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STUDY SKILLS

CHIGWELL SCHOOL

Revision tips for students

When you’re preparing for GCSE, AS or A2 exams, sometimes it seems like you can’t move for revision tips.

And while most of the tips for revision you get offered are well-intentioned, it can be hard to sort the useful

revision tips from the useless.

To help you get off to on the right foot with your revision, we've created these useful revision tips. They are

equally valid for GCSE, AS and A2 exams.

Revision tip one: Plan your revision

It’s important to take a structured approach to exam revision, because it means you can be sure of covering

everything you need in the time available.

People who do not plan their revision often end up spending most of their time covering areas they already

know well. A proper revision plan will help you focus revision on the subject areas you really need to cover:

When creating your revision plan, work backwards from the date of your first exam.

Do you know what you need to do in each subject to help improve your grades? If not – ask your

teacher.

Allocate more time to tricky subjects/topics and areas you don’t know well. These will have the

biggest impact on your eventual results.

Be realistic when creating a timetable. You can’t spend every minute revising – build in time for

breaks and other commitments too.

Stick your revision timetable up somewhere and tell your friends and family about it so they can help

you focus on sticking to your plan.

Revision tip two: Create the right environment

When you revise at home, follow these revision tips to build surroundings that will help you revise effectively:

Try and set aside an area that’s just for revision. Avoid your bedroom if possible – you want to create

a space you associate only with revision.

Make sure your desk is lit well (with natural light, if possible) and in a quiet spot, away from

distractions like the TV.

Most people revise most effectively in a quiet environment. However, at certain times playing music

may motivate and inspire you.

Find a spot where it’s easy to avoid distractions. Turn your phone off, move away from the TV and

shut down your internet connection

Have everything to hand before starting. That means pens, pencils, paper, textbooks, exam papers –

anything you need to revise.

Use the school or public library.

Revision tip three: Think about your technique

Without the right revision technique, your meticulously-planned revision schedule and revision materials will

be useless. These revision tips will help you make productive use of every minute of your revision time:

Simply reading textbooks and notes is not enough for effective revision. You need to be active,

making notes and diagrams.

Short chunks of revision work best for most people. For instance, revise for 30 minutes, then take a

ten-minute break.

Use past papers, textbooks and syllabuses to work out what you should be revising.

Use a whole variety of materials: notes, textbooks, online resources – and create mind maps,

diagrams and posters.

Past papers are a really valuable way to test your knowledge. When you work through questions,

make sure you have the mark scheme too.

Go over material more than once, but leave a day or two in between. This will help reinforce

knowledge and fix it in your mind.

Revision tip four: Don’t overdo your revision

Push yourself too far and you’ll burn out, get tired or simply become less-effective. It’s important to think

about your mind, your body and when you perform best:

Take frequent breaks. Ten minutes off every 30 – 40 minutes is a good balance for most people.

Stay hydrated and don’t get too hungry. Keep a glass of water on hand, along with healthy snacks like

fruit and nuts.

Set a tangible goal for each day, such as learning 12 quotations. This will improve learning efficiency.

Small steps will have a big impact. You can’t do everything at once!

Remember your friends and family. Spending time with them will keep you stimulated and stop you

going ‘stir crazy’!

If things aren’t going quite to plan, don’t panic – just re-evaluate what you can cover in the remaining

time, and focus on what you can achieve.

Ask for help! Your subject teachers and tutors are always willing to help. Don’t panic in silence!

Constructing a Revision timetable – GCSE/A Level

Step 1

Write all your subjects down on a piece of paper.

Next to each subject write out the three/six units youhave studied.

Subdivide each of these units into topic headings.

Record these headings at the front of your notes.

Step 2

You will need to construct two timetables.

The first one you can see below will be for Schoolnights.

Highlight the topics – red, amber, green.

Start work on the red and amber topics.

Try not to set yourself unrealistic topics.

As you will probably have homework, aim to do oneand a half hours per evening.

Split the evening into 30 minute revision sessions witha ten minute break in between each session.

