Cornell
Notes, cue questions and a summary on one page.
The Cornell note-taking system divides your notes into three parts: main notes, cue questions and a short summary, which turn notes into a ready-made self-test.
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Use it in a full sessionHow it works
During study you write main notes in the large area. Afterwards you add short cue questions or keywords in the side column that point to each idea. At the bottom you write a few sentences summarising the whole page.
To review, cover the notes and answer the cue questions from memory. FocusKept gives you the same three-part layout during the session and keeps it with your session.
Step by step
- Take notes in the main area while you study.
- After studying, write cue questions next to each key idea.
- Summarise the whole topic in 2–3 sentences at the bottom.
- Review by covering the notes and answering the cues.
Best for
- Lectures, videos and seminars
- Courses where you review notes before exams
- Turning notes into practice questions
When not to use it
- Highly visual subjects where mind maps or diagrams work better
Questions
Who invented the Cornell method?
Walter Pauk, an education professor at Cornell University, described it in the 1950s.
Do I need special paper?
No. FocusKept provides the three areas on screen: notes, cue questions and summary.
How long should the summary be?
Two or three sentences. If you can’t summarise the page briefly, you probably need to revisit part of it.