Benefits of Using SQ4R Method
Benefits of Using SQ4R Method
What is SQ4R?
It’s an active learning strategy that can be adapted to suit an individual’s study
preferences.
It provides a strategy to retain a lot of factual detail, reducing the amount of
information that has to be relearned for exams.
It prompts the creation of study material to be used when preparing for exams.
It helps to identify errors or areas of confusion.
Read the preface and introduction to the text, and browse through the table of
contents and the index. This will describe the main topics and the basic
organizational structure of the book.
Read the introduction and conclusion in each chapter and subsection.
Scan the titles and subtitles. Study the pictures, charts, or graphs.
Read the summary and any chapter questions.
Take the section title, subtitle, or the first sentence of each paragraph and turn it
into a question.
For example: “Functions of the spinal cord” becomes “What are the functions of
the spinal cord?”
Close the textbook and answer the question you created in your own words.
If you can’t answer the question, reread the section until you can.
If, after a few tries, you still can’t answer the question, go on to the next few
sections and see if things become clearer.
If that doesn’t help, you may need to change your question. Try making it broader
or narrower.
If changing your question doesn't help, get some assistance. Your instructor or
TA are good places to start, or contact Learning Services.
Once you understand the material and can summarize it in your own words make
a record of it.
Common methods are highlighting and/or marking the text, or taking notes, or
some combination of both.
Whichever methods you choose, it's critical to read and understand the material
first, and then go back and record.
See below for the pros and cons of notetaking and highlighting.
See our resources for help with note taking.
Do a thorough review of lecture and text notes weekly, and briefly before each
class.
Make weekly review periods effective by starting from the beginning of the
course in each review session. Though the volume of review material increases
as the semester progresses, the amount of time needed to review older material
decreases. After you've reviewed the first week's material a few times, it will take
only minutes to skim over it and recall the key points.