If you are currently enrolled in high school, college, or any form of learning experience and own a mac, there is a nice new way to help study for upcoming exams. This new way is an application named Cram from publisher Simple Leap. This amazing application lets you not only create your own virtual flash cards and multiple choice practice tests but also lets you submit your practice tests with others. Cram also (of course) lets you download other created flash cards and tests from other users to save you the work and time of creating your own.
At first opening you are brought the simple and easy to manage Cram interface. On the top left there is a set of icons to create a new test of your own. Creating a test is easy, by simply filling in a question, correct answer, and possible wrong answers. You have already generated not only one question of the test but simultaneously created a flash card for studying by inputing the question and correct answer. If your one serious studier and are known to buy packages upon packages of paper flash cards, you can now save yourself the paper and money by easily creating questions to be used in virtual flash cards while inside Cram.
In the top middle of the interface there are the icons to begin studying (with said flash cards) or begin the practice test (using the multiple choice question and answers). Both these bring up a simple and elegant interface for taking the multiple choice test and studying with virtual flash cards. Did I mention that you can create timed tests, photo and audio clues, and more when creating your tests and flash cards? This is not only a replacement for classic studying but goes beyond that and takes studying to a whole new level.
Finally on the top right of the interface you will see the sharing and test portal icons. By creating a Cram account (totally free) you can share and download tests with others making studying easier and more challenging. Even without a Cram account you can download tests from others via Quizlet by clicking the Test Portal icon. Quizlet has an amazing amount of tests and a growing user base that is constantly creating and sharing new content which you can study right inside Cram with flash cards and practice tests.
There are plenty of extras in Cram that I can’t even get into because you just have to play with this application yourself. Not only is Cram available for Mac but is also available for download in the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store and there’s even a Cram out there for Blackberry users. Cram for Mac is available to download for a one time purchase of $30. If you would rather grab the iPhone/Touch App it’s only seven bucks and ten bucks for Blackberry users.
If you are someone who really wants to study to the fullest, this application is definitely worth the money (especially seeing as all that paper purchasing can add up as well). The publisher really made a great intuitive interface and provides all the essentials and more for those who are looking to make getting though a class easier and more efficient.