In an empty slot place one of your topic headings. Dothis over the whole of your timetable until you haveevery topic from every unit from every subject listed.

This may take you three weeks to get through so remember revision needs to be constructive as you willprobably only revise each topic a handful of times.

Step 3: The Holidays

Revision sessions should now be longer, 40 minutes is a good length.

You should aim to work for at least six hours (including your built in breaks).

Try to cover each unit at least twice in a fortnight.

9.00 – 9.40 9.50 – 10.30 10.40 – 11.20 11.30 – 12.10

Lun

ch

1.00 – 1.40 1.50 – 2.30 2.40 – 3.20

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Economics Religious Studies

English

Unit 1 – Religion and Human Experience

Unit 4 – Ethics

Unit 6 – Religion and Science

Kantian ethics

Utilitarianism;Mill, Bentham

SituationEthics

Natural Law

ChristianEthics andsources ofmoralauthority

EnvironmentalIssues –pollution,conservation,creation,responsibility

Medical Issues– abortion,euthanasia, embryo use, transplantation, allocation of resources

6.00 – 6.30

Bre

ak

6.40 – 7.10 B

reak

7.20 – 7.50

Mon Kant W.H. Auden Profit Margins

Tue Transport Economics

Pollution Jane Eyre

Wed Hamlet Markets Aquinas and Natural Law

Thurs Bentham Literary criticism

Supply and demand

Fri Price mechanisms

Mill Sylvia Plath

WEEK 1 (B) EASTER 1Monday 05/01/2015 Monday 30/03/2015Tuesday 06/01/2015 Tuesday 31/03/2015Wednesday 07/01/2015 Wednesday 01/04/2015Thursday 08/01/2015 Thursday 02/04/2015Friday 09/01/2015 Friday 03/04/2015Saturday 10/01/2015 Saturday 04/04/2015Sunday 11/01/2015 Sunday 05/04/2015WEEK 2 (A) EASTER 2Monday 12/01/2015 Monday 06/04/2015Tuesday 13/01/2015 Tuesday 07/04/2015Wednesday 14/01/2015 Wednesday 08/04/2015Thursday 15/01/2015 Thursday 09/04/2015Friday 16/01/2015 Friday 10/04/2015Saturday 17/01/2015 Saturday 11/04/2015Sunday 18/01/2015 Sunday 12/04/2015WEEK 3 (B) EASTER 3Monday 19/01/2015 Monday 13/04/2015Tuesday 20/01/2015 Tuesday 14/04/2015Wednesday 21/01/2015 Wednesday 15/04/2015Thursday 22/01/2015 Thursday 16/04/2015Friday 23/01/2015 Friday 17/04/2015Saturday 24/01/2015 Saturday 18/04/2015Sunday 25/01/2015 Sunday 19/04/2015WEEK 4 (A) WEEK 1 (A)Monday 26/01/2015 Monday 20/04/2015Tuesday 27/01/2015 Tuesday 21/04/2015Wednesday 28/01/2015 Wednesday 22/04/2015Thursday 29/01/2015 Thursday 23/04/2015Friday 30/01/2015 Friday 24/04/2015Saturday 31/01/2015 Saturday 25/04/2015Sunday 01/02/2015 Sunday 26/04/2015WEEK 5 (B) WEEK 2 (B)Monday 02/02/2015 Monday 27/04/2015Tuesday 03/02/2015 Tuesday 28/04/2015Wednesday 04/02/2015 Wednesday 29/04/2015Thursday 05/02/2015 Thursday 30/04/2015Friday 06/02/2015 Friday 01/05/2015Saturday 07/02/2015 Saturday 02/05/2015Sunday 08/02/2015 Sunday 03/05/2015WEEK 6 (A) WEEK 3 (A)Monday 