Remembering formulas is a fact of life to every student of the sciences–but you should remember how, as well as how much. In case you want formulae to be remembered consistently when you are in an exam (not only when you are cramming in the last minute), employ cognitive science-based techniques that are combined with effective study shortcuts. I present to you a full exam practical plan that includes examples, ready-to-use mnemonics, a review schedule and some tips on the eve of the exam. We can make formulas out of frightening lines to make acquaintances with you.

Main Headlins

How come certain formulas remain and others disappear?

Prior to techniques, a bit of science: retrieval and spacing are the two factors to construct long-term memory, rather than passive re-reading. Trying again and again to remember something (retrieval practice) and spacing the retrieval not only saves the overall remembrance in the long-term memory remarkably better than massed cramming. This is supported by several meta-analyses and experiments: spaced practice in retrieval is effective in increasing final retention in STEM learning, and testing (retrieval) effect is effective in most domains.

Translation for students: practice remembering formulas, a little and often, rather than reading them three times the night before.

The 8-step system I recommend (workable daily routine)

Use this as your blueprint. It’s practical and keeps study time efficient.

Understand the formula first — not optional.
If you can derive or re-derive a formula from principles, you reduce the memory burden. For example, if you understand how $v = u + a t$ comes from acceleration definition, you can reconstruct it under pressure. Understanding creates meaningful hooks for memory; memorize only the parts you can’t easily derive.
Turn the formula into a short verbal cue or sentence (mnemonic)
Create a short phrase or acronym that cues the structure. For instance, for optics $1f=1v+1u\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} + \frac{1}{u}$ , you might say “F=V+U in reciprocals” or make a silly sentence using letters F, V, U. Silly, vivid associations stick. Mnemonics are a low-effort, high-return tool.
Create a visual image or story
Convert the formula into a vivid mental picture — a scene or object that encodes the variables and their relationships. Memory palaces (placing images in imagined rooms) work well for ordered lists of formulas. Many students find spatial/visual encoding especially powerful for mathematical relationships.
Make a flashcard — front: problem / cue, back: formula + one-line derivation
Don’t just put the formula on the back — add one line about why it’s that way (a short derivation or the units check). That helps rebuild the formula if you forget details.
Practice with active recall
Instead of re-reading notes, test yourself: look at the problem (or the formula name) and try to write the formula from memory. This “testing effect” improves retention more than restudying. Put difficulty into practice — it builds stronger memory.
Use spaced repetition
Schedule the first review after 1 day, then 3 days, then 7 days, then 14 days, etc. Apps like Anki implement this automatically; otherwise use a paper schedule. Spacing is one of the strongest, evidence-backed ways to convert short-term recall into long-term memory.
Apply the formula in multiple problems
Solve 5–10 different problems that use the same formula — including edge cases. This builds flexible retrieval and shows common pitfalls (units, sign conventions, approximations).
Group related formulas into clusters
Example: all kinematics formulas in one cluster, all optics formulas in another. When you remember one, it will cue the others in the same cluster. Use a one-page “formula map” for each cluster.

Practical examples & ready-made mnemonics

Example 1 — Kinematics (physics)

Formula: $\tfrac{1}{2}at^2$
Mnemonic (verbal): “Start (s) = u for time + half a times time-squared” — say it aloud while writing.
Visual: Picture a runner (u) starting a race and an accelerating rocket (a) giving a curve; the half is like half the rocket’s fuel.

Example 2 — Ohm’s law (simple but often miswritten)

Formula: $\times R$
Mnemonic: “Very Important Resistance” — the first letters V, I, R. Or use the triangle V over I and R (classic diagram) — drawing the triangle helps kinesthetic memory.

Example 3 — Chemistry (molarity)

Formula: $\dfrac{\text{moles solute}}{\text{liters solution}}$
Mnemonic: “Moles per Liter” → M = moles/L. Visual: imagine pouring moles into a liter bottle and divide visually.

Tools you can (and should) use

Anki or any spaced-repetition flashcard app — great for large formula sets; these apps schedule reviews optimally.
Paper flashcards — for tactile learners. Put quick derivation on the back.
A “one-sheet” formula map — A4 sheet per topic with grouped formulas and tiny derivations. Look at it briefly every morning.
Practice sheets — 15–30 minute mixed-problem sets focusing on formulas you’ve recently learned.

