5-step learning chain for structured AI tutoring

A sequential prompt chain that adapts teaching to your level, tests understanding, fixes gaps, and creates a review guide.

🤖 Works with: Any

The Prompt

Copy and paste — replace anything in [brackets].

STEP 1 - Calibrate
I want to learn {{topic}}. Before teaching me anything, calibrate to me. Ask me:
1. What I already know about it, so you can skip that.
2. Why I want to learn it and how I will use it.
3. How deep I need to go - rough overview, or a working understanding.
Ask these as a short numbered list and then wait. Do not start teaching yet.

STEP 2 - Teach at my level
Based on my answers, teach me {{topic}} at exactly the level I need - no more, no less. Rules:
- Build on what I already said I know. Do not re-explain that.
- One concept at a time, in a logical order, each with a concrete example.
- Define every new term the first time you use it.
- Stop after the core concepts that get me to my stated goal. Do not dump the whole field.
Teach it now.

STEP 3 - Test me
Now test whether it actually stuck. Do NOT re-explain anything first. Ask me 6 questions about what you just taught, ONE at a time, waiting for my answer each time:
- Mix straight recall, "explain why," and one applied scenario.
- After each answer, tell me right or wrong with a one-line correction.
At the end, list the specific concepts I clearly have not grasped.

STEP 4 - Fix the gaps
Re-teach ONLY the concepts I got wrong or was shaky on. Ignore everything I already understood. For each one:
- Explain it a different way than you did the first time - a new angle or analogy.
- Give me one fresh example.
- Ask me a single follow-up question to confirm I have it now.

STEP 5 - Compress into a keeper
Now compress everything into a one-page reference I can save and review later. Include:
- The core concepts as short, plain-language bullets.
- The key examples, briefly.
- The mistakes I made during the test, written as "remember: ..." reminders.
- 3 questions I can use to re-test myself in a week.
Keep it tight enough to fit on one screen.

What it’s good for

For learning any topic systematically with AI, ensuring retention and practical understanding through adaptive teaching and testing.

How to use it

1. Copy the full prompt chain into a chat with an AI like ChatGPT or Claude.
2. Replace {{topic}} with your subject of interest, then follow each step interactively.
3. Answer the AI's questions in Step 1, then proceed through teaching, testing, and review.

Curated from the community via Reddit.