I must rewrite my notes into a notebook so I can easily remember it. Then I just read my notes again and again until I know it by heart. (I usually study for a whole week before the exam occurs)
OH and make dirty acronyms or mnemonics for as much stuff as you can. Even if they're ridiculous and make no sense, you will NEVER forget that King Philip Comes Over For Good Sex (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species, BAM).