Year 2 Revision Advice
Top Ten Revision Tips
1. Short bursts of revision (30‑40 minutes) are most effective. Your concentration lapses after about an hour and you need to take a short break (5‑10 minutes).
2. Find a quiet place to revise ‑ your bedroom, school, the library ‑ and refuse to be interrupted or distracted.
3. Make sure you don't just revise the subjects and topics you like. Work on your weaker ones as well.
4. Make your own revision notes because you will remember what you have written down more easily. Stick key notes to cupboards or doors so you see them everyday.
5. Rewrite the key points of your revision notes; read them out loud to yourself. We remember more than twice as much of what we say aloud than of what we merely read.
6. Use different techniques. Make your own learning maps, use post‑it notes to write key words on, create flash cards. Record your notes on tape and listen to them back on your Walkman. Ask friends and family to test you. Use highlighter pens to mark important points. Chant or make up a rap song.
7. Practise on past exam papers or revision tests available on the web Initially do one section at a time and progress to doing an entire paper against the clock.
8. You will need help at some stage, ask parents, older brothers and sisters, teachers or friends. If there is a teacher with whom you get on well at school ask for their e‑mail address so you can clarify points you are unsure of whilst on study leave. Use websites specifically designed for revision.
9. Don't get stressed out! Eat properly and get lots of sleep!
10. Believe in yourself and be positive. If you think you can succeed you will; if you convince yourself that you will fail, that's what will probably happen.
Effective revision
To be effective,
revision must be:
- Active - always work
with a pen and paper, look for key points, test yourself. Never just sit
down and read for a set period. Focus on tasks, not time. If you just read notes you’ll only
retain about 10% of the information.
- Organised - always ask
yourself at the start of a study session "what do I want to have
completed in this session?" Have a plan for what you want to cover
this week and this month. Have an overview of the priority areas in each
subject.
Getting started on revision
Where?
Find a fixed place to study (a particular desk/room at home, a spot in the
library, etc.) that becomes firmly associated in your mind with productive
work. All the equipment and materials you need should be within reach, and the
room should be well lit and ventilated, but not too comfortable! Turn your room into a positive learning
environment. Keep books and notes on the desk to a minimum and decorate your
walls with colourful notes and key facts. Music is fine as long as it helps you
to study and blocks out distracting noises. The very best sound to study to is
thought to be that of Baroque composers or Mozart. Experiments show that brains
are positively stimulated and IQs boosted by such music.
What?
Remember that it's all about being active and focused on tasks, not time! Know at the start of a
session what you want to have completed by the end of the period. Make the
tasks specific and realistic, not vague and large.
How?
Always work with a pen and paper at the ready. Getting started is often the
most difficult bit, so start by 'doing'. It usually helps to begin with a
subject you like, move on to other less favoured areas, and then finish up with
a favoured topic to maintain the interest.
When?
Try to schedule your study for times when you are more mentally alert. Most
people find their ability to focus deteriorates towards the end of the day.
Getting revision done earlier in the day aids efficiency and also offers the
reward of having time to relax after the work is done.
Why?
Test your progress at the end of a study session. Ask yourself "what have
I just learned?" Review the material covered in your revision session.
Merely recognising material isn't enough - you must be able to reproduce it
without the aid of the book or notes.
REVISION - Do’s and don’ts
DO
1. Make a list of
all the topics you need to revise:
Each subject that you are studying can be broken down into its constituent
parts, with main sections, sub-topics and supporting details. A very useful
start is to list out all the topics on the course according to this hierarchy
and use this as a 'revision checklist' for the subject. Tick topics off
as you’ve learnt them.
2. Create a realistic schedule.
Block the waking part of each day into three portions. Allow yourself one portion a day off and allocate subjects and topics to the remaining two. Put the schedule on display so that your family can see when you are available. It will also reassure your parents that you are in control.
3. Plan ahead by working
backwards
By using revision checklists in your various subjects, you should know what
quantity of material has to be covered over the coming months. Start from the
final date (end of May) and divide your revision up week by week, allowing some
flexibility for unforeseen delays. Surprise yourself by being ready in time!
Use the timetables and other sheets you have been given.
4. Revise using your
preferred learning style.
