Introduction
You raise your hand in class and ask the golden question: "Will the exam be multiple choice or essay?"
The professor smiles vaguely and says, "Just study everything."
Panic sets in. How are you supposed to study if you don't know the rules of the game? A multiple-choice test requires you to recognize facts, while an essay requires you to build arguments. Studying for one often feels completely different from studying for the other.
But here is the secret: You don't need to know the format to get an A.
When you strip away the Scantron sheets and the blue books, deep learning looks the same for every subject. If you prepare for the hardest possible version of the test, the easier versions become a breeze.
In this guide, we will walk you through a universal study strategy that works for any exam, no matter what curveballs your professor throws at you.
Why Do Professors Hide the Format?
It feels cruel, but there is usually a reason why teachers keep the format a mystery. They aren't trying to trick you; they are trying to stop you from taking shortcuts.
If you know a test is multiple choice, you might just memorize definitions. You look for keywords. You don't try to understand why things happen; you just learn to spot the right answer in a lineup.
If you know a test is essay-based, you might ignore the small details and only focus on the "big picture" themes.
By hiding the format, your professor is forcing you to learn the material on a deeper level. They want you to be able to define the terms and explain how they connect. The good news? This actually makes studying simpler because you stop trying to "game the system" and start actually learning the content.
The Core Strategy: Study for Recall, Not Recognition
The biggest mistake students make is studying for "recognition."
Recognition is when you see an answer and say, "Oh yeah, I know that." It’s what you use for multiple-choice tests. It is easy, but it is weak.
Recall is when you have to pull the information out of your brain from scratch, without any hints. This is what you use for essays or short-answer questions.
Here is the golden rule: If you study for Recall, you automatically master Recognition. But it doesn't work the other way around.
The "Heavy Weights" Analogy
Think of your brain like a muscle at the gym.
Recognition is like lifting a 5-pound weight. It’s easy, but it doesn’t build much muscle.
Recall is like lifting a 50-pound weight. It’s hard and sweaty, but it makes you strong.
If you train with the 50-pound weights (Recall), the 5-pound weights (Recognition) feel like nothing. If you prepare to write an essay on a topic, answering a multiple-choice question about it will be effortless.
So, when the format is unknown, always study as if it is an essay test.
Covering Your Bases: The "Thinking Hat" Method
When you don't know what is coming, you need to simulate every possibility. You need to look at your notes and ask, "How could they ask me about this?"
This is where you can use specific tools to act as your sparring partner. One of the most effective ways to do this is using the Thinking Hat prompt from our library.
This tool is designed to help you look at a problem from different angles. Instead of just reading your notes, you paste them into the AI and use the Thinking Hat to generate different perspectives.
How to use it for test prep:
Feed it your notes: Paste a difficult chapter or topic into the chat.
Ask for the "Critic" Hat: Ask the AI to look at the topic and find the flaws or counter-arguments. This prepares you for essay questions where you have to defend a position.
Ask for the "Teacher" Hat: Ask it to quiz you on the specific definitions. This prepares you for multiple choice.
By switching "hats," you force your brain to be flexible. You aren't just memorizing; you are manipulating the information. If you want to see how this works in practice, check out the Thinking Hat in our prompt library.
Simulating the Worst-Case Scenario
Since we are studying for Recall (the hard stuff), we need to simulate the "worst-case scenario" for every topic.
The worst-case scenario is almost always a "Compare and Contrast" essay question.
Why? Because to compare two things, you need to know:
The definition of Thing A.
The definition of Thing B.
How they are similar.
How they are different.
If you can write a paragraph comparing two concepts, you have mastered them.
Try this exercise: Go through your syllabus. Pick two random terms from the same unit. Can you explain how they relate to each other?
Biology Example: Don't just define "Mitosis" and "Meiosis." Ask yourself, "What is the difference between them, and why does it matter?"
History Example: Don't just memorize the dates of WWI and WWII. Ask, "How did the end of WWI cause WWII?"
If you can answer those big questions, the multiple-choice questions about dates and definitions will be easy.
Universal Study Tactics That Always Work
Regardless of the format, there are scientific study methods that work for every human brain. These are your safety nets.
1. The Feynman Technique
This is the ultimate lie detector.
Pick a concept.
Try to explain it out loud in simple language, as if you were teaching a 6th grader.
If you get stuck or use a fancy buzzword because you can't explain it simply, that is a gap in your knowledge.
If you can teach it, you know it. This works for hard topics in physics just as well as it works for literature.
2. Active Recall
Stop re-reading your textbook. Re-reading is passive; it feels like studying, but nothing is sticking. Instead, look at the topic header, close your eyes, and try to list everything you know about it. Then check your book. What did you miss?
For more on how to build this habit, read our guide on how top students study.
3. Spaced Repetition
Don't cram. Your brain needs sleep to file information away. If you study for 30 minutes a day for five days, you will remember 10x more than if you study for 5 hours the night before. You can use AI tools to help schedule this. We have a full breakdown of this in our post on using AI to prepare for tests.
Managing the Uncertainty Anxiety
The worst part of not knowing the format isn't the studying; it's the anxiety. The "unknown" triggers our fight-or-flight response.
You might feel paralyzed, staring at your notes and thinking, "What if I'm studying the wrong thing?"
The "What If" Visualization: To calm down, play the movie to the end.
Scenario A: It’s all multiple choice. Result: You studied for essays, so you know the details inside out. You ace it.
Scenario B: It’s all essays. Result: You studied for essays. You are prepared. You ace it.
Scenario C: It’s a mix. Result: You are ready for both.
By preparing for the hardest level (Recall), you have eliminated the risk. There is no version of the test that can surprise you because you have already done the heavy lifting.
If the anxiety is still keeping you up at night, check out our tips on how to stay calm during exams.
Conclusion
When a professor hides the test format, take it as a challenge, not a trap. They are pushing you to learn the material for real, not just for the test.
Key Takeaways:
Assume the worst: Always study as if it is an essay exam.
Train for Recall: If you can explain it from scratch (Recall), you can definitely identify it in a list (Recognition).
Use the Thinking Hat: Use the Thinking Hat prompt to view your notes from different angles.
Connect the dots: Focus on how concepts relate to each other, not just what they are.
You don't need a crystal ball to predict what is on the test. If you build a deep understanding of the material, the format doesn't matter. You'll be ready for anything.
