# NotebookLM prompt: exam practice questions

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/exam-practice-questions-prompt  
Section: Prompts  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

Use it when you want questions that test understanding rather than recall. Paste the prompt below into the NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) chat and replace the parts in square brackets. It tells NotebookLM to answer only from your sources, cite them and flag what they do not cover.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Works in | NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook chat, and the customise box of Studio items |
| Sources needed | The material the exam covers, and a past paper if you have one. |
| Cost | Free to copy. Saving it in the extension is free for up to 10 plain prompts. |

## The prompt

```text
Write 12 practice questions on [TOPIC] in the style of [EXAM OR LEVEL].
Mix: 4 recall, 4 application to a new situation, 4 that ask me to compare or evaluate.
After the questions, give a separate answer section with the reasoning and the source for each answer.
Do not reuse wording from the sources in the questions.

Use only the sources in this notebook. Cite the source for every claim. If the sources do not cover something, say "not covered in the sources" instead of filling the gap.
```

## How to use it

1. Open the notebook and tick only the sources this question is about.
2. Paste the prompt into the chat and replace every part in [SQUARE BRACKETS].
3. Open two or three citations in the answer to confirm they say what the answer claims.
4. Save the answer as a note, then keep it: [Export a quiz for offline practice](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/quiz-to-offline-html).

## Adapt it

- Paste a past question as a style example.
- Ask for a marking scheme with points per step.

> NotebookLM can misread or over-generalise a source. A prompt reduces that; it does not remove it. Check cited passages before you rely on an answer.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should be in the notebook before I use the exam practice questions prompt?

The material the exam covers, and a past paper if you have one.

### How do I save this prompt in NotebookLM?

NotebookLM has no prompt library of its own. With NotebookLM Ultra Exporter you can save it to My prompts and insert it in the chat box by typing /. Free saves 10 plain prompts; variable templates, folders and backup need Pro.

### Why does the prompt ask NotebookLM to say what is not covered?

Because a grounded tool is most useful when it shows the edges of your sources. An explicit instruction to flag gaps reduces confident answers that the sources do not support.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM quizzes to an offline practice page](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/quiz-to-offline-html)
- [NotebookLM prompt: explain a difficult concept](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/concept-explainer-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: better flashcards](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/flashcard-generation-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: study plan for the time you have](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/study-plan-by-time-budget-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: teach-back check](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/teach-back-check-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: study guide from your sources](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/study-guide-from-sources-prompt)