Have you tried….. mindmaps, diagrams, colour, mnemonics, recording yourself and listening back to it, rewriting your favourite song using your revision notes for a topic as the words, walking round (Great for kinaesthetic learners – try read out the positive effects of X standing on the left hand side of the room and negative effects on the right hand side).
DON’T
Just keep going! The body and the mind need regular 'time-outs'. When you're tired, concentration is more difficult, you get distracted much easier and learning and memorisation is less effective. There comes a point in an evening study session when it is counter-productive to stay at the desk - nothing is going in and you are only tiring yourself further. Use breaks effectively, particularly after completing a task.
How should I revise?
Try one of these……
A: MIND MAPS: Make mind‑maps or association maps rather than taking linear notes. Mapping your notes by radiating key words out in a pattern of links from a central point will make best use of your memory. If you use colour and images on the maps, you'll be harnessing the power of both sides of your brain ‑ creative and logical.
B: Read intelligently. Spend five minutes flipping through a book or your notes looking at headings and summaries. Then attempt to mind map what you have spotted and what you can remember.
C: Use cards. Write questions on one side and answers on the other. Then get your family to test you. Merely creating the cards will help your recall. You can also use them to test yourself when faced with 'dead' time at bus stops or waiting for someone.
D: Physical learning: Use the environment Use a different room for
each subject.
v Notice aspects of the
environment such as the light or feel of the room - how do you feel in that
place?
v Attach your notes to the
furniture. Notice their location.
v Associate a different location with each subject. Associate furniture, windows, plants and ornaments with particular topics.
Using your clothes
v Associate items of clothing with topics in your learning - a shoe could represent one aspect of foreign policy; each button on a shirt could represent a quotation. Clothes with patterns, pockets and buttons are especially useful.
Using the parts of your body
v Parts of your body are especially helpful as triggers to memory, as your body will be there in the exam room! For example, each hand could represent an essay plan – each finger one major topic; each segment of each finger a principal reference you would use. The fingernails could represent counterarguments; the knuckles could be associated with relevant quotations.
Use motor memory
v Study on the move. If you
exercise, associate each movement with something you wish to remember. To
refresh the memory, go through the exercise in your mind.
v Writing, drawing and speaking also use motor memory: the fine-muscle sequence is recorded by the brain.
E: Condense. Fitting notes
onto one side of paper makes them easier to stomach, so rewrite and cut down as
you go.
F: Highlight. Target key
areas using colours and symbols. Visuals help you remember the facts.
G: Record. Try putting
important points, quotes and formulae on tape. If you hear them and read them,
they're more likely to sink in.
H: Talk. Read your notes
out loud, it's one way of getting them to register.
I: Test. See what you
can remember without notes, but avoid testing yourself on subjects you know
already. Why not ask someone else to test you?
J: Time. Do past exam papers against the clock, it's an excellent way of getting up to speed and of checking where there are gaps in your knowledge.
Reading Better and Faster
Most students, when faced with a
textbook or chapter to study, will 'start at the beginning, read through at the
same pace until the end, then stop and put the book away'. This passive
approach is a most inefficient way to learn, as it can take longer and leave
you bogged down in detail, with no overall grasp of the subject matter. By
adopting a more active approach to reading, you can begin to read better
and faster within a very short space of time. The PQ2R method has proved
to be most successful in this regard. Try it for the remaining weeks of term
and see the benefits.
P
= Preview
Begin your reading task with a quick skim (2-3 minutes) of the text, trying to
get an overview of the chapter or text. Look for section headings, illustrative
charts and diagrams, signposts or key words. Don't start highlighting text at
this point.
Q
= Question
This is the key to active learning. Look for answers to the basic questions of
"Who?", "What?", "Where?", "Why?" and
"When?" Identify the main theme or learning point of the particular
text.
R
= Read
Now read the chapter carefully, with these questions in mind. Your mind will be
actively looking for answers as you read. Work with a pen and paper, make brief
summary notes, look for 'topic sentences' that summarise the most important
point in a paragraph or section and highlight them, if necessary. Vary your
reading speed - move quickly over lighter, less important material and slow
down when you come to a difficult section.
R
= Review
Always check your understanding of the material by reviewing and testing your
recall before putting the text away. Look at the notes you have taken and check
that they answer your initial questions. Summarise your findings from this
study session.
