The 80/20 Rule: How to Study More in Less Time

Apr 06, 2023

One of the most common complaints of medical students is the overwhelming amount of information they have to learn in a short amount of time.

But, it is important to know that only about 20% of that information (sort of) will likely be tested in most (80%) of your exams or will be clinically relevant to you in the wards.

⚙️ What is the 80/20 rule?

The 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, states that in almost every system, 20% of the inputs drive 80% of the outputs.

This concept has historically been applied to business management situations but can also be applied to other aspects of life, like studying.

🤔 How to apply the 80/20 rule to studying

When preparing for exams, it's important to ask yourself, "What are the 20% of concepts, topics, and facts that are asked 80% of the time in exams?"

Identifying this 20%, or what others call high-yield topics, will greatly improve your study efficiency.

Because some medical students think they need to remember every single piece of information in the textbooks.

And that they need to spend equal amounts of time reading and memorizing topics and concepts in the handouts.

This can be overwhelming and ultimately counterproductive.

But, by prioritizing and mastering the high-yield topics first (the 20%), you'll already have a solid grasp on 80% of the topics most likely to appear on the exam, increasing your chances of getting a good grade while freeing up time for rest and other life activities.

One way of finding out what topics are high-yield is by reviewing past exams.

This can help you identify frequently asked topics or questions and gives you a better idea of what to expect on the upcoming exam which will allow you to focus on the most important study material and on the areas where you are weakest, so you can address them before the exam.

This strategic approach will not only save you time and effort but also help you retain information more effectively, which will lead to better academic performance.

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