Exam information & Revision Techniques

Preparation for Exams.

Information

Importance of Exams

To test you on everything you have learned in the year.

To inform parents/ teachers & you of how much progress you have made. Exam results will be sent home to parents in the final Data Collection.

To prepare you for your final GCSE exams and exam procedures.

Revision Timetable.• Planning a timetable helps you to get organised

and you can see just what time you have available to revise. (You might be surprised.)

• Sticking to this plan for a few weeks will help you to get higher marks in your exams. One weeks worth of revision will have little impact on your results.

• Have your plan visible where you can see it every day.

• Colour code different subjects so you can see how much time you are spending on each subject.

Revision Timetable.• Write on when you can also have free time. It is still

possible!

• It is possible to do revision in the morning. Some people get up early and could spend 20 – 30 minutes revising a subject.

• If you are revising in lessons listen carefully and take advantage of the extra time studying the subject.

• Find a quiet space at lunch and do some revision with your friends.

• Use all your time wisely – DON’T WASTE IT!

Example Revision TimetableMon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

7am Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast

8am school school school school school TV French

9am school school school school school English Break

10am school school school school school Break French

11am school school school school school English Maths

12pm school school school school school lunch Lunch

1pm school school school school school Science Geography

2pm school school school school school Break Break

3pm school school school school school Science History

4pm Tea & TV Trampolining

Tea & TV Drama club

Tea & TV Break Tea

5pm Tea & TV Tea & TV Football Tea & TV French Tea Homework

6pm Maths Geography

Technology

English Out Out Break

7pm English Science Maths RE Out Out Maths

8pm RE History Science History TV out Break

Reminders Plenty of revision

Eat breakfast, have a drink and get plenty of sleep the night before.

Arrive on time / early

Be prepared with equipment: 2x BLACK pens, pencil, ruler, rubber, colours & calculator when necessary. (All must be in a clear pencil case)

Reminders Water in a clear bottle, all labels removed.

Correct uniform worn correctly.

Mobile phones / smart devices MUST be handed in and turned off.

Calm & quiet waiting outside the exam room.

No talking once you enter the exam room.

Techniques for good revision

There is no right or wrong way to revise but there are lots of ways to

do it...

Good study conditions Concentration is easier if you create the best possible conditions for study.

You should study alone if possible – free from distractions and interruptions.

You should be in comfortable surroundings - with all your study materials to hand.

Are you ready to revise?

Practise for success

• Lots of your study tasks will become easier - as you practise more.

• Be prepared to advance slowly at first. Be prepared for 'bad days' and problems.

• There is no magic formula - only regular work. • Every time you are tempted to give up - give it one more go

instead. • Successful people are often those who practise more - like

athletes, musicians, and even film stars.

Each time you complete a study session, you will know a little more. This will help you to feel more confident.

How to take notes

What to record• Notes are a shortened version of some information.

• You should choose only the main points from the original.

• Don't try to record all of the source materials.

• Show the difference between the main points and any examples.

Structure• Use headings and sub-headings for separate sections.

• Use letters, numbers, or indentation to identify individual items/topics.

• Keep the items/topics separate: this makes them easier to see.

Many people have good visual memory. Clear layout

helps recall of details.

Build in clarity

• Listen, read, or watch closely, thinking carefully about the subject.

• Decide which parts will be most useful.

• Convert the original material into your own words. This will help you to remember it at a later date.

Layout• Write as clearly as possible.

• Leave spaces between each topic.

• Use a system of numbered points. This helps to keep one point distinct from another.

• Don't use continuous writing.

• Don't write in complete sentences.

• Don't string points together.

• Write on one side of page only.

Brevity

• Write incomplete sentences. These are notes - not finished writing.

• Miss out any words which are not important.

• Use abbreviations wherever possible.

• You can also use mathematical symbols such as + = < & >

• Use diagrams, graphs, or pictures where possible.

Some people devise their own personal code of abbreviations and signs.

Storage

• Keep notes in a loose-leaf binder or a pocket file.

• Use coloured dividers to keep sections separate.

• The loose-leaf method allows you to add new notes without trouble.

• You can also re-write pages, and add diagrams or pictures.

• Some people prefer small index cards by compressing your notes for revision (ideal to take with you when you are out!).

• Keep things separate, with clear labels for easy recall.

Mnemonics

Mnemonics can help you to recall information. You remember one thing by means of another.

For instance, the notes in music are (on the lines) E,G,B,D,F and (in the spaces) F,A,C,E.

You can remember these as 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favour' and the single word 'FACE'.

Keep it simple. Mnemonics need to be short, sharp, and effective.

Layout

• Lots of people have a very visual memory.

• You remember the shape of words on a page, or things which have been written as symbols or pictures.

• The clear layout of your notes may help you to remember the contents.

• You might remember complex topics if they are presented in a simple visual manner.

Practice regularly • De-mystify exams by looking at past papers.

• Choose a question, and make an outline plan for an answer.

• Do this in your own time, at your own pace.

• Then see how much you can write in half an hour.

• The more experience you have of tackling questions, the less nervous you will feel.

• Repeat this sort of preparation, and you will feel more comfortable

Study groups • Why not revise together with some of your friends?

• Many of them will have the same fears and problems as you.

• Discuss your feelings with each other, and learn from what the others say.

• You can test yourselves by posing each other questions. Turn your revision into a fun quiz.

• Study groups can help you feel less nervous.

• There is nothing wrong in working along with other people.

• This is not 'cheating' - it's learning!

Be positive • Take a positive view of yourself.

• If you've attended classes and done your coursework, there's every chance that you'll succeed.

• Don't think about problems, or what will happen if you fail.

• This is just wasting time which should be spent revising.

• Think about what you need to do, rather than about yourself.

• Just tell yourself that you'll make an effort - and you'll feel better

Positive Thinking creates Positive Results