How do I revise?

Revision is never going to be fun and interesting but when done right can really pay off in your exams. Remember revision should be an active process - test yourself, make notes, draw diagrams and flow charts and use past papers with the mark schemes. The aim is to ensure you really understand the material and that you can apply what you know to answer exam questions effectively.                                                                                                             


Below are some tips on how to revise. The best revision would comprise of a combination of these methods rather than just one method alone.
Specific information for each course can be found by clicking on the relevant tab for the year group who studies that course.

Past Exam Papers
Work through past papers but not as a test. Try the following method:

• Attempt to answer the question using your class notes, revision guide, etc.
• Check your answer against the mark scheme. It is worth looking carefully at the advice given about what is/ is not an acceptable answer. (Remember that using the mark scheme is not cheating. You are trying to learn how to answer exam questions and this is a really powerful tool.)

Drawing Diagrams
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. This is very true when revising. Try drawing and adding notes to a diagram of a process or practical procedure that you must know about, and including it in your revision notes. Do not just download pictures from the web – you will learn them if you draw them. You could always stick it on your fridge or bedroom wall. Examples of some useful diagrams are

• The structure of an atom
• Circuit diagrams showing how current and voltage change in series and parallel circuits
• DNA replication and structure
• Electrolysis of aluminium

Revision Cards
You could purchase a pack of blank postcards from any stationers or supermarket and write your revision notes or diagrams on these. These can then be taken anywhere (e.g. on a bus, in a doctor’s waiting room, etc) so that you can make the most of any spare time that you have.

Online Revision/Homework Site
If you are in Years 7-11, you have access to the Kerboodle site that has a large number of activities that you can do in your spare time. These will be marked instantly so that you can see your progress. More information about this can be found by clicking on the 'Years 7, 8 & 9 and 'Years 10 & 11' tabs on the menu on the left.

Websites
Websites can also be a valuable source of revision material, quizzes and exam question practise. Here are some revision sites we recommend:

BBC Bitesize: Biology
BBC Bitesize: Chemistry
BBC Bitesize: Physics
S-cool revision
Doc Brown's Science