I used the brain dump strategy for nearly every CLEP and DSST exam I ever took—and I passed a lot of them. Sometimes I used it for formulas, sometimes for vocabulary, sometimes just to list things I memorized right before I walked in. If you’re in the least bit nervous that your teen will pass their CLEP exam, let them in on this strategy because it is a game-changer.
If you’re preparing to take a CLEP exam, you’ve probably spent time reviewing practice tests, watching videos, and going over your flashcards. But no matter how well you study, there’s always that one moment—right as you’re about to take the test—where you feel like your brain is going to drop the ball.
This strategy grabs those fragile, last-minute facts before your nerves take over.
Let me introduce you to my favorite test-day strategy: the Brain Dump. I didn’t invent it, but I’ve used it with every CLEP I’ve ever taken, and it’s 100% legal to use!
What Is a Brain Dump?
A “brain dump” is a quick way to unload everything from your short-term memory onto scratch paper the moment your CLEP test begins. It’s not cheating—it’s a smart, allowed way to help you stay calm and focused. You’ll have your notes with you up until the moment you walk into the testing center (or turn on your remote proctor) so using these last few minutes are a valuable part of the strategy.
How It Works – Step by Step
Step 1: You’ll Need Scratch Paper
If you’re testing in a testing center, you are allowed to ask for scratch paper. As soon as you arrive, alert the staff that you’ll need scratch paper. The staff will give you a blank sheet of paper (or whiteboard). If they forget, ask for it before your test begins—you won’t be able to leave your seat once the exam starts. If you’re testing at home, you’ll need a small whiteboard or a sheet of paper inside a transparent sleeve like a page protector. You’ll use a dry-erase marker in either case. PLAN AHEAD! They will not allow you to have paper if you’re using remote proctoring.
Step 2: Dump Your Brain
As soon as the exam clock starts ticking, take 5 or so minutes to write down key facts you’re afraid you might forget later. Here are some examples of what you might want to write down:
Human Growth & Development
- Piaget’s stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational
- Erikson’s psychosocial stages (Initiative vs. Guilt, Identity vs. Role Confusion, etc.)
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
College Mathematics
- Common formulas: area of a circle, Pythagorean theorem, compound interest
- Order of operations (PEMDAS)
- Conversions (e.g., percentages to decimals)
U.S. History I or II
- Important dates: 1492, 1776, 1865
- Constitutional amendments
- Major wars in order
- Names of key historical figures
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
- Literary devices: metaphor, irony, personification
- Story structure (conflict, climax, resolution)
- Author names and their famous works
Introductory Psychology
- Pavlov = Classical conditioning
- Skinner = Operant conditioning
- Freud = Id, ego, superego
- Milgram = Obedience experiment
- Maslow = Hierarchy of needs
Sociology
- Terms: social stratification, norms, deviance, institutions
- Big names: Marx, Durkheim, Weber
- Types of societies (pre-industrial, industrial, post-industrial)
For my American Government exam, I wrote down all the U.S. Presidents (in order) because it helped me keep track of the sequence of events without also keeping track of dates.
Why the Brain Dump Works
✅ Lowers Stress
The biggest benefit is emotional: your nerves are high, but now you don’t have to carry the pressure of remembering 20 random facts. You’ve parked them safely on your paper.
✅ Prevents “Blanking Out” Moments
We’ve all been there. You know you studied something, but your mind goes blank. With a brain dump, you just glance at your notes.
✅ Speeds Up Test Taking
Instead of trying to mentally recall everything, you just look at what you wrote and move on. This saves time and keeps your momentum going.
✅ Helps Visual Learners
Writing things down helps you retain them better, especially for those who learn visually or kinesthetically.
What You Can’t Do
Let’s be very clear:
- ❌ You cannot use any notes, flashcards, or paper prepared ahead of time.
- ❌ You cannot write anything down before your test time begins.
- ❌ You must turn in your scratch paper when the test is over.
Even if the staff forgets to ask for it, you are responsible for handing it in. If you leave the building with scratch notes, your test score could be invalidated, and you could be flagged for misconduct. Don’t risk it!
I used the brain dump strategy for nearly every CLEP and DSST exam I ever took – it works!!
