Exams, both internal and external, are something every student at school has to go through, whether they’re doing IGCSEs, A levels, or even just midterms. With these exams, of course, comes stress and pressure, as well as hours and hours of revision. Almost every student will sit down with their textbooks and laptop in front of them, and then wonder, “What now?” Revision isn’t easy, but by following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to work in a more effective and efficient way.
Make a revision timetable.
Okay, this one’s nothing new. Every single teacher drills this in, and, honestly, it is really important to have a sense of time management and organization. By allotting certain amounts of time for every subject, it means you’ll be able to study for multiple subjects every day, preventing you from “burning out.” If you try to work on maths every day for 5 hours, you’ll get incredibly bored and won’t be able to work as effectively. Try to allot more time towards more difficult subjects and less time towards easier subjects (but never allot a subject no time at all!) so that you bring yourself up to level on each subject equally.
Get rid of distractions.
So now that you’ve made a timetable, you actually have to follow through with it! Put all your devices on silent and keep them away from you so that you’re not tempted to check your phone notifications every 5 minutes. It’s good to have them in a separate room or even with someone else to prevent you from getting distracted. Work somewhere quiet and comfortable, where you are able to focus on what you’re doing rather than what’s going on around you. Have a water bottle near you, and maybe a snack, plus any stationery you need for your work. Try to just sit down and revise without interruption for a set period of time. It might seem very obvious, but we often overlook how distracting external factors can be.
Take breaks.
Before you get really excited about this one, remember that you do have to work hard before earning a break! One of the most productive ways of doing so is studying for an hour and then taking a ten-minute break. It’s important to clear your mind. During this break, take time to go to the bathroom, drink some water and maybe grab a snack. Avoid using your phone since you’ll be tempted to do so while you’re studying as well. Make sure your breaks aren’t too long or too frequent because it will divert your attention and you won’t possess the appropriate mindset once you get back to work.
Find a learning method that works for you.
Some people tend to be visual learners and work better when dealing with diagrams and images. If so, it’s good to make flashcards and coloured notes which will jog your memory during the exam.
Others are auditory learners, which means they retain more information by listening to it. It often helps to watch videos and listen to podcasts in this case, making notes as you go along. One effective revision technique is explaining the topic to another person (for example, a family member or a friend), or just recording yourself explaining it so that you can listen to it again. By teaching the topic, you consolidate your knowledge and are able to convey it the way you’ll need to for an exam.
If you’re like me, you learn by just reading or writing the material, and for this, you should have a separate revision notebook to make all your revision notes in.
Whatever method works for you, make sure you plan out what exactly you’re going to do during your revision time so that you don’t waste the time you do have.
Make good revision notes.
This could be the best learning method for you- but how do you know if your notes are “good”? Well, it depends on every person. Usually, it’s good to have notes that are colourful and easy to read, with diagrams and images since your brain often learns better from visuals. Writing things down also helps your memory and you’re 5 times more likely to be able to recall a fact if you write it down instead of just reading over it. By writing in different colours, you’ll not only be able to take in information better, but it’s also a more interactive and engaging way to revise, which means you’re less likely to get bored and distracted from your work. However, this doesn’t work for everyone, so look for something that helps YOU learn. Try bullet points, summary sheets, and posters, explore each one!
Start early.
Don’t start revising for something the night before – cramming information means you’ll likely forget it all on the day of the exam. Instead, spread revision over a few weeks or months (depending on what exam you have) and make sure to work in moderation. Don’t overwork yourself, but don’t underwork yourself either- and make sure you have enough time to get everything done. Some people tend to learn better in the evening, while others can start working as soon as they wake up. Either way, don’t stay up until 3 AM revising because you don’t work as efficiently when you’re tired. Have some rest, but start working immediately after so that you don’t waste time and accumulate too much work.
Do past papers.
Never underestimate the importance of past papers. No matter what subject you’re working on, it’s always good to have an idea of how the exam paper is going to look. It is crucial that you understand the style of the questions and work on timing yourself when completing papers so that you’re well prepared for exam season. Managing your time is something a lot of people struggle with, so it’s always good to work on that by making sure you complete the paper within the time limit. Spend some time making revision notes first, and closer to the exam date, invest in a past paper booklet or a website subscription and work through all the past papers you can find. Don’t leave this too late, though, because these papers can be very time-consuming and difficult.
Familiarise yourself with the syllabus.
Apart from papers, you should also be looking at mark schemes so that you know what kind of answers the exam board is looking for. The official Cambridge website has many sample mark schemes, and you can find them on other past paper website as well. Once you know what topics you need to be prepared for, it’s easier to alter your revision plan to accommodate them. Note down keywords and phrases that earn you marks in the exam and try using them more in your work so that you’re more accustomed to them.
Find a way to motivate yourself.
Humans have a need for instant gratification, and if you set yourself rewards for revising, you’ll find yourself more motivated to do it. An example would be: “If I complete 11 of these papers this week, I’ll go out with my friends on the weekend and buy a new shirt.” Make sure you stick to this, though – and don’t take a break after being unproductive. Set yourself goals and rewards that gratify you and make sure you complete the task you’ve set for yourself. This way, you can be productive and still manage your personal and social life.
Relax!
Don’t overstress yourself! Make sure you get enough sleep every night, eat healthily, and drink enough water. If you revise effectively, you shouldn’t feel the need to be stressed on the day of the exam. Take a break from revision the day before and try to relax and calm your head so that you walk into the hall with a clear and focused mindset. Overworking will reduce your productivity and cause burnout; therefore, revise in moderation and try to stay on track.
Good luck!
