Real-world examples of examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques

Most articles explain the theory first. Let’s flip that. Here are concrete, real-world examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques so you can see what it looks like in action and then steal what works for you.

Example of the Feynman Technique for a high school math exam

Imagine a student, Maya, studying quadratic equations for an Algebra II test. She keeps mixing up factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula. Instead of rereading the chapter again, she uses the Feynman Technique:

She opens a blank sheet (or Google Doc) and writes at the top:

“Explaining quadratics to a 7th grader.”

Then she writes, in her own words:

“A quadratic is just a math sentence where the x has a little 2 on it, like x² + 5x + 6 = 0. Our goal is to find what x could be to make the sentence equal zero.”

She walks through factoring using small, easy numbers and adds a simple story: the numbers in the parentheses are like two ‘friends’ that multiply to the last number and add to the middle number.

In the process, she realizes she can’t clearly explain why the quadratic formula works—she only remembers it as a chant. That’s the Feynman Technique doing its job: exposing the gap. Now she goes back to her notes and Khan Academy, focuses on the derivation once, and then rewrites a simpler explanation in her own words.

This is one of the best examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques because it shows the full loop: explain, find the gap, review, and simplify.

Real examples of the Feynman Technique for AP Biology or college bio

Take a college student, Jordan, prepping for an AP Biology exam. The topic: cellular respiration. The textbook is dense and packed with jargon.

Jordan grabs a notebook and titles the page:

“How your body turns a sandwich into energy (explained to a 10-year-old).”

He then:

• Tells the story of a sandwich being broken down into smaller and smaller pieces.
• Describes glycolysis as the first chopping step.
• Explains the Krebs cycle as a “spin cycle” in a washing machine, stripping off energy bits.
• Describes the electron transport chain as a staircase where each step releases a little energy.

When he gets to NADH and FADH₂, he realizes he can’t explain what they “carry” without using jargon. Gap found. He revisits a trusted source, like the MIT OpenCourseWare biology videos or a high-quality textbook, then rewrites the explanation:

“NADH and FADH₂ are like rechargeable batteries that carry energy from one part of the cell to another.”

By turning the chapter into a kid-friendly story, Jordan not only remembers it better but can also reconstruct the details during the exam. Among all examples of examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques, this one shows how analogies make complex processes stick.

Using the Feynman Technique for MCAT or medical prerequisites

Pre-med students live in acronym land: MCAT, ATP, DNA, RNA, CNS. One of the most powerful real examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques comes from MCAT prep.

Consider a student struggling with the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) in physiology. She opens her digital notes app and creates a new section called:

“How your body freaks out (and fixes) low blood pressure.”

She records a voice memo explaining it as if she’s talking to a friend who hates science:

• “Your kidneys are like pressure sensors.”
• “When pressure is low, they release a chemical signal (renin) that starts a domino effect.”
• “That domino effect tightens blood vessels and tells your body to hold onto more water and salt, which brings pressure back up.”

She plays the memo back and hears herself stumbling on the role of angiotensin II. That’s her cue to review a reputable source—maybe a physiology lecture from a university like Harvard Medical School or a detailed explanation from NIH. Then she re-records a tighter, simpler explanation.

Here, the Feynman Technique is blended with modern tools: audio notes, spaced review, and high-yield exam content.

Language learning: an underrated example of the Feynman Technique

The method isn’t just for science and math. One powerful example of the Feynman technique in study techniques comes from language learning.

A Spanish learner, Sam, keeps mixing up the preterite and imperfect past tenses. Instead of memorizing charts yet again, Sam decides to “teach” a fake beginner student.

He writes:

“Explaining Spanish past tense to someone who only knows present tense.”

Then he:

• Creates tiny stories in English first: “Yesterday I went to the store,” vs. “When I was a kid, I used to go to the store every day.”
• Tries to explain: preterite = one-time, finished events; imperfect = repeated or background actions.
• Comes up with a visual: preterite is a dot on a timeline, imperfect is a long bar.

When he can’t clearly explain edge cases (like when both tenses appear in the same sentence), that’s his study target. He checks a trusted grammar source, like a university language department site (for example, University of Texas at Austin’s Spanish resources), then rewrites his explanation with clearer examples.

This kind of language example belongs in any list of the best examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques because it shows the method works beyond technical subjects.

SAT, ACT, and GRE: test prep examples of the Feynman Technique

Standardized tests love to hit the same concepts from slightly different angles. The Feynman Technique fits perfectly here.

Picture a student prepping for the SAT who keeps missing questions on comma usage and sentence boundaries. Instead of doing yet another problem set, she decides to “teach” commas.

She opens a doc titled:

“Explaining commas to someone who hates grammar.”

She tries to explain, in plain English:

• How commas separate items in a list.
• How they set off extra information.
• How they work with conjunctions like and or but.

While explaining, she realizes she can’t confidently tell the difference between a comma splice and a correct compound sentence. That’s her gap. She looks up a reliable guide, such as the Purdue Online Writing Lab at purdue.edu, studies a few examples, and then rewrites:

“If both sides of the comma could be full sentences on their own, you can’t just stick a comma in between them without a joining word like and or but. Otherwise, it’s a comma splice.”

