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Planning
- Make full use of the syllabus lists in your notes. They
will tell you what topics you have to revise.
- Plan carefully so that you know exactly what you are going to
revise, and when. Make sure that you have all your notes
available so that you don't waste time hunting for the stuff that
you need. Plan around the things that are likely to distract you
- if you absolutely cannot live without seeing Brookside, include
it in your Revision Plan. Make good use of the VCR if needs
be.
- Be realistic about the balance between revision and social
life. Remember your priorities - a night spent clubbing might
seem terribly important now, but is it worth more than the
college place you are working for? You may also need to scale
down your commitment to your job - again, you may feel that you
need the pennies, but remember that all important college place!
Tell the boss at work that your exams are coming up, and try to
make sure that you don't spend more than the absolute minimum
stacking cornflake packets!
- Find somewhere quiet to revise. Make sure that you are
comfortable, and that the rest of the house know that you are
revising. Reassure them that you don't need to be checked on
every fifteen minutes - that friendly cup of tea will have a
detrimental effect on your bladder!
- Remember that tests have shown that you can only concentrate
for up to 45 minutes. Plan your revision in hour long blocks,
with the last 15 minutes for a bit of R&R. Don't stray too
close to a TV - you may find it hard to get back to work again!
You may find that music helps to block out the pathetic attempts
your family make to keep quiet!
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There is a page specifically for A Level
Revision - click here.
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When you revise, make sure that you are doing something. Make
notes, recite lines, set yourself tests, or write essays. Don't
just read, or your mind will wander.
Use the past exam questions that you've been given to help
you to practice answering exam questions. Remember the rules of
the exams, and try to stick to the times that you'd get in the
exams themselves. It should take you 45 minutes to answer an A
Level question, and 30 minutes for a GCSE question.
While you are revising, keep in mind the goal that you've got
for yourself. It makes it all seem worthwhile if you have
something to aim for!
Don't think that successful revision is based on time spent.
Be realistic about how long you can work on your revision, and
don't neglect your sleep.
Keep the last week before an exam clear to go over some of
the material again. Use the time to work on exam questions. Don't
be tempted to start a new topic.
Exam Preparation
- Make sure of the time and place for the exam. Know
exactly where you have to be, and when!
- Make sure you get to bed at a reasonable time. Have a proper
breakfast (but avoid the full english - the sound of your
digestive system struggling to cope with all that grease may
distract the entire exam hall, and will do nothing for your own
confidence!). Check the equipment that you need for the exam -
make certain that you have pens and pencils that work, and that
you have backups if you need them.
- Arrive with plenty of time to visit the toilet, but don't
arrive too early. You'll only get more nervous. Try not to
discuss the exam with your fellow victims. You'll probably manage
to convince yourself that you've revised all the wrong topics,
and that you are going to fail!
- When you are told to start the exam, read the whole paper
carefully. Note the instructions, especially if there are
compulsory questions to answer.
- If you find it helpful, leave a free page before each
question that you answer to make notes. This will help you to
plan your answer and to give it some structure.
- Keep an eye on the time - an analogue watch is best (one with
hands!), as it gives you an idea of how long you've got
left.
- Don't check your essay answer when you have finished it. Instead, check through to see if anything is missing before you write the conclusion. This will help you to see if there is anything missing and then tie together the various strands of the essay.
- Once the exam is over, don't carry out a post mortem on it.
Listening to your friends discussing what they wrote is only
likely to make you doubt that you have answered the questions
properly yourself. If you have more exams after this one, look
forward to the next. Only party once they are all over.
Remember your goal in all of
this. When you are safely established in the sixth form, or at
college, you'll realise that it was worth it.
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