Revision Techniques for GCSE students.Advice for parents- How can you help your child achieve success?

Revision techniques0 Index cards, mind maps and notes0 Use to record key points0 Incorporate pictures, colour coding, highlighting

0 Learning posters and visual material0 Use patterns, colours, symbols and drawings0 Cover key points and topics0 Develop diagrams or mind maps for your course or topic0 Pin them up where you’ll see them often

0 Key words, phrases, themes or concepts0 Use the course introductions, summaries, key questions to understand a topic or unit of work0 Highlight key words or phrases to help remember them

0 Summary tables or grids0 Compare or evaluate competing theories or key ideas in a spread sheet

0 Teach someone0 Teach a topic to a fellow student or a friend0 Thinking it through is effective revision0 Fill in the gaps in your knowledge as you identify them

0 Reinforce your memory0 As you end a revision session, review key points

http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy/revision-techniques.php

Where to study?

0Find a quiet place to study and make sure you are sitting comfortably

0Make sure your desk is well lit and clean0Keep background noise to a minimum0Avoid studying in an area where there will be

distractions like television!0Have everything you need to do your revision to hand

before you start0Have your revision timetable nearby

Studying Tips0 Turn your notes into revision tools0 Study with a friend and test each other’s knowledge0 Work through past question papers – and use a watch to time them so

that you can practice timing your answers. 0 Choose study and revision guides sensibly. Save valuable time and get

recommendations from your teachers0 Remember course notes are also a valuable source of extra help0 Keep yourself more alert by changing revision methods during a

session. 0 Attend any revision classes that your teachers may be running at

school and get their advice on revision methods0 Look after yourself – Sometimes revision can become a competition

– who stayed up latest, who worked longest, who’s worrying the most. But the more tired you are the less efficiently you’ll work. You need to rest as well as study, eat well, drink lots of water and make sure you pace yourself. Don’t rush, and equally don’t over-revise by doing too much too soon.

Revision Timetable

0 List all your exam subjects and the amount of time you think you will need for each one. It is unlikely that the amounts will be equal. Many people find it advisable to allocate more time to the subject or topics they find the most difficult

0 Draw up a revision plan for each week0 Fill in any regular commitments you have first and the dates of your examinations0 Use Revision Checklists or Syllabuses for each subject as a starting point. Look at what you

need to know and try to identify any gaps in your knowledge. 0 Divide your time for each subject into topics based on the units in the revision checklist or

syllabus, and make sure you allow enough time for each one0 Plan your time carefully, assigning more time to subjects and topics you find difficult0 Revise often; try and do a little every day0 Plan in time off, including time for activities which can be done out in the fresh air. Take a 5 or

10 minute break every hour and do some stretching exercises, go for a short walk or make a drink

0 You may find it helpful to change from one subject to another at ‘break’ time, for example doing one or two sessions of maths and then changing to Geography, or alternating a favourite subject with a more difficult one. It helps to build in some variety

0 Write up your plan and display it somewhere visible0 Adjust your timetable if necessary and try to focus on your weakest topics and subjects0 Don’t panic; think about what you can achieve, not what you can’t. Positive thinking is

important!

Dealing with exam nerves!0 Create a revision plan to help you feel in control of the process0 Find out what is involved in the exam:

0 where and when it will take place0 how much time is allowed0 how many questions you need to answer0 Do past papers for practice

0 Think positively0 Keep the exam in context – even if you do badly, there will be

other options open to you0 Allow yourself some fun-time each day to relax0 Eat sensibly – your brain cells need energy to function well.

Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated. Dehydration makes you tired and reduces concentration

0 Ensure you get enough sleep

Tips for sitting the exam

0 Check you have the correct equipment 0 Leave for the exam in plenty of time0 Look through the paper first and highlight key words in the

questions0 Look at the marks available and read the questions carefully,

following instructions given in the paper 0 Pace yourself and allow enough time to answer all the required

questions0 Write as neatly as possible to help the examiner to mark your work.

Marking untidy writing is difficult0 For longer answers, take a few minutes before you begin to produce

a structured plan of what you are going to include in each section on scrap paper provided

0 Allow yourself ten minutes at the end to read through your answers and correct any mistakes

0 Check you have answered all the questions on every page of the exam paper

How can parents help?0Encourage your child to revise but don’t hassle them0Ensure they have breaks and a good work life balance0Ensure they eat, drink water and sleep properly0Ensure they have all the tools they need for revision. eg:

post it notes and coloured pens0Ensure they have a quiet area to study in0Remind them to attend revision lessons at school0Recognise that not all students are brilliant at all subjects0Be realistic about your child's level of ability0Never get angry if they have tried their best but have not

done well0Give them encouragement and praise at every opportunity