cram for an exam

Meaning

To cram for an exam means to study intensively and hurriedly right before a test, often staying up all night. It implies trying to force a large amount of information into your memory in a very short period. It is generally considered an ineffective but highly common study habit.

Examples

• I had to cram for my chemistry exam last night because I forgot about it.

  I had to cram for my chemistry exam last night because I forgot about it.

• Trying to cram for an exam the night before rarely leads to long-term learning.

  Trying to cram for an exam the night before rarely leads to long-term learning.

• Instead of studying every week, he always prefers to cram for his exams at the last minute.

  Instead of studying every week, he always prefers to cram for his exams at the last minute.

• I'm going to stay at the library all night to cram for my history exam.

  I'm going to stay at the library all night to cram for my history exam.

• She is exhausted because she spent the whole weekend cramming for her finals.

  She is exhausted because she spent the whole weekend cramming for her finals.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to cram my exam tonight.

  ✓ I need to cram for my exam tonight.

  You must use the preposition 'for' after the verb 'cram' when referring to the test itself. You cram 'for' an exam, or you cram 'facts into your head'.

• ✗ He is making cram for his test.

  ✓ He is cramming for his test.

  'Cram' is a verb on its own. You do not need to pair it with auxiliary verbs like 'make' or 'do'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I didn't study all week, so now I have to ___ tonight.

  💡 Study intensively right before a test.

  Show answer

  cram for an exam

• It's much better to review daily than to ___ the night before.

  💡 Try to memorize everything at the last minute.

  Show answer

  cram for an exam