Making Your Notes Useful
The purpose of making summary notes on a topic or section is
to aid your overall understanding of material, to help you distinguish between
what is really important information (depth) and what is merely
supporting detail. Reference to the main syllabus topics will help the
process of discernment within each subject.
In addition, good summary notes make retrieval of information
quicker and easier.
- Sort out your filing system
If you haven't already done so, get your subject folders and notes organised immediately. Invest in some ring binders, dividers, plastic pockets, etc. Have a separate folder for each subject (a permanent reference point) and then keep a 'current folder' for managing notes in progress. - Less is always more
When writing notes, remember they should contain a summary, not an extensive repetition of what is in the textbook. Don't crowd the page. Stick to main headings and sub-headings. Use abbreviations where appropriate. Try to reduce what you need to know on the topic down to one A4 sheet. Once you have an overview, it is easier to fill out the detail. - Make your notes visual
Ensure your notes have a memorable appearance so that you can recall them easily. Use illustrations, diagrams, graphs, colours, and boxes ('a picture is worth a thousand words'). Arrange the material in a logical hierarchy (title, sub-point, explanation, example). Ideally, you should be able to close your eyes in an exam and visualise a particular page of notes. - Beware of transcribing and
highlighting!
Merely re-writing the text from the book into your notes does not ensure retention. Try to put things in your own words and devise your own examples - this will make the material more meaningful. Only use the highlighter pen AFTER you have previewed and questioned a text, thus ensuring you identify the most important material and you avoid the creation of a fluorescent textbook! - 'Save' your notes
carefully
Practice following the logic of your computer files, when storing information. Think - "Where does this material best fit (subject, section, topic, sub-topic, etc.)?" In this way, you will ensure that it is efficiently processed and easily retrieved both physically (during revision) and mentally (when you need it in an exam).
Improving Memory
We often blame our memory for poor academic performance
("I'm no good at remembering names / dates / rules / verbs /
characteristics") when really we should be addressing our faulty input and
storage system. There is a big difference between short-term and long-term
memory. If you study a topic one night and can recall most of it the next
morning, don't be fooled into thinking that you will be able to remember it
accurately in two months time.
If the goal is to improve your long-term memory, then the key
to success is based on the efficiency of input (the 'mental filing system' we
employ). Reducing the burden on the limited short-term memory, and channelling
information into long-term storage, is based on the creation of patterns and
the avoidance of randomness.
- 'Chunking': as the
average person can only hold seven 'items' in short-term memory, grouping
items together into 'chunks' can increase capacity. This is generally used
for remembering numbers (think of how you remember phone numbers by
grouping the seven digits into 2 or 3 chunks) but can be applied to other
listings in various subjects.
- Repetition: Studies
indicate that 66% of material is forgotten within seven days if it is not
reviewed or recited again by the student, and 88% is gone after six weeks.
Don't make life harder for yourself - build in a brief daily and weekly
review of material covered. It will save you having to re-learn material
from scratch!
- Application and association: The best way
to channel material to long-term memory is to organise it into meaningful
associations. Link it to existing information and topics and create vivid
personal examples which act as 'mental hooks' or 'cues' for recalling
material in the future. Thus, new items are put in context. If you learn a
new formula / verb / rule, try to put it into practice immediately with a
relevant example.
- Use of mnemonics: these are various word games which can act as memory aids and which allow personalisation and creativity. Think of stalagtites (come down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (go up from the ground); the colours of the rainbow - Roy G. Biv ('Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain' to remember red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet); the seven characteristics of living organisms - Mr. Grief (Movement, Reproduction, Growth, Respiration, Irritability, Excretion, Feeding). You can devise many more of these to aid your personalised recall of items in your subjects.
Looking over a topic every now and then will help to keep it in the memory, taking away the need to cram before exams.
Make a summary of the work and look over it ten minutes later, the next day, the next week and then the next month for a few minutes each time. This reinforces the knowledge learned.
Understanding increases as time spent studying passes. However, the ability to recall things being memorised becomes progressively less efficient as time passes in a study session.
20 minutes is needed for the mind to get into the rhythm of and flow of the material. Any more than 40 minutes spent memorising means that memory declines to a point where it is no longer valuable.
