Teaching an introduction to chemistry course and I plan on allowing the students to bring a sheet of notes to the exam. I initially figured I should do handwritten only on a 3x5 note card but now I'm wondering if I should allow a standard 8x11piece of paper. Do you allow writing on both sides? I also have some students with absolutely atrocious handwriting so should I allow the sheet to be handwritten or printed?

Overall, I just want students to learn how to synthesize information and use the cheat sheet as another incentive to study. The exam isn't going to be a regurgitation of problems we've done in class so even if they try copying down every problem without actually understanding the material they won't do very well.

I'm clearly overthinking this but just wondering what others typically do. Thanks!