Why Custom Quizzes by Subject/Difficulty Are a Smart Way to Study for Boards
A customizable question bank is the perfect solution for optimizing your study time and strengthening your knowledge in weak content areas. When you can create custom quizzes by subject, you’ll improve your study sessions and exam performance.
In this blog, we’ll help you learn how to study by subject and avoid wasting time on areas you’ve already mastered, leading to faster learning gains and better retention! The best part? It’s backed by research. Improve your active recall with targeted practice from TrueLearn, a convenient learning tool with customizable question banks.
What are custom quizzes by subject?
Custom tests – as referred to on TrueLearn – are created using a set of filters within a question bank. Students have the option to filter by category, difficulty level, question state (ie, new, incorrect, or correct), question type (when applicable), and/or the inclusion of media with TrueLearn SmartBanks.
TrueLearn’s custom tests are different from your average practice test or exam. By creating a custom test, you can test and improve your knowledge in specific areas, helping you focus your study time where you need it most.
Custom tests can be shorter than pre-built practice tests and full-length exams. However, they are also more focused and precise, making them perfect for targeted exam prep.
Why Custom Quizzes by Subject Improve Your Score
Targeted Weakness Remediation
Custom practice quizzes help you strengthen your knowledge in content areas you struggle with. Tailor your custom test to your needs by selecting the subjects you find most challenging. Then, review them consistently to enhance your understanding and improve your exam score.
Active Recall and Spaced Repetition
Customizable question banks are an active recall study method. Active recall occurs when you test yourself and retrieve information from memory, thereby promoting long-term retention.
By taking these quizzes regularly at spaced intervals (also known as spaced repetition), your memory improves, helping you recall information for the exam and beyond.
Reduced Cognitive Fatigue From Irrelevant Content
Let’s be honest. Studying for long hours leads to fatigue, diminishes focus, and harms your performance. By creating custom tests, you can reduce your study time and engage more deeply with the material, making your study sessions more targeted and efficient.
How to Build an Effective Custom Quiz
- Choose one or two categories per session.
Overcrowding your custom quiz with too many subjects diminishes its effectiveness. Select one or two for optimal learning.
- Mix new, incorrect, and correct questions.
A healthy mix of questions ensures you’re actively engaging with each quiz, rather than relying on rote memorization.
- Set a realistic question count for focused review.
Your custom test should be finished within a single session. Having too many questions can lead to cognitive fatigue and negatively impact your results.
- Use timed mode as exam day approaches.
Challenge yourself to answer questions in a short time frame to prepare for exam day. Limiting your time per question ensures you can answer quickly and accurately, which is key to avoiding running out of time on the real exam.
- Always review rationales.
That’s where the learning happens! If you don’t review the rationales, you won’t improve. Learn the why behind each question and its answer before retaking the custom test.
Custom Quiz Examples Across Board Exams
Whether you’re a nursing, medical, pharmacy, or allied health student wondering how to study by category, we’re here to help! Here are just a few subject pairings you can select in your TrueLearn SmartBank for your upcoming board exam.
- Nursing (NCLEX): Pharmacology and Maternal Newborn
- Pharmacy (NAPLEX): Biostatistics and Calculations
- Medical (USMLE): Cardiovascular and Pharmacology
- Allied health and certification exams: Review your exam’s blueprint and select two subjects under the same content domain!
How TrueLearn’s Custom Test Builder Supports Smarter Studying
Available across our nursing, pharmacy, medical, and allied health exams, custom tests in TrueLearn help you study by subject and more. Here’s how:
- First, navigate to our test builder! You can filter by category, select your difficulty level (0–10), question states (new, incorrect, and/or correct questions), question type (when applicable), and media.
- Next, target your weaknesses. Your category performance displays your top and bottom subject areas inside the test builder.
- Then, select from three different study modes—timed, untimed, and tutor—with adjustable time multipliers.
- Lastly, take your custom test. After you complete it, review your score and all rationales to understand your incorrect and correct answers.
Common Mistakes That Limit Custom Quiz Effectiveness
Custom practice quizzes are essential for targeted exam preparation, but their effectiveness depends on how you use them. To develop a robust and effective quiz, steer clear of the common mistakes listed below.
- Selecting easier questions to protect your percentage: A high score on a practice quiz feels rewarding, but it’s not worth failing your real exam. Challenge yourself with difficult questions to truly learn. You’ve got this.
- Skipping question rationales: Even if you answer correctly, review the rationale to understand why. It might surprise you—and could improve your understanding of the subject.
- Building quizzes too broadly: Keep your quizzes precise and focused to make a real difference. Be sure to follow our tips above to build the best test.
Now, you’re ready to build your own custom test with TrueLearn! Try out some sample questions to get started.
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