Revision Tips

So one month to go before exam season begins.... Not long, but long enough to make a difference to the grade you can achieve. If you haven't done so already firstly get organised:

1. Organise your class notes for the units you are being examined on

2. Check you have covered all the material on your specification at least once - if not you need to catch up fast!

3. Familiarise yourself with the specification - you cannot revise if you don't know what the content is.

4. Write a revision plan - make it realistic, no-one can work for 14 hours per day. Break up revision into hour long focussed sessions with short breaks in between.

Once you have done this you can begin. Revision is personal, different techniques work for different people but very few people benefit from just reading the textbook. Revision needs to be active so you don't switch off and start thinking about what is on TV that night.. Some suggestions:

1. Make revision cards with concise notes or key points from a particular topic

2. Concept maps

3. Cards with questions on one side and answers on the other - someone may be kind enough to test you.

4. Colourful posters to stick on your bedroom wall with pictures of biological molecules on that you can look at when you are getting dressed each day

5. Make notes

6. Answer questions in your revision guide or textbook

Most importantly, in my opinion, is exam practice. Print off and do every paper that you can get your hands on. If you don't feel ready do them under exam conditions, use your notes to help you. Mark your papers, correct them and then annotate them with extra notes relating to topics. It is always worth looking at the examiners report to see where students lost marks - you can make sure you don't make the same mistakes.

Good Luck!