EXAM REVISION

 

Firstly enjoy it! The things you do best you enjoy (and vice versa). Seriously though, don’t make revision become a pain. You can avoid some pain by starting early. The pleasure will be your results! Keep motivating yourself: You do want to do well and you know that it is up to you to do the work. Teachers can only guide you: not sit the exam for you!

 

The following activities have been proved to aid memory:

 

• organisation: gives meaning to the material, e.g. making revision notes,

• memorising category headings and numbered lists (use the syllabus headings, etc.),

• visual images: drawing diagrams to condense information,

• acoustic images; memorising out loud, as in learning lines for a play,

• elaboration: discuss with friends or answer a past question,

• practice: rereading notes,

• meaningful connections: acronyms, rhymes, images, acoustics, etc,

• avoiding forgetting: rest periods help to consolidate learning.

 

Putting your revision into practice:

 

• Set a revision timetable, with realistic goals and, very importantly, small rewards for reaching them (no cheating!).

• Work in short spells with adequate breaks: you may not feel tired but a change of activity will make you much more effective.

• Make notes of your notes every time you revise, improving them in line with what you found was successful, re-organising and re-evaluating.

• Use a personal glossary or summary cards to revise from.

• Revise with your friends as long as you can stay on task!

Stress is reduced by the presence of others (who will also be enjoying their revision!).

• Study the syllabus and past papers. This is not for question spotting, but to see how the questions relate to the syllabus. This is a kind of mental 'limbering up' by tackling novel questions.

 

Speak to your teachers. They can only help if you tell them what the problem is!

 

Getting started: A suggestion for the first session:

 

Start revision in a quiet room (with no T.V.) in two short bursts: perhaps two 30 minute blocks and a 5 minute break between (with a small reward at the end!).

• Organise your books/files. Put notes in order. Find the subject syllabus/check-list. Decide on a method of revision that you are comfortable with, e.g., 'index cards', highlighting key words, making 'branching' notes, mind-maps, annotated diagrams, paragraphs with link lines, etc.

• First break: collect any materials needed; paper, card, highlighter pens, etc.

• Make your revision timetable. Be realistic and stick to it! Read, understand and act upon the information on ‘aids to memory’ outlined above.

• Small reward.

 

You have now made a start. Next you’ll need to do the memory work.

Stick to your plan and you’ll reap the rewards!

Finally, get a good night’s sleep before each of your exams.

You’ll need an active mind to do your best.