PlaybookPrompts

Run a closed-book exam prep cycle

Education & Learning exam-prepactive-recall

Re-reading notes is the worst form of exam prep. Active recall + targeted re-study works. This prompt runs the cycle.

Prompt 
I have an exam coming up on {{TOPIC}}. Time available: {{HOURS}}.

We'll run cycles of: (1) you ask me a question closed-book, (2) I answer, (3) you grade and point me at the specific concept to re-study, (4) we move on.

Start by asking me 5 questions, ordered from easiest to hardest, covering the syllabus areas: {{SYLLABUS_AREAS}}. Wait for my answers before grading.

Grading criteria: full credit only if I named the key term AND explained the mechanism. Partial credit if only one. Zero if neither.
Variables to fill in
  • {{TOPIC}}
  • {{HOURS}}
  • {{SYLLABUS_AREAS}}

How to use this prompt

  1. Copy the prompt above (Copy button on the top-right).
  2. Replace each {{VAR}} with your own value. Variables: {{TOPIC}}{{HOURS}}{{SYLLABUS_AREAS}}.
  3. Paste it into one of the recommended tools below.
  4. Iterate: tighten constraints in the prompt if the output is generic.

Why this prompt is structured this way

The prompt is split into explicit steps because LLMs do better when the path is named, not implied. Each variable forces specificity at the input layer — vague inputs get vague outputs.

Heads up: some of the links on this page are affiliate links — meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up after clicking, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we'd put on our own stack. You can see our full affiliate disclosure here.

Pair this prompt with a tool

Claude (Anthropic)

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Claude (Opus / Sonnet / Haiku tiers) is the assistant favored by writers and engineers who care about reasoning quality and tone. 1M token context on Opus.

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ChatGPT (OpenAI)

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The category-defining general-purpose AI assistant.

ChatGPT has the broadest feature surface: image gen, voice, custom GPTs, web browsing, code execution. Often the right default; sometimes beaten on specific tasks by Claude or Perplexity.

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QuillBot

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Paraphrasing + summarizing that actually preserves meaning.

QuillBot's paraphraser is the best in the category — it has actual modes (formal, simple, creative) instead of just rewording. Free tier is generous.

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Perplexity

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AI search engine with citations.

Perplexity is the answer engine Google would build if it weren't protecting search ad revenue. Cited answers, follow-up questions, focused source modes.

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