u/Legyecske22

I’ve been using NotebookLM for studying, and I really like the general idea of uploading materials and being able to chat with them. For understanding topics, getting summaries, or asking questions about a document, it can be very useful.

But when I try to use it specifically for exam preparation, I keep feeling like something is missing.

The biggest issue for me is that it helps with understanding, but it does not really turn the material into a structured study workflow. I still have to decide what to review, when to review it, and how to make sure I am actively recalling the content instead of just reading summaries.

Some problems I keep noticing:

• It is good for understanding material, but not as good for memorising it.
• It does not feel very focused on spaced repetition or exam deadlines.
• I still need another tool if I want proper flashcards or active recall.
• The generated summaries are useful, but they do not always map cleanly to what I actually need to practice.
• It feels more like a research/chat tool than a full exam revision tool.

I’ve been looking at alternatives that are more focused on active recall and review sessions. For example:

• Anki is very powerful for spaced repetition, but it takes a lot of manual setup and does not feel very connected to uploaded lecture materials or exam dates.
• Quizlet is easier and more polished, but it feels more like simple flashcard practice than a complete exam preparation workflow.
• RemNote is good if you want notes and flashcards together, although it can feel like a bigger system you have to fully commit to.
• Knowt is useful for turning notes into study materials, but the workflow still feels a bit separate from actual exam planning.
• StudyFetch / Gizmo / similar AI study tools are interesting, but I sometimes find them either too generic or too focused on quick generation rather than managing revision over time.
• ExamFlow is another one I came across / have been trying, which is more focused on uploaded course material, generated flashcards, and exam-date-aware spaced repetition: https://examflowapp.com

I guess what I am looking for is something closer to: “I have an exam on this date, help me study efficiently until then,” instead of only “summarize this PDF.”

Curious if others feel the same way about NotebookLM. Do you mainly use it for understanding and summaries, or have you found a good workflow for actual exam revision and memorisation?

Also interested in hearing what alternatives people are using for AI-assisted studying.