REVISION

1. REVISION Be prepared for your exams

2. SAM Learning • www.samlearning.com • Centre ID: Sk13gc • User ID: Date of birth followed by two initials, first name then last name. Example: 010896DJ is the User ID for David Jones born 1st Aug 1996 • Password: Initially same as User ID, learners are encouraged to change this to something difficult to guess or work out

3. Useful websites • www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ • www.gcseguide.co.uk • www.gcse.com • www.s-cool.co.uk • www.revisioncentre.co.uk • www.positivelymad.co.uk • www.myrevisionplan.co.uk

4. Top 10 Revision Techniques 1 Use index cards to write keywords on or summarise a topic. Coloured pictures or symbols can be used to help recall. 2 Self-test. Test yourself as you go. Do so regularly and in different ways.

5. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 3 Draw ‘mind maps’ or ‘spider diagrams’ on large pieces of paper – to show how different parts of a subject hang together. 4 Use pictures and big flip-chart sheets and colour to make posters with key points; display these on the walls or where you will see them regularly.

6. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 5 Stick post-its up around the house - read them when sitting on the loo, brushing your teeth or eating your breakfast. 6 Use highlighter pens to highlight key areas of notes or books (if yours), picking out the key points or summaries.

7. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 7 Read a page and shut the book – what can you remember? 8 Get people around you to test you on your knowledge – have a family quiz.

8. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 9 Tell someone what you have learned – explain how the heart works over a meal (or perhaps stick to something less gory). 10 Teach a topic to a fellow student or a friend.

9. How do I revise? Get organised! • Get all your notes, books, handouts together for each exam you will take. • Create a quiet area to work – away from distractions! • Make sure you know how you will be assessed for each subject.

10. How do I revise? cntd… Where should I begin? • Make yourself start however much you don’t want to – the hardest bit is over with then! • Start revision early – allowing at least two weeks for each exam. The sooner you start, the less you will have to do each day and the less stressed out you will be. • The most important thing is to make a realistic revision timetable that you will stick to.

11. How do I revise? cntd… Getting started • Make a note of the dates of your trial exams. • Make sure you know which tier you are being entered for. • Transfer exam dates onto a revision planner.

12. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision • Space revision out into short sessions. e.g. 1 hour sessions. • Build in short breaks. • Do frequent short exercises – stretches, neck and shoulder rolls, walking around etc. • Drink water and get fresh air. Keep the temperature cool.

13. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision ….. • Eat ‘brain food’ – avoid sugar and have lots of healthy snacks around to eat little and often. • Don’t leave the difficult bits to the end. • Do something relaxing between revising and bedtime. • STOP and take a break if you start feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed. Make a note of the problem to take to your next lesson, and move on to something else.

14. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision …………… • Focus on what you have done, not all the things that you haven’t – every little helps. • Promise yourself little rewards after each session – a favourite TV programme, reading a novel or going out with friends. • At the end of each session, file away your notes and clutter so that your work-area is clear for the next session.

15. How do I revise? cntd… Finally! • Get to the exam on time. • Try not to study too much the night before the exam. • Early to bed and get to school with time to spare. Success is a CHOICE not a chance!