By: Justin 5/16/2025
You’ve studied hard, reviewed consistently, and practiced mock exams — but during the actual board exam, you suddenly forget what you thought you knew. This frustrating experience is called a mental lapse, and it happens to even the most prepared examinees.
Understanding why it happens is the first step toward avoiding it.
A mental lapse is a sudden loss of focus, memory, or clarity while answering questions under pressure. It can lead to:
Mental lapses don't always mean you're underprepared — they often result from physical or mental strain.
Sleep is essential for memory recall and concentration. Sleep-deprived brains process information slower and make more mistakes.
Trying to review everything at the last minute can overwhelm your short-term memory. Instead of reinforcing knowledge, cramming can lead to confusion.
Worrying about the outcome can cause your brain to freeze, especially during the first few minutes of the test.
Studying for long hours without rest can lead to fatigue and mental fog. The brain needs recovery time to retain and process information effectively.
If you're not used to answering questions under time pressure, you might freeze or panic during the real exam.
These lapses are not about intelligence. They're about mental readiness.
Knowing why mental lapses happen helps you prepare smarter. In the next article, we’ll cover how to prevent them so you can perform your best on exam day.