Five A-Level revision tips from the revision experts
by James Timpson (Submit your guest post to us and get published here)When it comes to you’re a-Level’s there’s no substitute for hard work and without revision you’ll put all your years of education to waste. If you’re worried about performing well in your exams, Justin Craig has constructed these revision tips that could help guide you in the right direction.
1. Create a revision timetable
Students will often revise without devising a plan. This usually results in too much revision on one particular topic and too little on others. Creating a revision timetable will help you structure and prioritize. For example, if one topic needs more attention than another, you may need to dedicate more time to it. Exam Time’s Calender Tool is the perfect platform for designing a personalized revision timetable and will allow you to colour coordinate all your subjects in a clear and concise manner.
Revision is a mental game. It’s vitally important to be mentally prepared for an exam as you can execute your answers with much more depth and analysis. By covering a host of subjects in an effective time period ensures you have the confidence going into the exams, preventing any stress or last minute revision overloads. The problem with revision is its perception. Students clearly perceive revision to be a time consuming exercise, however with a structured timetable and time on your hands, it allows you to socialise as well as study.
If you ever hit the revision wall, just take a break. |
2. Take regular study breaks
Constant studying is never a good thing. Take a five to ten minute break every hour, even if you don’t feel like you need one. The longer you study for the less you’ll take in, so if you ever feel like you’re hitting a wall, take a step back. Light exercise such as walking, yoga and even jiu-jitsu to channel focus which is also a great way to stimulate the brain and wake up if you’re feeling tired, and will make you feel more refreshed and motivated to work.
It’s vitally important to refresh the brain with activities listed above. Regular walking sessions is highly recommended as it can revitalise the body. ‘Hitting a wall’ is the common phrase when someone has encountered a revision overload occurrence and cannot absorb any more notes. It’s key to not push yourself so early on in the timetable as this can prevent you to persevere with the exercise.
3. Collaborate with others
A lot of people are fearful of collaboration because they feel self-conscious about their intelligence. Try not to worry and just remember that other people are more concerned about their own A-Level grades than yours. Collaborating is a great way to boost motivation and remain enthusiastic about revising. Study with friends whenever possible and test each other on a regular basis. Mutual encouragement is the perfect way to build confidence, which is half the battle in an exam situation. If you don’t have any friends you feel comfortable with, ask your family and teachers to help you. Most schools will have after-hours study programs designed specifically for those who want a bit of extra help.
Students will normally combine notes together to learn effectively together and both benefit from the exercise. Also, by undertaking this activity, students are introduced to new techniques from their colleagues and can learn from them as well. Isolating yourself from people in crucial revision periods could be detrimental to your development and confidence going into the exams.
4. Perform mock exams
Ask your teachers for past exam papers so you can get an idea of what questions will be asked. While the questions may not be the same, they’ll most likely be in a similar ballpark and are sometimes merely reworded. Make copies of the past papers and perform your own mock exam so you can get used to the pressure. If you do it with a friend, check and mark each other’s work. Perform two or three mock exams in the week leading up to the specific A-Level and you’ll no doubt see a significant improvement.
This method of learning is probably the most beneficial as you can familiarise yourself with the type of questions you will encounter in the exams. With a range of questions ready to be revealed on the day, it’s important to test yourself and adapt to the intensity of the papers. Furthermore, time-management is another important issue and by practising in exam conditions you will be much more comfortable undertaking the real papers.
5. Don’t revise too much on the day
While it’s okay to quickly scan your revision notes, don’t revise too much on the day of your exam. This will only increase your anxiety. Avoid socializing with friends who haven’t revised or have a negative attitude towards examinations; they’ll only put you down and make you feel unprepared. In addition, arrive well in advance; make sure all of your stationary is in order; eat a healthy breakfast; have a light snack beforehand; and use the toilet a few minutes before you enter the exam hall. The more relaxed you feel the better.
It’s important to remember that everybody has different learning styles and what could work for one may not work for another. Feel free to pick apart these tips and adapt them to suit your own personal style. Liked this post? Subscribe now to read more post like this one! Tweet
Thank You so much, I find it very useful.
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