The answer in revision lessons therefore is to do 30 minutes with a 5-minute stretch break and then review the topic.
After
a one hour memorising session: 10 minutes later revise the topic for 10 minutes 1 day later revise the topic for 5 minutes 1 week later revise the topic for 2-5 minutes 1 month later revise the topic for 2-5 minutes Before exams revise the topic as required. Each time knowledge is reinforced; it enters
deeper into the long-term memory and becomes more stable.
Practising Output
To prepare for an exam, you must practice doing what
the exam requires you to do; giving out information, not taking it in! This
applies to regular class tests as well as the final exams.
Prior to June, you will probably have had the benefit of many class tests and
some modular exams where the GCSE conditions are simulated for your
benefit – you can learn a lot by reflecting honestly on your performance in
these tests. You also have the benefit of a wealth of freely available
information about the exams. Past exam papers, marking schemes, study guides
and examiners reports are all there to be used.
- Make use of past papers
These should be your constant companion in all revision tasks. For each topic you revise, consult the past questions on this subject and then attempt answers to them. Check your answers, fill in the 'knowledge gaps' where necessary, and file away the correct 'model answer' in your notes for future reference. You will also start to notice any trends in the questions asked. - Follow the marks
Marking schemes are an invaluable aid to exam preparation (available online from DfES, AQA, etc). You can see how the marks are allocated for each question on the paper and what quantity or style of answer is required in each case. This knowledge will greatly inform your revision work and helps to remove the mystique of the exam.
Try a dress rehearsal
Each exam paper contains its own particular structure and challenge, with
varying emphasis on answering style and depth. While much of your ongoing
revision will be based on individual topics and questions, it is a very useful
exercise to tackle an exam paper in its totality (at least once before June).
It forces you to consider your strategy – the questions you will want to
attempt or avoid, the issues of timing, the number of points you will need to
make in each part of a question. Having performed this exercise a couple of
times, your confidence levels rise as you fix on your strategy for the exam and
realise that there can't be any major surprises for you in your exams.
The Examiner's View
You can largely determine the end result by simply heeding the voice of
experience. The job of examiners is to give you marks, not to take them away,
but they are powerless to help you if you fall into the most common traps.
These are the biggest pitfalls they have identified:
- Not reading the paper correctly
Examiners say that this is one of the most regular and fatal errors. They call it the 'triggered answer'. You have your pre-prepared answer ready but you don't look at the exact terms of the question and therefore supply the wrong information in your answer. - Not finishing the paper
Mismanaging your time within the exam can easily cost you a full grade. The biggest exam 'crime' is to leave suitable questions unattempted. Remember: it is much easier to get the first 20% of the marks for any question than the last 5%. Therefore, if you find yourself stuck for time as you struggle through your third answer out of five, do not spend your remaining time extending and perfecting that answer. Instead, move on to questions four and five, even if your attempt is sketched or in point form. If you have answered only three questions instead of five, the highest mark you can get is 60%. - Ignoring the marking scheme
You must take the marking scheme into account when you allocate time to each question or part of a question. If the marks allotted to a question clearly indicate that a few paragraphs are sufficient, do not write an essay on the subject. Avoid the temptation of writing everything you know about a topic – just give the appropriate amount of information. - Repetition
Make the point once. There are no extra marks for restating facts, even if you phrase them differently. Examiners say repetition is a very common mistake. It is also a time-waster and an irritant. - Missing part of a question
Sometimes, part of a question can be carried onto the next page and, in the pressure of the moment, you don't see it. As a consequence you might fail to do a compulsory part of a question or miss out on the chance to take an option that would have suited you better. Always take time to familiarise yourself with the whole paper before you start answering it. - Irrelevant quotations
In literary subjects, don't use irrelevant quotations you may have learned off, as it only irritates the examiner. - Rough work
Include your rough work with your exam script – you might get some credit for formulae or calculations contained therein.
Performing on the Day
- Get a good night's sleep
While the temptation is to stay up half the night 'cramming' in more facts and figures, the evidence suggests this approach is counter-productive. In the context of a two-year course, an extra night's studying can make very little difference to your knowledge. However, having a mind that is refreshed, alert, and ready to respond to circumstances will obviously be of far greater benefit. - Arrive in plenty of time: To perform
well on the day, you need to be relaxed and to feel in control of the
situation. This is difficult to achieve if you have missed breakfast and
are stuck on a bus in traffic or standing on a train for 45 minutes as the
exam time approaches. You will need about 15 minutes 'quiet time' to
mentally rehearse your exam and run through your 'game plan' for the final
time.
