Open-book reference organisation

Organise permitted notes for an open-book exam

An open-book exam still requires you to understand the material and answer the question within its rules. A large folder of unorganised notes can consume time that belongs to reasoning and writing. Build a route to the permitted information you may need, then practise using that route on a representative task.

UCL and Newcastle publish guidance on preparing for open-book or take-home assessments. Their examples do not establish what your exam permits. Confirm your own rules for notes, books, internet access, collaboration and tools before creating a reference pack or assuming that any resource is allowed.

Tailored Deals · Researched guidance · 5 September 2026

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Define the permitted reference set

Read the assessment instructions and make a list of allowed resources and restrictions. Check whether notes may be printed, digital, annotated or limited in size. Ask the course team about ambiguous wording. Do not treat an open-book label as permission to contact other people or use an unlisted tool.

Separate material used during revision from material permitted during the assessment. You may study from a broad collection but bring only a specified subset into the exam. Keep the permitted pack identifiable so an unnecessary file or sheet does not become part of the exam setup by accident.

Create an index around course concepts

List the main concepts or task types within the assessed scope. For each, record where the relevant definition, example, evidence or formula can be found. Use consistent names that match the course. A topic index is more useful than a list of file dates if you need to locate an idea quickly.

Include exact locations such as page, section or slide references. If digital search is permitted, check that the files contain searchable text and that your chosen terms find the right passage. If using paper, choose clear dividers and labels. Use materials you already have before buying an elaborate filing system.

Make short summaries that guide reasoning

For each major topic, write a concise account of the key idea, important qualification and typical use. Point to fuller evidence rather than copying the entire source. Include common distinctions that help you choose between approaches. The summary should support your understanding, not become a script to paste into any question.

Keep quotations, paraphrases and personal commentary distinguishable, with source details where the assessment requires them. A reference pack can create attribution problems if copied wording loses its label. Check any formula or factual statement against course materials before making it part of the exam resource.

Practise navigation on a real task

Choose a representative question and attempt it under the intended conditions. Notice when you consult the pack and how long it takes to find useful material. If you repeatedly open several files for the same concept, improve the index. If you consult notes for every sentence, identify the understanding that needs more revision.

Do not judge the system only by whether you can find a known heading. Test whether the located material helps answer an unfamiliar question. You still need to select relevant evidence and explain its significance. A well-indexed source that does not address the question should remain unused.

Freeze and check the final pack

Before the exam, remove duplicates and clearly mark the current version. Recheck the allowed-resource rules and any recent course announcements. Verify that digital files open on the permitted device or that printed pages are complete and readable. Follow the approved arrangements for any accessibility support.

Keep the pack stable once it works. Adding a large amount of new material at the last moment can make familiar navigation less reliable. Use the final preparation period to practise interpreting questions and forming answers, with the reference pack providing targeted support rather than replacing the learning the assessment is designed to examine.

Your next steps

Confirm the exact allowed-resource rules.
Index concepts to precise source locations.
Keep summaries concise and attribution clear.
Practise using the pack while answering a representative question.

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Sources were consulted on 5 September 2026. Provider terms and services can change; check your exact booking, product or university service.

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