What might be a consequence of cramming before an exam?

Cramming before an exam often leads to the consequence of higher chances of poor performance. This is largely because cramming involves trying to learn a large volume of information in a very short period, which can overwhelm the mind and hinder effective retention. The brain has limited capacity for memory consolidation, especially under time pressure. This rushed learning approach can result in superficial understanding, causing students to forget or misapply what they've attempted to memorize during the exam.

In addition, the stress and anxiety often accompanying last-minute studying can further negatively affect cognitive functioning and test performance. Ultimately, while individuals may feel they are preparing, the lack of proper study habits and the depth of understanding that comes from more regular, spaced-out study sessions means they may not perform well on the test.