- Have your equipment ready
Each exam has its own requirements. Apart from properly functioning pens, pencils, rulers, etc, you may need a calculator for the Maths or Science exam. Drawing pencils may be required for diagrams in some subjects. A lot of nervous energy can be expended on last-minute hassle if these items aren't checked in advance. - Think
positive
On the day of the exam, remind yourself of the good things (the material you know well, the revision you have completed, all the past exam questions done, the good grades achieved) rather than dwelling on areas of weakness. Having that self-belief will give you the confidence to trust your judgement within the exam hall and 'hit the target'. - Maintain your focus
There can be a lot of tension, drama, and hysteria in the air on the days of an exam. You want to keep the balance between maintaining your focus and interacting normally with your friends and classmates. Try finding a quiet spot far from the madding crowd to 'warm-up' before each exam and 'warm-down' afterwards. Surround yourself with people who are likely to add to the calm rather than add to the clamour. - Beware of post-exam analysis
The more you participate in the exam post-mortem, the more confused and disheartened you are likely to become. You can't change what has happened, you can only focus on the present and this will need your full attention.
Top Tips on Exam Strategy
Success in exams involves
two ingredients - having a thorough knowledge of the subject matter AND making
the most of your knowledge in the exam through effective answering technique.
Two students with identical knowledge and attainment levels can sit the same
exam and their final grades can differ by as much as 25%. The difference is
down to having an effective strategy and exam technique.
Here are four golden rules to
apply to all your GCE papers:
- Allow time to read the paper carefully
The importance of reading the paper carefully and choosing your questions wisely cannot be emphasised enough at this stage. The natural inclination is always to start writing immediately and launch into a favoured topic. Resist the urge. Take your time. Be smart and size-up the paper before answering. - Stick to your game plan
An overall strategy should have emerged from your revision and exam preparation in each subject. This covers the areas you will tackle, the topics you will avoid if they appear on the paper, the sequence in which you will tackle the various sections, the style of answering you will employ in each subject, the amount of time you will allocate to answering each section. In some cases, this plan will work like a dream but there will always be surprises to deal with in some papers. Don't get flustered. Stick to your game plan, trust your judgement, and move on. - Sweep up any mistakes
In the pressure of the exam hall, it is easy to make elementary errors. These will sometimes have the potential to lose you a lot of valuable marks. Misreading the instruction on a question can render an entire answer invalid. You might have known the correct answer, but you didn't put it down. A simple miscalculation can lose you valuable time as you try to figure out the balancing item. Be disciplined with your time. Always leave a few minutes at the end to tidy-up errors. Simply changing a definition / formula / calculation at this stage could be the difference between a good and an average grade. - Attempt all questions
It is amazing how many exam scripts are handed up unfinished. Every year, capable students who just didn’t get time to finish the paper lose easy marks. Don't fall into this trap. Work on the basis that you will get an answer written for the required number of questions. Remember that it is much easier to get the first 20% of the marks for any question than the final 5%. You can always polish an answer further but, if there is no attempt made at part of a question, the examiner can't give you any marks. BUT if the instructions on the front of the paper tell you to answer a certain number of questions – stick to this - don’t answer too many!
Some
key terms used in
examination
questions
Account for
|
Discuss Explore the
subject by looking at its advantages and disadvantages (i.e. for and
against). Attempt to come to some sort of judgement. |
|
Analyse Explore the
main ideas of the subject, show they are important and how they are related. |
Distinguish Explain the
difference. |
|
Calculate Find out
using mathematics. |
Enumerate Make a list
of the points under discussion. |
|
Comment on Discuss the
subject, explain it and give an opinion on it. |
Estimate Guess the
amount or value. |
|
Compare Show the
similarities (but you can also point out the differences). |
Explain Describe,
giving reasons ad causes. |
|
Complete Finish off. |
Express Put the ideas
into words. |
|
Conclude Decide after
reasoning something out. |
Evaluate Give an
opinion by exploring the good and bad points.
