For those facing tough tests, the latest advice is not to study more, but to study smarter.

At least that's what Benedict Carey, science reporter for the New York Times, thinks you should be doing.

"Most of us study and hope we are doing it right," Carey says. "But we tend to have a static and narrow notion of how learning should happen."

In his new book, How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where and Why it Happens, Carey picks apart the idea that high grades equal quality learning.

While good marks can be achieved by cramming for an exam or a test, Carey says most of the information will be lost shortly after.

For example, we think long study sessions are good, but Carey says we use most of our brain power just trying to concentrate.

"It's hard to sit there and push yourself for hours," he says. "You're spending a lot of effort just staying there, when there are other ways to make the learning more efficient, fun and interesting."

Carey says spacing out your study is better than cramming, even if you study for the same amount of time all up.

"When you are cramming for a test, you are holding that information in your head for a limited amount of time," he says. "But you haven't signalled to the brain in a strong way that's it's really valuable."

He says one good trick to refresh your study and re-energise your brain is to change your study location.

"The brain wants variation. It wants to move, it wants to take periodic breaks."

Instead of spending all your time at your desk or in a library, try going to a cafe or sitting near a different window.

Carey says changing where you study means you're adding different contextual cues, which helps strengthen your memory when it is time to recall the information later on.

Performance psychologist Vicki de Prazer agrees good marks are not necessarily an indication of smart learning.

"Good exam grades don't guarantee good understanding, it demonstrates good memory," says de Prazer, who is the director of dePrazer Consulting.

However, de Prazer says the particular type of study Carey is talking about focuses on learning facts, lists and formulas, which depend on knowing specific detail.

She says if you're a university student or perhaps looking to expand your knowledge on a subject, you do need to put in the hard hours to gain a proper understanding of your material.

"Becoming a good lawyer or psychologist is not just about the facts, so you need to put in the slog to understand the information, have discussions with peers and be exposed to ideas that move you along the path to becoming an expert," says de Prazer.

Staring at books for hours isn't necessarily productive, says de Prazer, but she says to become better you do need to spend the time studying.

"Like anything you have to practise, you have to devote time, but you need to study smartly," says de Prazer.

If studying for an exam, she says to start by looking at what the exam is asking you to do.

If the exam requires you to write essays, practise writing them within the time frame given for the exam.

It's also important to practise writing by hand: de Prazer says if you're used to writing on a keyboard, using pen and paper will feel unfamiliar, and you will need to get used to it.

She also says having structure to your study is good. Write out a plan and include breaks, exercise and limited social time to reward yourself for your work.

While she's not averse to the idea of cramming, de Prazer says starting study early is the best method for your learning and your nerves.

"If you put in the groundwork, you can build confidence," she says.

Brisbane Times