In the competitive landscape of Singapore’s education system, “burning the midnight oil” is often seen as a badge of honor. However, at TUITION SOLUTION (founded in 2014), we’ve observed a consistent trend: the top-scoring students aren’t necessarily the ones spending the most hours at their desks. They are the ones who study smart.
With the 2026 shifts toward more analytical and application-based questions in the PSLE and GCE O-Levels, rote memorization is no longer enough. Here is how you can transform your learning efficiency.
Many students spend hours re-reading notes and highlighting textbooks. Science calls this “passive learning,” and it is largely ineffective for long-term retention.
The Hack: Instead of reading, test yourself. After finishing a chapter, close the book and write down everything you remember. This is called “Blurting.”
Why it works: Active recall forces your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens neural pathways. It’s the difference between looking at a map and actually driving the route.
Ever notice how you remember everything the night before a test, but forget it all two days later? This is the Forgetting Curve. To lock information into your long-term memory, you must review it just as you are about to forget it.
The Hack: Use the 2-3-5-7 Method. Review your new topic at these intervals:
2 days after the first lesson.
3 days after that.
5 days after that.
7 days after that.
Pro-Tip: Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to automate these reminders!
If you can’t explain a concept to a 10-year-old, you don’t truly understand it. This is the core of the Feynman Technique, named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist.
The Hack: Choose a topic (e.g., Photosynthesis or Algebraic Expansion). Imagine you are teaching it to a younger sibling. Speak it out loud or write it down in simple, non-technical language.
The Result: You will instantly spot “holes” in your logic where you rely on jargon instead of actual understanding.
Most students practice “block studying”—focusing on one subject for 4 hours. However, research suggests that Interleaving (mixing different subjects or topics) leads to better results.
The Hack: Instead of a “Math Day,” try a “Logic Morning.” Spend 45 minutes on Math, take a break, then spend 45 minutes on English Comprehension.
Why it works: It trains your brain to switch between different problem-solving strategies, which is exactly what happens during an actual exam.
In 2026, digital distractions are at an all-time high. The Pomodoro Technique helps you maintain “Deep Work” without burning out.
The Hack: 1. Work for 25 minutes (strictly no phone!). 2. Take a 5-minute break (stretch, drink water). 3. Repeat 4 times, then take a longer 30-minute break.
Why it works: It keeps your brain fresh and provides frequent “rewards,” making long study sessions feel manageable.
Since 2014, we have helped thousands of students in Singapore move away from “stressful cramming” toward “strategic learning.” Our 1-to-1 tutors don’t just teach the MOE syllabus; they act as academic coaches who implement these exact study smart techniques.
Ready to see a difference in your child’s grades—and their stress levels?