Students can feel disappointed when hours of studying don’t translate into the grades they expect. It’s a frustrating gap, and one that often comes down to how information is absorbed rather than how much time is spent reviewing it.

Note-taking plays a central role in that process, but not all notes are created equal. Many students default to typing for speed or handwriting for familiarity. This is done without thinking about how each method affects focus, comprehension, and memory.

The question isn’t just which is easier. It’s which one works better in each situation.

This guide breaks down the strengths of handwritten and typed notes, when to use each, and how to make both more effective.

Handwritten Notes: The Classic Style

Prior to the start of the COVID pandemic, handwritten notes were generally the default in most American classrooms. Virtual schooling and zoom flipped a majority in favor of typing, but not all students and educators are convinced.

Mueller and Oppenheimer’s 2014 Study

One landmark 2014 study from psychology researchers at UChicago and UCLA came back decisively in favor of handwritten notes.

A sample of college students was asked to watch TED talks and record what they saw in note form; some groups were given laptops to do this while others transcribed through writing. At the end, they assessed the participants on what they learned.

The results showed:

• Writers showed a higher conceptual understanding of the material than typers. This was despite recording 33% less words than typers.
• Typers tended to transcribe what was being said more directly, while writers shortened or paraphrased what they heard. Even when typers were asked to do so, they still showed lower conceptual understanding in the end.
• Writers also showed more activity in the motor and spatial areas of the brain.

The Benefits of Handwritten Notes

Handwriting is typically slower than typing and often requires shortening information into smaller pieces. Many assume this is a weakness, as it prevents capture of all the information. However, the additional processing necessary to do this increases the brain’s ability to retain what has been learned.

Another perceived benefit of handwriting is the lack of digital distractions. Many students, especially in lower grades, may find themselves sidetracked by online games or social media when they need to focus on their notes.

Typed Notes: The Modern Alternative

Even before remote schooling and the COVID pandemic, educational hardware and software both gained significant traction in the 2010s.

Tools like chromebooks and cloud-based virtual office suites were seen by students and teachers alike as welcome, convenient additions to school curriculums and rapidly integrated.

How Typing Conquered Education

Despite what studies like Mueller and Oppenheimer’s 2014 findings suggest, most present-day students and teachers prefer digital and see it as a valid way of taking notes. Some of the arguments in favor of typing include:

• Faster: Notetakers can record more information in a shorter amount of time when typing.
• More Complete: Because typing is faster, it allows for more accurate and direct capture of the information.
• Easy to search: Many word processors have built-in word search functions, resulting in information being easier to find.
• Easy to re-organize: removing a word or turning a paragraph into a bulleted list is just a simple backspace or enter key away.
• Easier to share with classmates: Group projects or filling in a peer who missed class is made simpler through shared documents.
• Less to carry: large binders, frequent locker trips, and carrying around a full backpack aren’t necessary when all your important documents are in Google Suite or Microsoft Office.

Typed notes have also proven beneficial for certain neurodivergent learners. Students who struggle to follow along with verbal information have seen improvements after switching to typing, as it allows them to record information more quickly. The easier organization and searchability of digital notes also remove the cognitive load of organizing and looking over papers.

When Each Method Works Best

Handwriting and typing both come with considerable benefits and are better than simply not taking notes. There isn’t a single approach that works best in every situation.

Instead, the winning strategy is to use each in situations where they work best.

When to Use Handwritten Notes

You may want to opt for handwritten notes in the following scenarios:

• Early, conceptual learning about new material
• Studying/exam prep
• Writing equations or diagrams in math or science
• Brainstorming

All of these require learners to use critical thinking skills and develop an intuitive understanding of the subject matter.

When to Type Notes

Typed or digital notes are often more helpful in the situations below:

• Faster-paced lessons or lectures
• Research or projects requiring external links
• Collaborative notes or projects
• Longer lists of information
• Neurodivergent learners who struggle with handwriting/keeping up with lectures

In these situations, the external tools available through the internet, AI, or apps can be hugely beneficial.

Database and website links can be easily compiled into one, and tools like citation machine make it easy to properly cite sources. Search functions on word processors can also make finding the proper information in long lists of notes simple and direct.

How Typing Helps Neurodivergent Students

The faster typing speed also helps neurodivergent students as well as in faster-paced classrooms in general. Students with Dyslexia or other motor disabilities often struggle with handwriting and have trouble keeping up with verbal lessons.

If lectures move so fast that it hinders the ability to fully absorb information, a switch to typing can be greatly beneficial.

Developing the Optimal Classroom Strategy

Note-taking is a fundamental aspect of the classroom experience. Expecting to perform well on assignments and exams without a good note-taking regimen is like trying to do long division if you never learned to count.

Fortunately, those skills can be developed through proper discipline, focusing on academics, and some additional training.

At Test Prep Score, we help students of all ages sharpen their academic skills and learn to succeed in classroom and exam environments. Check out our find a tutor page to find the ideal classroom support.