A
secret nerd studies days before an
exam, then parties or involves him or herself in non-studying activities the night before. After the secret nerd
aces the exam, his
classmates think he's a genius (or some kind of asshole). Thus, the secret nerd's purpose is to appear to others as super smart without having to
study at all.
Generally, secret nerds in college pull this off by telling their roommates, "I'm heading out for the gym for a little while", or "I'll be sleeping over at Theta Chi tonight", a few days before an exam. Where they really head off to is the library or an empty semi-secluded classroom to study their brains out. "Dropping by" these places and "accidentally" spotting then greeting them can sabotage their plans and smash their egos to smithereens.