How Students Can Use NotebookLM During Mid-Sem Exams
✨ Introduction
Mid-sem exams are stressful – you have notes, PYQs, and endless revisions with very little time.
That’s where NotebookLM by Google comes in. It’s a free AI-powered study tool that works like a personal study buddy. You can upload multiple sources (notes, PDFs, PYQs, or research material), and NotebookLM will help you summarize, organize, and generate questions.
It’s free and sufficient for most students preparing for exams. Let’s see how you can make the most of it 👇
1️⃣ Upload Notes for Summaries & Quick Q/A
Instead of rereading everything, just upload your class notes or PDFs to NotebookLM. It can then:
- Create short summaries in bullet points.
- Answer your questions directly from your notes.
- Explain difficult concepts in simple language.
Upload PDF
✅ Example: Upload Physics notes → Ask “Summarize Laws of Motion in 5 points.”
💡 Why it helps? Saves hours of revision and gives you quick clarity.
2️⃣ Generate Mind Maps & Concept Links
Studying only text can feel heavy. With NotebookLM, you can turn notes into mind maps or flowcharts.
📍 Benefits:
- Helps you visualize concepts.
- Makes connections between topics clear.
- Boosts memory for last-minute revision.
Mind Map
✅ Example: Upload Biology notes → Ask “Make a mind map of the Digestive System.”
💡 Bonus Tip: Export these mind maps and keep them on your phone for quick revision anywhere.
3️⃣ Upload PYQs & Create Smart Sample Papers
PYQs are the backbone of exam prep. Here’s a smart trick 👇
- Collect PYQs from platforms like Student Senior (which has 1000+ past year papers).
- Upload the last 2 years of PYQs into NotebookLM.
Ask For Sample Paper- Ask it to analyze repeated questions and generate a sample paper with the most likely questions.
✅ Example: Upload 2 years of Math PYQs → Ask “Make a practice paper with the most repeated topics.”
💡 Why it helps? You study strategically, focusing on the topics that matter most.
4️⃣ Personalized Study Guide 📅
Don’t know how to plan revision? Let NotebookLM do it.
- Upload your syllabus or notes.
- Tell it how many days are left.
- Get a day-wise revision plan.
✅ Example: “I have 5 days before Chemistry exam, create a daily 2-hour study schedule.”
💡 Why it helps? Removes confusion and keeps you on track.
🎯 Why Students Should Try NotebookLM
- ✔️ It’s a Google product – reliable and easy to use.
- ✔️ Free and sufficient for students.
- ✔️ Allows uploading multiple sources (notes, PYQs, PDFs, and study material).
- ✔️ Saves time and effort with summaries and mind maps.
- ✔️ Helps in smart exam prep with sample papers and study plans.
🔗 Free Resources for Students
- 👉 NotebookLM Official Page – Free to use (in supported regions).
- 👉 Student Senior – Access 1000+ PYQs to upload into NotebookLM.
✅ Conclusion
NotebookLM by Google is more than a note-taking app – it’s a complete exam companion.
With its free features, students can:
- Summarize their notes quickly
- Generate visual mind maps
- Upload 2 years of PYQs (from Student Senior) to create smart sample papers
- Plan a personalized revision schedule
If you use it smartly, NotebookLM will help you stay organized, confident, and exam-ready without extra stress. 🚀