It’s a bit like asking you to assess something. Attempt to support your argument with
expert opinion. |
|
Concise Short and
brief. |
Factors The fact or
circumstances that contribute to a result. |
|
Contrast Show the
differences ~ compare and contrast questions are very common in exams – they
want you to say how something is similar and how it may be different too. |
Give an
account of Describe. |
|
Criticise |
Give
reasons for Use words
like because in your answer as you will be explaining how or
why something is that way. |
|
Define Give the
meaning. This should be short. |
Identify |
|
Describe Give a
detailed account. |
Illustrate
|
|
Differentiate Explore and
explain the difference. |
Indicate
Point out,
make something known. |
Interpret
|
Relate
|
Justify
|
|
List
|
Summarise
|
|
Outline |
Trace
Show how
something has developed from beginning to end. |
Prove
|
Answering Exam Questions
1. Scan all the questions.
2. Mark all the questions you could answer.
3. Read these questions carefully.
4. Choose the correct number of questions in each section.
5. Decide on an order: best answers first.
6. Divide up your time, allowing more time for the questions with the most marks.
7. Underline the key words in the question.
8. Plan your answer.
9. Stick to the point of the question.
10. Write your answer.
11. Use the plan at every stage – e.g. every paragraph.
12. Check your answer against the plan. Look out for mistakes.
13.
If you have time, re-read the questions and
your answers and make any necessary corrections.
Dealing With Distractions
- "I just start daydreaming"
Become an active learner. Always work with a pen and paper. Focus on a specific task, not a specified time for your study. - "I can't focus because I'm anxious
about the exams"
Try to limit yourself to your immediate concerns, the things you have some control over (preparation for the upcoming revision test) rather than the things you cannot determine (like what questions the examiners will choose for this year's English Lit paper.) - "I often fall asleep when I'm
supposed to be studying"
Try to get to bed on time over the coming weeks. A tired brain is very unproductive. Get some genuine rest at the weekend. Be sure to get regular exercise, even just a walk around the block at night to clear your head. - "I'm constantly interrupted by other
people"
Study in the location most likely to offer peace and quiet. Ask for consideration from family members over the final run up to exams. Never have a TV, phone, computer game, or music system within arm's reach while you are trying to work. Make a rule of not taking phone calls within certain defined periods. - "I keep thinking of other things
while I'm studying"
Divide the study session into smaller, short-range goals which demand your full attention e.g. vocabulary or poetry test. Keep a 'reminder pad' beside you, a little notebook to jot down something that strikes you (someone to call, a job to do, etc.) and deal with it after the study period. Having made a note of it, you can more easily re-focus on your work.
Healthy Body = Healthy
Mind
Food
for thought
Eating a variety of healthy foods doesn't just give your body a boost, it also
benefits your brain cells. Skipping meals may well give you extra cramming
time, but it can also leave you hungry and unable to concentrate, So, eat regularly
and sensibly. Think wholemeal sandwiches and fruit, rather than cakes and
biscuits!
Brain
Fuel
- Bread,
pasta, cereals and potatoes are filling and packed with starchy
carbohydrates, which release energy slowly, meaning you can keep going for
longer.
- Fruit and vegetables give you
essential vitamins and minerals. Aim for at least five portions a day.
- Food like pasties, chips and
crisps are high in fat. Unless you want to emerge from your room looking
like Jabba the Hut, keep them for treats.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
Dehydrated brains don't think clearly and water is healthier than sweet,
fizzy drinks.
- Meat, fish, pulses, milk and
dairy foods are good sources of protein. Moderate amounts are essential
for a healthy diet.
- Make sure you eat breakfast on
the day of an exam.
· If you’re not getting enough iron then you’ll damage your ability to concentrate for long periods of time and your energy levels will begin to drop. If hour long sessions of revision are proving too much, try eating more red meat, eggs and leafy green vegetables like spinach.
Exercise: Staying
in your room can seem like the best option when revision time is short. But a
bit of the great outdoors can blow the cobwebs away and help you relax. If you
can't get out, at least get up and out of your chair for a stretch and a
wander. Better still, go for a swim or put those footie boots on and give your
mind and body a workout.
GOOD LUCK!
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