters — and it needs to be remembered.
Finally, it taps into metacognition — the ability to think about your own thinking. When you explain a topic and analyze your own understanding, you develop awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. This self-awareness helps you study more strategically, avoid repeating mistakes, and use your time where it matters most.
How to Use the Technique Even When Studying Alone
One of the biggest advantages of the Feynman Technique is that you don’t need a teacher or group to apply it. You can use it completely on your own — all you need is time, focus, and curiosity. Some candidates like to explain concepts to a mirror, while others record themselves with their phone and listen later to evaluate their clarity and coherence.
Writing is also highly effective. Keep a dedicated Feynman notebook where you write simplified explanations of complex topics as part of your weekly review. This notebook becomes a powerful revision tool before the exam — a personalized summary written in your own words. It’s much more useful than passive highlights or photocopied notes.
You can also simulate a teaching session. Pretend you’re giving a mini-lecture on a topic — set a timer, explain the idea, then check your accuracy against your source material. Over time, this habit builds not only content mastery but also confidence — a crucial trait when dealing with test-day pressure and uncertainty.
Integrating the Feynman Technique Into Your Study Plan
To make this technique part of your routine, schedule it like any other study task. For example, after studying a topic in the morning, dedicate 20–30 minutes in the afternoon to write or explain it using the Feynman approach. On weekends, review your Feynman notebook or practice explanations for topics you’ve struggled with during the week.
You don’t need to apply it to every subject — prioritize the ones you find most difficult or abstract. Subjects like constitutional law, math reasoning, or essay structure benefit greatly from this technique because they require deep understanding rather than surface memorization. Use it strategically to reinforce weak areas.
The key is consistency. Like physical exercise, the benefits accumulate over time. The more you practice explaining what you study, the sharper your reasoning becomes. Eventually, you’ll find that even the most complex topics feel manageable, and that’s when you know you’re ready for the exam — not just to recall, but to understand and apply under pressure.