Paste any of these into Claude or ChatGPT. Swap the words in [brackets] for your own. Each one makes the AI check what you already know before it teaches you, so you only learn the parts you're missing.
Prompt 1: Find what you don't know yet
I have to learn [topic] for work and I'm mostly starting from zero. Don't explain anything yet. Ask me 5 quick questions so you know what I already get, then teach me only the gaps.
Prompt 2: Learn from one real example
Walk me through one real [task] in [topic], step by step, and tell me why you did each step. Then give me a similar one to try and check my answer.
Prompt 3: Skip the beginner mistakes
What are the 5 mistakes people usually make when they start with [topic]? For each one, how would I notice I'm making it, and what should I do instead?
Prompt 4: Get a one-page cheat sheet
I'm a [role]. Make me a one-page cheat sheet for [topic]: what to learn first, what can wait, and what I can ignore. Put it in a table.
Prompt 5: Explain it back
Here's how I'd explain [concept]: [your explanation]. Be honest. What did I get right, what am I missing, and what would trip me up at work?
Prompt 6: Practise on your real work
I work as [role]. Give me 3 small exercises with [topic] based on the work I do every day. Under 15 minutes each, one at a time, and wait for my answer.
Prompt 7: Review it on Friday
Here are my notes from this week on [topic]: [paste notes]. Quiz me with 3 questions on the parts I'm shakiest on, then tell me what to focus on next week.
How to use them together
Start with prompt 1 on day one. Use prompts 2 and 6 while you practise, prompt 5 when you think you've got it, and prompt 7 at the end of each week.