Revision Hints and Tips...
Make sure your revision is ‘active’ rather than ‘passive’. This means you need to do something with the information you are reading – so read with a pen in hand. Make notes, or underline/highlight words/phrases. Make mind maps/posters. Write questions that you don’t know the answers to – then find out the answers. Make flash cards. Use sticky notes. Answer practice questions.
In order for all or any of this to be effective you need to have the right environment to study in. Do not try to study on your bed or sofa.
This means you need:
- A quiet space.
- A desk or table.
- Good lighting (a study lamp can be useful).
- All your equipment nearby: laptop, books, pad, pens.
- No social media – put your phone on silent and out of sight (this is your biggest distraction and reason for procrastination!).
- No TV on in the background.
Exam Mistakes...
- Look at the number of marks, this tells you how much to write. 1 mark is probably 1 sentence, 2 marks is maybe 2 keywords, etc.
- Re-read the question. Look for command words, and underline them: describe, explain, evaluate. Students often think they are answering the question, but never go back to check.
- Use bullet points for shorter answer questions, but do write in sentences (not for longer essay style questions).
- Don’t leave the essay style questions until the end. These can be worth 15 marks – much more than the 1 or 2 mark questions. Even if you just read them, and do them later.
Learning Tools...
Textbook – if you don’t have one from school then buy a second-hand one (Amazon or eBay). Make sure you know the exam board (AQA or Pearson etc).
Revision Guide and/or Revision Workbook – Again, make sure you get the right one for your exam board.
Flash cards – on paper or you can use an online source (like Quizlet).
Revision Timetable – this is essential for all your exams.
