Planning your revision

Countdown to the exam

Revision checklists are a good way for you to plan and structure your revision. They also allow you to make sure you have covered everything you need to cover:

Revision planner checklist

Time before the exam

Things to do 6−8 weeks • Draw up a revision timetable so that you know how much time you have to get through everything. • Use the revision checklist on page 16 to work out which topics you need to cover. Look back at how well you did on past-paper questions or other assessments to help you decide what you need to work on. • Use the topic area headings and bullets to organise your notes and to make sure you’ve covered everything in the specification. • Don’t spend too much time each day revising; quality, spaced revision is better than studying all day, every day. 4−6 weeks • Work out which of the areas you still find difficult and plan when you’ll cover them. • You may be able to discuss tricky topics with your teacher or class colleagues. • As you feel you’ve got to grips with some of the knowledge, you can ‘tick off’ the parts that have been worrying you. • Make the most of the revision sessions you’re offered in class. Don’t skip them! 1 week • Make a daily plan to revise those few topics you’re not happy with and look back at your revision cards (see below) if you’ve made some. Day before • Try not to cram today – get some exercise and relax in the afternoon. • Make sure you know what time and where the exam is and put all your things out (pencils, pens, calculator, bus pass, water) ready for the next day. SAMPLE • Get a good night’s sleep!

Revise it!

Using the example above, create your own revision checklist. Identify areas that you are not so confident about and think of ways to tackle these.

Choose the methods that work for you

For example: • use highlighters for key words and phrases • make note cards • use mnemonics (the first letter of words): for example, ‘CDRIP’ stands for currency, decimal, real, integer, percentages.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Complete the ‘Revision checklist’ at the end of each chapter and identify areas that you feel less confident about. Allow additional time to revise these areas.

Stay healthy!

Exercise, fresh air, good food and staying hydrated all help your revision.

Don’t cram!

Plan to space your revision out so that you don’t do everything at once!

Take breaks

Plan regular breaks in your revision. Go for a short walk and get some fresh air. It will make you more focused when you do revise!

Learn everything!

Questions can be asked about any area of the specification. It is easier to answer a question if you have revised everything.

Variety is the spice of life!

Mix up your revision methods. Watch videos and listen to podcasts as well as making notes and mind maps.

Attend revision classes!

Don’t skip revision classes –it can really help to revise with your friends, as well as by yourself. Make a list of all the key dates from when you start your revision up to the exam date.

Find a quiet space SAMPLE

It can be difficult to revise in loud or busy spaces, so try to find somewhere calm to work. You could use headphones and music to block out distractions.