
Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning
Don’t work harder, work smarter: how to study effectively and get the grades of your dreams with winning review strategies, killer memory techniques and exam preparation tips you won’t hear anywhere else. Join Cambridge educated psychologist, study techniques researcher, coach and tutor William Wadsworth as we dive into the secrets of academic success.Looking for the grades of your dreams? Want to know the real secrets to preparing for and taking exams? Through a powerful combination of rich personal experience and the very latest learning and memory science, William and his expert guests are here to help. Here's to results day smiles!
Latest episodes

May 11, 2025 • 32min
189. Maximise Knowledge Retention With Expert Flashcard Training [FMC 4b]
Top tips and tricks to get the most out of your flashcard training (testing) time, to accelerate your learning and maximise your knowledge retention.Resources mentioned today:>> Work with me 1-on-1: https://examstudyexpert.com/coaching>> VIP supporters' club Patreon: https://examstudyexpert.com/VIP>> What to do the day before an exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwrkFFkCACg*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams***As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

May 4, 2025 • 18min
188. Balancing Making and Testing Your Flashcards [FMC Part 4a]
Part 4a the Flashcard Mastery Course. Today: the common trap of making a large set of flashcards without testing them, why we commonly get into this situation, and what to do about it.*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. Work with me: https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Apr 27, 2025 • 22min
187. Magic Tricks To Make Memorable Flashcards [FMC 3/4]
Part 3 of 4 of the Flashcard Mastery Course. Today: Part 3: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard MAKING - how to get more efficient in your flashcard making process, clever tricks for specific learning challenges.Bonus material and more on the Exam Study Expert Patreon:>> https://examstudyexpert.com/VIP/Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Apr 20, 2025 • 27min
186. Flashcard Fundamentals For Faster Learning [FMC Part 2/4]
Part 2 of 4 of the Flashcard Mastery Course. Today: Flashcard Fundamentals - why use them, and the basics of good techniqueCOMING UP:- Part 3: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard MAKING - how to get more efficient in your flashcard making process, clever tricks for specific learning challenges- Part 4: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard TRAINING - getting more from the all-important testing phase, how to space out your testing, dealing with stubborn cards that are hard to learn, and moreENTIRE COURSE AVAILABLE NOW - all four parts - as early access for supporters of the Exam Study Expert podcast on Patreon, join us today at https://examstudyexpert.com/patreon*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. Work with me: https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Apr 13, 2025 • 27min
185. The Science of Learning: Flashcard Mastery Course [Part 1 of 4]
Welcome to the first in a special four-part audio course on how to learn ultra-effectively by mastering the flashcards, not the only effective study strategy, but my personal favourite and a huge listener favourite among our listeners too. Today: discover the science that underpins the power of the flashcard.Coming up:- Part 2: Flashcard Fundamentals - why use them, and the basics of good technique- Part 3: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard MAKING - how to get more efficient in your flashcard making process, clever tricks for specific learning challenges- Part 4: Advanced Tips & Hacks for Flashcard TRAINING - getting more from the all-important testing phase, how to space out your testing, dealing with stubborn cards that are hard to learn, and moreENTIRE COURSE AVAILABLE NOW - all four parts - as early access for supporters of the Exam Study Expert podcast on Patreon, join us today at https://examstudyexpert.com/patreon*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress. Work with me: https://examstudyexpert.com/coachingQuestions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Apr 6, 2025 • 21min
184. Why Study Smarter?
I'm in philosophical mood today, exploring the big reasons for the Exam Study Expert mission, and exactly what we hope to help you with!Whether you're brand new to the show or a regular listener, I hope you find fresh inspiration and maybe a a few questions clarified in today's audio essay.**Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Feb 17, 2025 • 5min
Mini Status Update - What's Happening On The Podcast?
For regular listeners, a brief update after a couple of unannounced weeks off-air, what happened, and when we'll be back in action (spoiler alert: v. soon!!).Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

Feb 2, 2025 • 30min
183. High Stakes Exam Success - with Dr Morgan Taylor
This week on the show:Top tips for learning for high stakes examsMaintaining your sense of self-worth and protecting your mental health4 top tips for keeping test-taking nerves at bayAdvice for prospective / current nursing studentsOur guest today is Dr Morgan Taylor, an experienced advisor to nursing students. Today's conversation is mainly quite general and non-nursing specific, and relevant to anyone preparing for any high-stakes exam, though we do also dive into Morgan's specific passion and expertise for studying nursing towards the end of the interview.Dr Morgan Taylor is the founder and Chief Nursing Officer at Archer Review, a leading study platform for NCLEX, FNP, TEAS 7, USMLE and nursing school exams.https://www.archerreview.com/Follow Morgan and her company on social @ArcherReviewAlso mentioned in today's episode:Ep 42 with Prof. Timothy Wilson https://examstudyexpert.com/redirect-timothy-wilson/Student stories episodes 69/77 (Rose, high school student) and 73 (Michael, college student)*Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.BOOK 1:1 COACHING to supercharge your exam success: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/Get a copy of Outsmart Your Exams, my award-winning exam technique book, at https://geni.us/exams**** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.Podcast Edited by Kerri Edinburgh.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).

9 snips
Jan 26, 2025 • 40min
182. The Neurodiverse Brain At School - with Christopher Wyatt
Christopher Wyatt, a diagnosed Autistic with ADHD and an advocate for neurodiversity, shares valuable insights on educating neurodiverse students. He emphasizes the need for inclusive course designs and sensory-friendly spaces. Strategies for familiarizing students with testing environments are discussed to alleviate anxiety. Wyatt addresses challenges in group work and highlights self-advocacy as crucial for success. High-stakes exam pressures are tackled with tailored preparation tips, ultimately encouraging recognition of personal strengths for academic achievement.

Jan 20, 2025 • 52min
181. REWIND: Maximum Concentration: "Attention Professor" Stefan Van der Stigchel
How to concentrate on your studies?I’m going to be talking to one of the world’s leading authorities on how to manage your attention, and focus on what really matters to you, Professor Stefan van der Stigchel.We’ll be walking through an entire day of concentration to show you step-by-step what you can do to help maximise your focus, including:“Attention rituals” – learning from Darwin and BeethovenHow to take effective breaksDesigning your environment for maximum concentrationIs it OK to listen to music?Stefan leads the AttentionLab at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and is a regular face on national television and radio in the Netherlands, as well as speaking on prestigious conference stages around the world.Originally broadcast as Episode 60.You can find out more about Stefan’s work at his personal website: https://www.stefanvanderstigchel.nl/ For a highly practical guide to maximising concentration, I highly recommend his book “Concentration: Staying Focused in Times Of Distraction”, available at https://geni.us/concentration*“How Attention Works”, a guide to the psychology of attention, is available at https://geni.us/attention** * *Hosted by William Wadsworth, memory psychologist, independent researcher and study skills coach. I help ambitious students to study smarter, not harder, so they can ace their exams with less work and less stress.Book 1:1 Coaching and let me help you find the shortcut to success in your exams this year: https://examstudyexpert.com/workwithme/[free] Download the Exam Success Cheat Sheet at https://examstudyexpert.com/freetips*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesPodcast Edited by Benoît André.Questions? Comments? Requests? Or just want to say "thanks" - send me a text message (I read them all!).
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