As many students study for looming tests before winter break, preparation at Liberty varies across grades and classes.
A popular way students prepare for tests is by creating a “cheat sheet,” where they record information that will help them on the test. Permitted cheat sheet sizes can range from a regular notecard to a one-sided piece of printer paper.
Last year, Liberty’s Biology Department allowed students a half sheet of paper front and back to use on large end-of-the-unit tests.
Camille Chalkley (she/her), science teacher at Liberty, shares that since most of the biology tests are application-based, cheat sheets were a useful aid to students who needed to memorize that information.
However, fostering too much of a dependence on cheat sheets was a disadvantage for students.
“[Students] would go into the test not actually having the information, but just relying on their cheat sheet getting them through,” Chalkley said.
This school year, however, biology teachers made the switch and prohibited the use of cheat sheets altogether.
With this new change, test scores improved compared to last year’s. According to Chalkley, the 2024-2025 Unit 1 average score was 82.5. This year it spiked to 92.7.
Liberty students have mixed feelings about cheat sheets, as they have both benefits and drawbacks that frequently affect test preparation and confidence.
Livia Van Schepen (she/her), 10, took Biology last year, when cheat sheets were allowed.
“The cheat sheet is a very, very good study tool. It helps you recap of the unit or just everything you learned,” Van Schepen said.
Cheat sheets often vary depending on the student. Van Schepen usually only put pointers on her sheet, but if it was for a unit she hadn’t studied for, all of her notes would be crammed onto a page.
“Not everything should be on a cheat sheet; you should have to memorize some things,” Van Schepen said.
Clare Gordon (she/her), 10, is currently taking Biology. She notes that not having a cheat sheet helps with taking in information better. However, come test time, cheat sheets can help reduce student anxieties about the test and make them feel more prepared.
“Cheat sheets help take that stress away from having to memorize it all and overwhelm yourself with all that information,” Gordon said.
Along with boosting student confidence, making a cheat sheet can be a helpful study tool if used correctly. According to Frontiers in Psychology, handwriting notes helps stimulate the brain better, encouraging genuine learning.
“Cheat sheets can help you study when you’re actually taking the time and writing down all the information,” Gordon said.
As the debate of allowing cheat sheets continues, Liberty students can recognize both the positives and negatives to help them decide their best way to learn.
Even if a cheat sheet is not allowed during a test, it is still a beneficial study method that helps students gather content and organize it in ways best for them in order to feel prepared and confident for their upcoming tests.