By turning rules into simple explanations and examples, she’s more likely to recognize patterns on test day.

Similarly, a GRE student might use the Feynman Technique to explain rate-time-distance problems or data interpretation to an imaginary freshman, sharpening both speed and accuracy.

Study group twist: peer teaching as a live Feynman Technique

Another one of the real examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques shows up in study groups.

A group of nursing students meets weekly to prep for pharmacology. Each person is assigned a drug class—beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and so on. Their job: show up and explain their assigned topic to the group like they’re teaching new students.

The rules:

• No reading from notes.
• No heavy jargon unless you can translate it immediately.
• Everyone else is allowed to ask “dumb” questions.

When someone gets stuck answering “But why do we avoid this drug in asthma?” that becomes a homework assignment: go find a clear explanation from a trusted source such as Mayo Clinic or MedlinePlus, then come back next week with a simpler version.

This is the Feynman Technique in live form: explain, get challenged, find gaps, refine.

Digital-era examples: using the Feynman Technique with modern tools

In 2024–2025, students are mixing the Feynman Technique with online tools in creative ways. Here are a few examples of examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques that reflect current trends:

• Shared explanation docs: Students create shared Google Docs where each person writes a “teach it to a 12-year-old” explanation of a topic—like photosynthesis, supply and demand, or Newton’s laws. Classmates comment whenever something feels confusing. Every confused comment points to a gap.

• Short video or audio summaries: Learners record 2–3 minute videos explaining a topic as if they’re making content for a younger sibling. Re-watching reveals where they ramble or freeze. Those are the parts to review.

• Forum answers as practice: Some students answer beginner questions on sites like Reddit’s r/learnmath or r/explainlikeimfive. Turning a concept into a friendly explanation for strangers is a live example of the Feynman technique in study techniques, especially when others reply, “I still don’t get this part.”

• Flashcards with mini-explanations: Instead of just writing “Definition of osmosis,” students write: “Explain osmosis in one sentence as if you’re talking about water moving through a fence.” They then practice saying it aloud.

These modern twists keep the spirit of the Feynman Technique—simple explanations and honest gap-finding—while fitting into current digital study habits.

How to build your own Feynman-style study routine

Now that you’ve seen several real examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques, here’s a simple way to build it into your routine without overcomplicating things.

First, pick a topic you think you understand: maybe balancing chemical equations, supply and demand curves, or the difference between correlation and causation.

Then, follow this pattern:

• Teach it on paper or out loud. Pretend your audience is younger, less experienced, or just tired after a long day.
• Circle the fuzzy spots. Any sentence that feels shaky, vague, or filled with jargon is a red flag.
• Targeted review. Instead of rereading the whole chapter, go straight to the parts connected to your fuzzy spots. Use reliable sources—your textbook, class notes, or trusted .edu and .gov resources.
• Rewrite the explanation. Make it shorter, clearer, and more like a story or simple rule.
• Test it with a real person if possible. A friend, sibling, or study partner will quickly expose anything that still doesn’t land.

You don’t have to use this method for every topic. The smart move is to reserve it for concepts that are high-yield for your exam and historically confusing for you.

For more background on how learning through explanation helps memory and understanding, you can explore research from universities and organizations like Harvard Graduate School of Education and the learning science work summarized by the U.S. Department of Education.

FAQ: common questions about Feynman Technique examples

What are some simple examples of the Feynman Technique for beginners?

A beginner-friendly example of the Feynman Technique is explaining fractions to an imaginary 9-year-old. You might say, “A fraction is just a way to show how many slices of a pizza you have.” If you get stuck explaining why 1/2 is the same as 2/4, that’s your cue to review equivalent fractions and then try again with pictures or simpler numbers.

Can I use the Feynman Technique for memorization-heavy subjects like anatomy?

Yes, but focus on systems, not just lists. Instead of memorizing every muscle by name, pick a region (like the shoulder) and explain how the main muscles work together to lift your arm. Turning raw facts into a story or a simple cause-and-effect explanation is one of the most effective examples of the Feynman technique in study techniques for memorization-heavy courses.

How often should I use the Feynman Technique while studying for big exams?

You don’t need to use it every day for every topic. Many students find it helpful to pick a few high-priority concepts each week and run them through a Feynman-style explanation. For example, during MCAT prep, you might choose one physics topic and one biochemistry pathway each week to “teach” in simple language.

Is writing better than speaking when using the Feynman Technique?

Both work. Writing forces you to slow down and be precise, while speaking reveals where you hesitate or lose your train of thought. Many students combine them: write a short explanation first, then try explaining it out loud without looking. If you can explain it clearly both ways, you’re in good shape.

Where can I find more research or guidance on learning strategies like this?

Look for evidence-based learning advice from organizations such as the Institute of Education Sciences and university learning centers like those at Harvard or other major universities. They often summarize study techniques—like self-explanation and teaching others—that align closely with the Feynman Technique.