Create a Revision plan

Planning your revision schedule will give you the time needed to cover all of your subjects whilst revising. Allocating time for each subject means you can focus without the need to rush or cram revision in at the last possible minute the night before your exams. 

The BBC has some tips on how to setup your own revision timetable:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zn3497h#zq2nf82 

 

We can print revision planners for you, or you can download one for your own use down below:

Use Active Revision Techniques

Rather than trying to memorise all of the information you have learnt during your classes, use active revision methods such as creating flashcards, using a graphic organiser – a mind map for example, or summarising your notes. These are some methods of active recall that will help you remember the key things you need to know. 

This guide can help you understand what revision methods might work best for you

 

Flashcards help you test yourself and you can create your own so they are customised to the things you have trouble remembering. There are also flashcard apps, and some pre-made flashcard sets available if you’re looking for a place to start. 

The PDF below gives you some tips on how to create flashcards and some examples for what you might include for each subject.

 

If you do decide to use apps or premade flashcards, you might need to know what awarding body you are taking your exam with – these can be found on the Year 11 curriculum map here:

Graphic organisers help you to visualise the links between topics and facts and helps to strengthen your memory. Below are some completed examples of graphic organisers you might not have seen before – it’s designed for teachers but may give you some new ideas of organisers that might work better for you than mind maps so take a look. 

If you’d like some copies of a specific organiser, you can request it from your form tutor, Mrs Singleton, or Ms Hale. 

Look After yourself

Revising for your GCSEs can be a stressful and sometimes overwhelming time, so it’s important to remember to make time for yourself and your well-being whilst you’re revising. This will help you keep focused, reduce anxiety, and help make the time you are using to revise productive.  

Taking revision breaks, eating well, getting a good night’s sleep and keeping active will help make your study time effective and reduce any stress you might be feeling during this time.

The BBC have some tips on creating a good study-life balance for yourself here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbcbd6f#zqxy3j6. There are also some tips on relieving exam-related stress: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z8dw239.