1. KnowFi: when time before the exam runs short
In the last few days before an exam, every minute counts. Instead of typing out questions and searching your notes for the right passage, you press a shortcut in KnowFi: the practice question is recognised on screen, and the answer and reasoning from your own notes appear in the Mac menu bar. That way you get through more past papers in less time and still know for every question why the answer is right. For single choice, multiple choice and open questions with a model answer.
Good for: understanding why an answer is right and where it is in your notes. Less good for: getting into a topic for the first time.
2. ChatGPT: generate mock exams
If you lack past papers, ChatGPT can create new practice questions and whole mock exams from your material. It can also give feedback on your own answers.
Good for: extra practice questions and feedback. Less good for: questions in your examiners' style; real past papers are better for that.
| KnowFi | ChatGPT | NotebookLM | Claude | Anki | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strongest phase | Practising past papers | Creating mock exams | Condensing material | Closing gaps in dialogue | Locking in facts |
| Works with your notes | Yes, selected locally | By upload | As a source | By upload | Via your own cards |
| Capturing a question | Shortcut from the screen | Typing or upload | Typing | Typing or upload | Not intended |
As of November 2026. Details about other providers without guarantee; please check features and prices with each provider.
3. NotebookLM: condense material before the exam
NotebookLM summarises your notes, creates study guides and answers questions with references to the right passage.
Good for: an overview of lots of material. Less good for: quick practice. More in KnowFi vs. NotebookLM.
4. Claude: talk through difficult topics
Claude explains in depth and handles long documents well. Useful when you want to work through a topic in conversation until it sticks.
Good for: closing gaps in dialogue. Less good for: answers based on your notes without uploading.
5. Anki: lock in facts until exam day
Not AI in the narrow sense, but its algorithm schedules your reviews so facts stay fresh until exam day.
Good for: definitions, formulas and terms. Less good for: connections. More in KnowFi vs. Anki.
Which tool in which phase?
- Four to six weeks before: work through material with NotebookLM or Claude, move facts into Anki.
- Two to four weeks before: work through past papers and practice questions with KnowFi, collect mistakes.
- Last week: a mock exam under real conditions, without aids and with a time limit, then review it with KnowFi.
- A detailed template is in the guide Study plan for exam season.
And in the exam itself?
All tools listed here are meant for preparation. In the exam, your university's or provider's rules apply, including for online exams. Where AI tools are not allowed, don't use them, KnowFi included. The point of preparing is that you can answer on your own on exam day anyway.
Updated 11 November 2026