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ChatGPT prompts for making practice questions that actually help you pass.

Chatgpt prompts for making practice questions [Free Guide]

Discover the best ChatGPT prompts for making practice questions, quizzes, and mock exams from your notes to improve active recall and performance.

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ChatGPT Prompts for Making Practice Questions

Many students struggle to move from passive reading to active testing, often finding themselves staring at notes without knowing if the information is actually sticking. These prompts unlock a powerful feedback loop, transforming your static study materials into dynamic practice exams that simulate real-world testing conditions for better retention and faster understanding. Copy/paste the prompts below to start testing your knowledge immediately.

The Quick Start Guide to Generating Practice Exams

To get the highest quality questions from ChatGPT, follow this simple framework: paste your specific lecture notes or textbook chapters directly into the chat before asking for questions. This prevents the AI from hallucinating information not covered in your syllabus. Use the 'Rule of Context': always specify the exam format (multiple choice, short answer, or essay) and the academic level (high school, undergrad, or professional) to ensure the difficulty matches your needs.

How to Use These Prompts Effectively

  • Step 1: Feed the Brain: Paste your source material (PDF transcripts, slides, or handwritten notes) first.

  • Step 2: Set Constraints: Define the number of questions, the specific format, and whether you want a time limit or difficulty curve.

  • Step 3: Analyze and Iterate: Ask ChatGPT to provide the answer key separately and explain the 'why' behind any answer you got wrong.

  • Step 4: Automate for Retention: Move these questions into a dedicated workspace like Duetoday to track your progress over time.

Bucket A: Fundamental Understanding

1. The Conceptual Gap-Finder

Use this when you want to see if you actually understand the core mechanics of a topic rather than just memorizing definitions.

I am pasting my notes on [Topic]. Please generate 5 open-ended questions that require me to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind these concepts. Do not ask for simple definitions; instead, focus on how these concepts relate to each other
I am pasting my notes on [Topic]. Please generate 5 open-ended questions that require me to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind these concepts. Do not ask for simple definitions; instead, focus on how these concepts relate to each other
I am pasting my notes on [Topic]. Please generate 5 open-ended questions that require me to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind these concepts. Do not ask for simple definitions; instead, focus on how these concepts relate to each other

A good answer will force you to synthesize different parts of your notes into a coherent explanation.

2. The 'Explain Like I'm 5' Quiz

Use this to ensure you haven't hidden your lack of understanding behind complex jargon.

Based on the attached text, create 3 questions that ask me to explain these complex ideas using simple analogies or everyday language. If I cannot explain it simply, I don't know it well enough.
Based on the attached text, create 3 questions that ask me to explain these complex ideas using simple analogies or everyday language. If I cannot explain it simply, I don't know it well enough.
Based on the attached text, create 3 questions that ask me to explain these complex ideas using simple analogies or everyday language. If I cannot explain it simply, I don't know it well enough.

A good answer uses clear, non-technical language to prove mastery of the underlying principle.

3. The Scrutinating Socratic Tutor

Use this for a back-and-forth dialogue that mimics a real oral exam.

Act as a Socratic tutor. Based on these notes, ask me one challenging question at a time. After I respond, evaluate my answer, give me feedback, and then ask a follow-up question that digs deeper into the topic
Act as a Socratic tutor. Based on these notes, ask me one challenging question at a time. After I respond, evaluate my answer, give me feedback, and then ask a follow-up question that digs deeper into the topic
Act as a Socratic tutor. Based on these notes, ask me one challenging question at a time. After I respond, evaluate my answer, give me feedback, and then ask a follow-up question that digs deeper into the topic

A good answer involves a progressive increase in difficulty based on your previous responses.

Bucket B: Memory and Recall

4. The Spaced Repetition Builder

Use this to create a list of questions designed specifically for long-term memory storage.

