Cornell notes: how to take notes you can revise from
Set up Cornell notes with cue, notes and summary sections, and turn them into a self-test for revision.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolAPCurriculum fit: Study skills for all GCSE, A-Level, US middle school, high school and AP courses. Not tied to a specific syllabus.
On this page
What is it?
The Cornell method is a note-taking system developed at Cornell University. You divide the page into three areas: a narrow cue column on the left, a wider notes column on the right, and a summary section at the bottom.
Its main advantage is that the cue column turns your notes into a ready-made self-test, which makes it easy to practise retrieving information instead of just rereading.
Key formulas and ideas
- Notes column (right): record key facts, ideas and examples during the lesson or while reading.
- Cue column (left): after the lesson, write keywords or questions that prompt the notes.
- Summary (bottom): write a short summary of the page in your own words.
- Review: cover the notes column, use the cues to recall the content, then check.
Worked examples
Example 1: Setting up a page
Question: How do you set up a Cornell page?
- Draw a vertical line about one third from the left edge.
- Draw a horizontal line near the bottom of the page.
- Label the areas: cues (left), notes (right), summary (bottom).
Answer: Three areas: cues, notes and summary
Example 2: Writing cues
Question: Your notes say: 'Photosynthesis happens in chloroplasts and makes glucose and oxygen.' Write a cue.
- Turn the main idea into a question.
- Keep it short enough to fit in the cue column.
Answer: Where does photosynthesis happen, and what does it make?
Example 3: Self-testing
Question: How do you revise with Cornell notes?
- Cover the notes column with a sheet of paper.
- Read each cue and say the answer aloud or write it down.
- Uncover the notes and check, marking anything you missed.
Answer: Cover the notes and answer the cues from memory
Common mistakes
- Copying everything the teacher says instead of selecting key points.
- Never writing the cues or summary.
- Writing cues that are too vague, such as 'Chapter 3'.
- Leaving the notes unread until the week before the exam.
Practice questions
Frequently asked questions
Does it work on a laptop?
Yes. You can use a table with three areas, or a notes app with headings. The key is to add cues and a summary.
How long should the summary be?
A few sentences in your own words, covering the main ideas of the page.
Related guides
Active recall: the best way to revise (with examples)
Learn why testing yourself beats rereading, and four simple ways to use active recall: flashcards, blank-page recall and practice questions.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle School+3Mind maps for revision: how to make them work
Use mind maps to organise a topic, then turn them into a memory test so they actually help you remember.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle School+2SQ3R: how to read a textbook and remember it
Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review: a five-step routine for learning from textbooks and long texts.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAP+1Sources and review
- IES practice guide: Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning (2007)
- Dunlosky et al. (2013), Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques, Psychological Science in the Public Interest
Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.