This paper explores the use of summary notes, or cheat sheets, during a closed-book examination for IT (Information Technology) honours students in an Information Security module. The stated research question is: How does the use of an allowed cheat sheet during a closed-book examination impact honours-level IT students’ preparation, stress levels, and learning depth? The theoretical background considers traditional assessment methods in higher education and their role in fostering both surface and deep learning. Closed-book exams, often emphasize memorization and can induce substantial stress, particularly in specific subjects where there is a large set of discipline-specific information or facts to master as well as applying knowledge. Incorporating a cheat sheet aims to address these challenges by allowing students to focus on understanding concepts and applying knowledge rather than practicing memorization.

The research methodology followed was a survey where a questionnaire was used in Google Forms with reflective questions, administered to students after taking part in different types of assessments; open-book, a traditional closed-book exam, and a closed-book exam with the use of a cheat sheet/allowed summary notes. This comparative analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of the cheat sheet on students' preparation strategies and examination experiences.

Findings show that the use of cheat sheets helps reduce exam-related stress and encourages students to engage with the material at a deeper level. Students reported a shift from memorization to application-focused learning, fostering a better understanding of complex information security concepts and processes. The study highlights the potential for incorporating cheat sheets as a pedagogical tool in IT education, offering a balanced approach to assessing both foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills.

This study contributes to the IT discipline education by offering insights into the students' experiences, leading to innovative and alternative examination practices that promote meaningful learning by students and align with the challenges of the field.

Keywords: IT Students, Examination, Closed-book, Closed-book with the use of cheat sheets, Reflection, Experiences, Information Security Module.