The memory palace for studying: how to use it for exams
The memory palace was born as a tool for orators, who had to remember long speeches without notes. Today it's used above all by students (medicine, law, languages) who need to keep a lot of information in their heads, in order, until exam day.
But it isn't a magic wand for everything. This article explains what the method is good for when you study, where it helps less, and how to use it together with the techniques research says work best.
What the memory palace is good for (and what it isn't)
The method of loci excels with information that is discrete and ordered: elements you have to recall exactly, often in a precise sequence.
| Works very well | Works less well |
|---|---|
| Lists and classifications (the phases of mitosis, the cranial nerves) | Understanding an argument or a proof |
| Sequences and procedures (the steps of a clinical protocol) | Learning to solve problems |
| Key terms, names, dates | Things you use every day anyway |
| The outline of an oral exam or a presentation | Isolated facts where order doesn't matter |
In short: use it for what you would otherwise learn by rote, not to replace understanding. First understand, then memorize.
What the research says
The method of loci is one of the most studied memory techniques. In a well-known study published in Neuron in 2017 (Dresler and colleagues), 51 people with no memory training were split into three groups. The 17 who practised the method of loci for 30 minutes a day over 40 days went from recalling an average of 26 words out of a list of 72 to 62, while the two control groups (a working-memory exercise, or no training) barely improved. Four months later, without further practice, they still recalled over 22 words more than at the start.
Reviews that pool many experiments, mostly with university students, point the same way: a 2021 meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials (Twomey and Kroneisen) found a medium-sized benefit, and a broader 2025 review (Ondřej, British Journal of Psychology) found the clearest effect on recalling lists in order, with more mixed results for other kinds of tests. The same review also points out that many studies are small, so the exact size of the benefit is uncertain. That matches the table above: the palace is a tool for storing ordered information, not for understanding.
Turning abstract concepts into images
The main obstacle when studying is that many terms aren't images: “mitochondrion”, “habeas corpus”, “photosynthesis”. The solution is a substitute image that brings the term back, by sound or by meaning:
- By sound: break the word into pieces that sound like something concrete. “Mitochondrion” → “mighty condor”: a mighty condor flapping around in the location.
- By meaning: a symbol of the concept. Photosynthesis → a plant with solar panels instead of leaves.
- Through a person: a scientist or historical figure linked to the concept, doing something characteristic.
It doesn't need to be elegant: it needs to be memorable and lead you back to the term.
Worked example: the first ten elements
Let's memorize the first ten elements of the periodic table, in order, using a route of ten locations in your home.
| # | Element | Image | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hydrogen | a fire hydrant spraying water | front door |
| 2 | Helium | a bunch of balloons | hallway |
| 3 | Lithium | a giant battery | living room |
| 4 | Beryllium | a mountain of berries | sofa |
| 5 | Boron | a wild boar | TV |
| 6 | Carbon | a sack of charcoal | kitchen |
| 7 | Nitrogen | a knight in armour | fridge |
| 8 | Oxygen | an oxygen mask | dining table |
| 9 | Fluorine | a tube of fluoride toothpaste | bathroom |
| 10 | Neon | a flashing neon sign | bedroom |
Two scenes, up close
Front door: as you open it, a fire hydrant soaks you from head to toe. Hallway: a bunch of helium balloons lifts you towards the ceiling and your voice turns squeaky. The more absurd and physical the scene, the better it sticks.
Organizing palaces for a whole exam
- One palace per chapter or topic. Mixing subjects on the same route causes interference.
- Use places you really know: your home, your school, your route to university, a relative's house. Each one can hold dozens of locations.
- Store the outline, not every detail: for an oral exam, one location per section with a key image is often enough to bring back everything you've understood.
- Keep study palaces separate from the ones you use for daily practice: the guide explains why reusing a route creates confusion.
Combine it with active recall and spaced repetition
The palace makes encoding efficient, but it doesn't excuse you from reviewing. The two techniques research considers most effective for studying fit it perfectly:
- Active recall: instead of rereading, walk the palace with your eyes closed and try to retrieve everything, then check. That's exactly how the method is used.
- Spaced repetition: walk the palace again after a day, then after three days, then after a week. Each walk takes a few minutes.
If you've never built a palace, start with a short one: the Practice page has one ready to use, and the daily challenge is a good way to keep the habit going.
Try it now with a short list: in five minutes you'll see how the method works for you.
Start practising →Frequently asked questions
Does the method of loci work for university exams?
Yes, for the parts that require precise memorization: lists, classifications, sequences, terminology, outlines of answers. It doesn't replace understanding and exercises, but it greatly cuts the time spent learning by rote.
How many palaces do I need for an exam?
It depends on the amount of material. A good rule is one route per chapter or major topic, with 10–30 locations each. Many people use the rooms of several houses they know, plus familiar routes outdoors.
Can I use the same palace for different subjects?
Better not at the same time: the images overlap. If you need to reuse a route, wait until you no longer need the old content, or move to a different house.
Is it useful for foreign-language vocabulary?
For single words the keyword method works better (a word that sounds like the foreign term, linked to its meaning); you can then place groups of words in a palace organized by theme.