Developing Memory and Understanding Skills for Subject-Specific Knowledge Processing and to Face High-Stakes Exams: A Case Study

University students possess different levels of language and cognitive abilities in gaining their subject knowledge and face tremendous challenges to get through the exams in distinction. The present education system expects the students to possess excellent subject knowledge and outstanding results in their exams. In light of this context, this paper attempts to address how students are engrossed in learning difficulties while subject knowledge processing and facing their examinations. Qualitative case study approach has been undertaken to analyze the language and cognitive skills of the students in memory processing of their subject knowledge to face the exams. Their language learning attitudes and preferences to apply memorizing and understanding skills while learning the course content are discussed. It is observed that adequate language and cognitive skills are essential to understand and process the subject content in memory. It is also found that both memory and understanding skills are necessary for gaining adequate knowledge on the subject and to retrieve the same while writing in the exams.