Scan my notes and identify the 10 most critical facts, dates, or formulas. Create 10 'Fill-in-the-blank' questions for these items to help me build strong mental triggers for active recall
Scan my notes and identify the 10 most critical facts, dates, or formulas. Create 10 'Fill-in-the-blank' questions for these items to help me build strong mental triggers for active recall
Scan my notes and identify the 10 most critical facts, dates, or formulas. Create 10 'Fill-in-the-blank' questions for these items to help me build strong mental triggers for active recall

A good answer focuses on high-impact data points that are likely to appear on a cumulative exam.

5. The Multiple-Choice Mock Exam

Use this to simulate the exact environment of a standardized test.

Generate a 10-question multiple-choice quiz based on this text. Include 4 options per question (A, B, C, D) and ensure the 'distractors' (wrong answers) are plausible and common mistakes. Provide the answer key at the very end
Generate a 10-question multiple-choice quiz based on this text. Include 4 options per question (A, B, C, D) and ensure the 'distractors' (wrong answers) are plausible and common mistakes. Provide the answer key at the very end
Generate a 10-question multiple-choice quiz based on this text. Include 4 options per question (A, B, C, D) and ensure the 'distractors' (wrong answers) are plausible and common mistakes. Provide the answer key at the very end

A good answer will challenge your ability to distinguish between nearly correct and actually correct options.

Bucket C: Practical Application

6. The Case Study Generator

Use this for subjects like business, law, or medicine where you must apply theory to a scenario.

Using the theories in my notes, write a short hypothetical case study. Then, ask me 3 questions about how to solve the problem in the case study using the specific frameworks mentioned in my text
Using the theories in my notes, write a short hypothetical case study. Then, ask me 3 questions about how to solve the problem in the case study using the specific frameworks mentioned in my text
Using the theories in my notes, write a short hypothetical case study. Then, ask me 3 questions about how to solve the problem in the case study using the specific frameworks mentioned in my text

A good answer requires you to apply abstract rules to a concrete, messy situation.

7. The Error-Log Drill

Use this to focus specifically on the areas where you are weakest.

I am going to provide a list of questions I got wrong recently. Based on these topics, create 5 new practice questions that approach these concepts from a different angle to ensure I truly understand my mistakes
I am going to provide a list of questions I got wrong recently. Based on these topics, create 5 new practice questions that approach these concepts from a different angle to ensure I truly understand my mistakes
I am going to provide a list of questions I got wrong recently. Based on these topics, create 5 new practice questions that approach these concepts from a different angle to ensure I truly understand my mistakes

A good answer bridges the gap between your previous misunderstanding and correct logic.

8. The 'Teach It Back' Challenge

Use this to reach the highest level of mastery by assuming the role of the instructor.

Based on these notes, ask me to explain a specific subsection as if I were teaching a class. Once I respond, grade my 'lesson' based on accuracy, clarity, and whether I missed any key details from the source material
Based on these notes, ask me to explain a specific subsection as if I were teaching a class. Once I respond, grade my 'lesson' based on accuracy, clarity, and whether I missed any key details from the source material
Based on these notes, ask me to explain a specific subsection as if I were teaching a class. Once I respond, grade my 'lesson' based on accuracy, clarity, and whether I missed any key details from the source material

A good answer provides specific feedback on which parts of your explanation were weak or incomplete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Asking without source text: ChatGPT will pull from its general training data, which might contradict your professor's specific requirements.

  • Ignoring formatting: If you don't ask for multiple-choice, the AI often defaults to broad, easy-to-answer questions.

  • Neglecting 'The Why': Simply getting a question right isn't enough; always ask the AI to explain the logic to avoid 'lucky' guesses.

  • Zero Retrieval Practice: Using ChatGPT to summarize rather than test yourself is a waste of its potential for active recall.

Master Your Learning Today

Pick two prompts from the list above and run them against your most recent set of notes. If you want a more streamlined experience that automates this entire workflow—uploading, testing, and tracking—check out Duetoday.

Duetoday is an AI-powered learning OS that turns your study materials into personalised, bite-sized study guides, cheat sheets, and active learning flows.

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