Evidence note: multiple studies in educational psychology show spaced repetition and retrieval practice give better long-term retention than simple re-reading or massed study. Using technology (apps) makes spacing easy to implement.

Common student obstacles & fixes

Obstacle: “I forget formulas after a few days.”
Fix: You’re probably restudying rather than retrieving. Move to active recall + spacing. Do 5 minutes of flashcards every morning for a week after you learn new formulas.

Obstacle: “I memorize but can’t apply in problems.”
Fix: Application practice. Memorize in context — always practice with problems that force you to choose the correct formula.

Obstacle: “Too many formulas — overwhelming.”
Fix: Cluster similar formulas, and learn derivation relationships. If several formulas share a derivation or starting equation, learn that root derivation and reconstruct the family.

Week-by-week plan for a new topic (4 weeks)

Use this for any new chapter (e.g., rotational motion, electrostatics).

Week 1 — Learn & Understand
- Read chapter, work through derivations.
- Make 10–15 flashcards (formula + one-line derivation).
- Daily 10–15 minutes active recall.
Week 2 — Reinforce & Apply
- Use spaced schedule: review Day 1, Day 3, Day 6.
- Solve 20 problems across difficulty levels using those formulas.
Week 3 — Expand & Interleave
- Mix problems from related chapters (interleaving improves discrimination).
- Use flashcards; add “trick” problems that test edge cases.
Week 4 — Consolidate & Simulate
- Mock test (timed) using only memory (no notes).
- Fix weak spots; revisit flashcards with low recall.
- Final spaced review: 1 week later and 2 weeks later.

This staged approach reflects cognitive research that spaced, varied practice produces stronger learning than massed practice.

Also Read: Last-Minute Revision Tips for Board Exams | Score High Fast

Quick hacks for last-minute revision (day before exam)

If you must cram (we all do sometimes), make the last-minute study useful:

1-page formula sheet: only the formulas you absolutely must remember, grouped and annotated with one-line hints.
Active recall sprint: 25–30 minute recall session — write down every formula you can from memory. Then check and correct. Repeat once.
Mnemonic refresh: Read your mnemonics and visual images aloud.
Sleep: Even a few hours of sleep after studying improves retention; try to get rest. (Sleeping after learning benefits consolidation.)

How to check if your memorization is durable

Ask yourself these during weekly recalls:

Can I write the formula without looking and also explain the meaning of each symbol?
Can I sketch one short derivation or units check?
Can I solve a problem using the formula correctly in under 5 minutes?
If you fail any, treat it as unfinished learning and rotate the card back into your spaced schedule.

Tools and resources (apps & methods)

Anki — spaced repetition flashcards (automates intervals).
Simple flashcard apps or paper cards — good for quick review.
Memory palace / loci method — place formulas in a mental building (great for ordered lists).
Problem banks — apply formulas repeatedly (textbooks, past papers).

Research-backed takeaway: combining retrieval practice (testing) with spacing yields the best results for STEM formula retention. If you pair that with understanding (derivation) and meaningful mnemonics/visuals, you get reliable, exam-ready memory.

Short FAQ (for Google snippets)

Q: Is it better to understand formulas or memorize them?
A: Understand first — derivation reduces memory load — then memorize tricky parts using active recall and spaced repetition.

Q: How often should I review formulas?
A: Use spaced intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, then monthly as needed. Apps like Anki handle this automatically.

Q: Do mnemonics really work?
A: Yes — especially when combined with visualization and practice problems. Mnemonics form memorable cues that speed retrieval.

Final note

Memorizing science formulas doesn’t need to be boring or robotic. Make it meaningful: understand the why, practice the recall, and space your reviews. Use visuals and stories when words fail — and apply the formulas in problems as soon as possible. If you follow the 8-step system above, you’ll not only remember formulas for the exam but also be able to use them properly — which is the real goal.

A promise from Mr. HkGedar

Best Way to memorize science formulas effectively