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Preparing for a GCSE history exam can be very daunting. All those dates to remember, key people and don't even get me started on having to remember how to write the perfect answer, all this and you have to be able to do it in a silent hall under a strict time limit. What advice is there? Is there an easy way of doing it? Well, firstly the answer is no! Of course there's no EASY way but you can make it more enjoyable and ultimately less worrying.
Key points to remember (and act upon!)
* Practice makes perfect! As boring as they are, the more you complete practice exams the less scary they will seem.
* Familiarise yourself with the mark scheme. If you know what you need to do to get an A, you will!
* Find your best revision technique. I personally could not sit and read a revision book for hours on end, so during my exams my bedroom walls were covered with bright coloured posters about the American West. I have even encouraged one student with a good drawing ability to create cartoons of key events and individuals. Whatever works for you!
http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/vak_quest.htm Quick quizzes like this will help you discover what type of learner you are and help you pick a technique that works best for you!
* Learn the material! Seems obvious but dont skip parts, you never know if that will come up!
* Use whatever resources you can. http://www.johndclare.net/ There are a lot of key history websites out there that can help you. Check them out.
* When writing your answer, ALWAYS prove and explain your point. I've often told my students, 'if it helps, pretend the examiner has no idea what you are talking about and you really need to spell it out'. Get parents, friends, etc to read through your work, if they get it at the end, then you've explained your point well.
* Last but not least, ask for help! Dont be afraid if you are not sure, chances are you knew it all along but just needed some reassurance or clarity.
