How to study for an exam from PDFs and course files (and practice from your own material)
To study for an exam from a course PDF, split the material by syllabus topic, set a target date, and for each topic do a short read followed by practice from that same material. After each round, check what hasn't stuck yet and start there next time. Mentor does this from your files: you upload your material and get a study plan and practice, with your answers checked.
Last updated: October 2026
Summary, plan, and practice: what's the difference?
A summary shortens the material. A plan tells you what to study and when. Practice shows you what you actually know.
| What it gives you | What it doesn't do | |
|---|---|---|
| A summary of the PDF | A shorter version of the material | Doesn't tell you what to study today or check whether you understood |
| A study plan | An order of topics and dates up to the exam | Doesn't check what you've learned |
| Practice from the material | Questions that show what you know and what you don't | Doesn't organize your time |
Put a plan and practice on the same material together, and you know what to study today and what to review tomorrow.
A 5-step way to study from PDFs and course files
This works with pen and paper too. Each step takes a few minutes.
- Gather the right files. Start with the syllabus, your lecturer's slides, and notes. A class recording counts as material too.
- Set a target date. Write down the exam date and count your study days. Now you know how many topics to cover each day.
- Split by topic, not by page count. The syllabus is already split into topics. Use that split, because it is how your lecturer built the course.
- For each topic: a short read, then practice. Read the relevant part, then answer questions from that same material. Questions from your course material test your lecturer's terms.
- Update the plan after every round. What you got right moves to a later review. What you got wrong goes to the top of the list.
How Mentor does this from your files
Mentor handles steps 2 to 5 from the material you upload. You do step 1.
- Sign up. 30 days free, no credit card.
- Upload your course material: a PDF, slides, notes, a recording, or a link.
- Get a study plan and practice from that material.
- Mentor checks your answers.
- The next practice focuses on what you haven't mastered yet.
Your uploaded materials stay private to you and can't be used outside the app. You can practice in Hebrew or English.
Which files can I upload to Mentor?
You can upload PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown, audio and video, and YouTube or website links. On your phone you can also upload from your gallery or take a photo.
| Type | Formats | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), TXT, Markdown | Up to 50 MB per file |
| Audio and video | MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, WebM (turned into a transcript) | Up to 24 MB per file |
| Links | YouTube, a website or article | Websites: up to 30 pages |
| On your phone | Gallery or camera |
Common mistakes when studying from PDFs
- Only summarizing. A summary helps you read, but it doesn't show you what you don't know.
- Practicing from a generic question bank. Generic questions from the internet don't always cover what your lecturer taught.
- A plan with no date. Without a target date, it is hard to tell whether you're on track.
- Reviewing what you already know. It feels good, but the time goes to what has already stuck.
FAQ
How do I study for an exam from a course PDF?
Split the PDF by syllabus topic, set a target date, and for each topic do a short read followed by practice from that same material. After each round, start with what hasn't stuck yet. Mentor builds that kind of plan and practice from the files you upload.
What's the difference between a PDF summary and a study plan?
A summary shortens the file. A study plan tells you which topics to study and when, up to the exam. Practice checks what you understood.
How do I practice for an exam from my own notes?
Upload your summary, slides, or PDF to Mentor. Mentor builds a plan and practice questions from them, and checks your answers.
Which files can I upload to Mentor?
PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown, audio and video (MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, WebM), and YouTube or website links. On your phone you can also upload from your gallery or camera. Up to 50 MB per file, and up to 24 MB for audio and video.
Will the questions match what my lecturer taught?
Questions come from the material you uploaded, not from generic questions online.
Does Mentor check my answers?
Yes. Mentor checks your answers, and the next practice focuses on what you haven't mastered yet.
Can I upload my lecturer's slides?
Yes. Mentor keeps your materials only with you, and they can't be used outside the app. Some institutions have their own AI rules, so check your course syllabus.
Does Mentor work in Hebrew?
Yes. Mentor works in Hebrew and English, and you can practice in either.
How much does Mentor cost?
30 days free, no credit card. After that, Mentor Pro is ₪49.90 a month.
What happens after 30 days?
Your material, plans, and practice stay. To get new practice and keep talking to Mentor, you need Mentor Pro.
Can I upload a file without signing up?
No. You sign up first, and it is free for 30 days with no credit card. Then you upload your material.
How is Mentor different from NotebookLM or Studyflash?
NotebookLM answers questions from your sources and summarizes them. Studyflash makes flashcards, quizzes, and other study aids. Mentor builds a study plan and practice from your course material, in Hebrew or English, and checks your answers. See the full comparisons at https://my-mentor.app/compare/notebooklm and https://my-mentor.app/compare/studyflash.
Start free
Upload your course PDFs, slides, or notes and get a plan and practice from your material, with your answers checked.
Start free30 days free, no credit card.