Claude Study Guide Prompt Template
You get a study guide built from your own course material that organizes the key ideas, terms and likely questions, with self-test questions to check yourself. This version is set up for Claude: attach the documents, code or data the prompt refers to, or paste them below the prompt. Below you'll find the prompt, how to run it in Claude, a worked example and answers to common questions.
Create a study guide from my course material. ## Course Subject and level: [e.g. intro biology, college freshman] Exam or unit: [e.g. Unit 3 exam on cellular respiration] Exam format: [e.g. multiple choice plus 2 short answers] ## Material [paste lecture notes, textbook sections, slides text, or the topic list from the syllabus] ## Instructions - Organize the guide by topic, in the order the material builds. - For each topic: the core idea in two or three sentences, key terms with short definitions, and one example. - Highlight connections between topics. - Base everything on my material. If something important seems missing, mention it instead of filling it in. - End with self-test questions that match my exam format, with answers in a separate section. ## Output format 1. Topic sections with core idea, key terms, example 2. A one-paragraph big-picture summary 3. Self-test questions 4. Answer key Context - Reference material: [paste it below, or attach the file]
How to use this prompt
- 1
Open Claude
Start a new chat in Claude and paste the prompt.
- 2
Give it context
Attach the documents, code or data the prompt refers to, or paste them below the prompt.
- 3
Review and iterate
Reply in the same chat to refine. Point to the exact part you want changed.
- 4
Save what you repeat
If you use this prompt often for one body of work, set it up in a Claude Project with the instructions and reference files saved.
Working in Claude
- •Claude handles long documents well, so paste the full source text rather than a summary when accuracy matters.
- •Longer pieces of writing or code may open in a side panel (an artifact) that you can edit and ask Claude to revise.
- •Clear structure helps: separate instructions from the material with headings or tags such as <document>.
Worked example
What you give it
Subject: intro biology, college. Unit: cellular respiration. Format: multiple choice and short answer. Material (from my notes): glycolysis in cytoplasm, glucose to 2 pyruvate, net 2 ATP and 2 NADH. Krebs cycle in mitochondrial matrix. Electron transport chain on inner mitochondrial membrane makes most ATP, needs oxygen as the final electron acceptor.
What a good answer looks like (shortened)
1. Topics Glycolysis Core idea: in the cytoplasm, one glucose is split into two pyruvate molecules, for a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH. It does not need oxygen. Key terms: pyruvate, NADH (an electron carrier). Krebs cycle Core idea: in the mitochondrial matrix, products of pyruvate are broken down further, releasing CO2 and loading more electron carriers. Electron transport chain Core idea: on the inner mitochondrial membrane, electrons from NADH pass along a chain and power most ATP production. Oxygen is the final electron acceptor. 2. Big picture: glucose is broken down in stages, and most of the energy is captured at the end, which is why the process depends on oxygen. 3. Self-test - Where does glycolysis happen? a) matrix b) cytoplasm c) inner membrane - Short answer: why does the electron transport chain stop without oxygen? 4. Answers: b. Electrons have nowhere to go, so the chain backs up and ATP production drops.
Tips for better results
- •Paste your actual notes or syllabus topics into Material. Your instructor's emphasis is the best predictor of what is on the exam.
- •Set the Exam format so the self-test questions match the real test. Practicing short answers prepares you differently than multiple choice.
- •Longer pieces of writing or code may open in a side panel (an artifact) that you can edit and ask Claude to revise.
- •Avoid this: Reading the guide without doing the self-test questions, which feels productive but builds little recall.
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Variations
One-page cheat sheet
Change Output format to: A one-page summary with only key terms, formulas and one-line definitions.
Flashcards
Change Output format to: 25 flashcards in the format Front: term or question | Back: answer.
Concept map
Add this line to Instructions: Show how the topics connect as a text outline, with arrows for cause and effect.
Save it as a Retext snippet
Retext is a free text expander for Mac. Save this prompt once, then type ;studyguide in any app (ChatGPT, Claude, your editor, a browser tab) and the full prompt is pasted in.
- Click Add to Retext. The prompt installs as a snippet with the trigger ;studyguide.
- Change the trigger in Retext if you prefer a different one.
- Type the trigger wherever you want the prompt, then fill in the brackets.
Frequently asked questions
Are AI study guides accurate?
They are most accurate when built from your own course material. Check facts against your notes or textbook, especially numbers and definitions your instructor may phrase differently.
How do I keep Claude from adding things I didn't ask for?
Say what to leave out, and give the output format exactly, for example "Reply with the table only."
Is a study guide enough to prepare for an exam?
It helps organize what to learn, but testing yourself does more for recall than rereading. Use the self-test questions and ask for more on the topics you miss.
How do I reuse this prompt without copying it every time?
Click Add to Retext to save it as a snippet. Then type ;studyguide in any Mac app, including your AI tool, and the full prompt is pasted in.
Related Templates
Get the free prompt pack
Our best coding prompts in one Markdown file, delivered by email. The templates here stay free either way — the pack just saves you the copying.