09/02/2015 Monday 04/05/2015Tuesday 10/02/2015 Tuesday 05/05/2015 EngLang 13:30Wednesday 11/02/2015 Wednesday 06/05/2015Thursday 12/02/2015 Thursday 07/05/2015Friday 13/02/2015 Friday 08/05/2015 EngLang 13:30Saturday 14/02/2015 Saturday 09/05/2015Sunday 15/02/2015 Sunday 10/05/2015HALF TERM HOLIDAY WEEK 4 (B)Monday 16/02/2015 Monday 11/05/2015Tuesday 17/02/2015 Tuesday 12/05/2015 Bio 13:30Wednesday 18/02/2015 Wednesday 13/05/2015Thursday 19/02/2015 Thursday 14/05/2015 Che 09:00Friday 20/02/2015 Friday 15/05/2015Saturday 21/02/2015 Saturday 16/05/2015Sunday 22/02/2015 Sunday 17/05/2015WEEK 7 (B) WEEK 5 (A)Monday 23/02/2015 Monday 18/05/2015 EngLit 09:00Tuesday 24/02/2015 Tuesday 19/05/2015Wednesday 25/02/2015 Wednesday 20/05/2015 Phy 13:30Thursday 26/02/2015 Thursday 21/05/2015 Maths 09:00Friday 27/02/2015 Friday 22/05/2015 EngLit 09:00Saturday 28/02/2015 Saturday 23/05/2015Sunday 01/03/2015 Sunday 24/05/2015WEEK 8 (A) HALF TERM HOLIDAYMonday 02/03/2015 Upper Fifth Mock Exams Monday 25/05/2015Tuesday 03/03/2015 Upper Fifth Mock Exams Tuesday 26/05/2015Wednesday 04/03/2015 Upper Fifth Mock Exams Wednesday 27/05/2015Thursday 05/03/2015 Upper Fifth Mock Exams Thursday 28/05/2015Friday 06/03/2015 Upper Fifth Mock Exams Friday 29/05/2015Saturday 07/03/2015 Saturday 30/05/2015Sunday 08/03/2015 Sunday 31/05/2015WEEK 9 (B) WEEK 6 (B)Monday 09/03/2015 Monday 01/06/2015Tuesday 10/03/2015 Tuesday 02/06/2015Wednesday 11/03/2015 Wednesday 03/06/2015Thursday 12/03/2015 Thursday 04/06/2015 Maths 09:00Friday 13/03/2015 Friday 05/06/2015Saturday 14/03/2015 Saturday 06/06/2015Sunday 15/03/2015 Sunday 07/06/2015WEEK 10 (A) WEEK 7 (A)Monday 16/03/2015 Monday 08/06/2015Tuesday 17/03/2015 Tuesday 09/06/2015Wednesday 18/03/2015 Wednesday 10/06/2015Thursday 19/03/2015 Thursday 11/06/2015Friday 20/03/2015 Friday 12/06/2015Saturday 21/03/2015 Saturday 13/06/2015Sunday 22/03/2015 Sunday 14/06/2015WEEK 11 (B) WEEK 8 (B)Monday 23/03/2015 Monday 15/06/2015Tuesday 24/03/2015 Tuesday 16/06/2015Wednesday 25/03/2015 Wednesday 17/06/2015Thursday 26/03/2015 Thursday 18/06/2015Friday 27/03/2015 Friday 19/06/2015Saturday 28/03/2015 Saturday 20/06/2015Sunday 29/03/2015 Sunday 21/06/2015

WEEK 9 (A)Monday 22/06/2015Tuesday 23/06/2015Wednesday 24/06/2015Thursday 25/06/2015Friday 26/06/2015Saturday 27/06/2015Sunday 28/06/2015WEEK 10 (B)Monday 29/06/2015Tuesday 30/06/2015Wednesday 01/07/2015Thursday 02/07/2015Friday 03/07/2015Saturday 04/07/2015Sunday 05/07/2015WEEK 11 (A)Monday 06/07/2015Tuesday 07/07/2015Wednesday 08/07/2015

TERM-TIME 16:00-17:00 17:00-18:00 18:00-19:00 19:00-20:00 20:00-21:00 21:00-22:00

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thu

Fri

9:00-10:00 10:00-11:00 11:00-12:00 12:00-13:00 13:00-14:00 14:00-15:00 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00

Sat

Sun

HOLIDAYS 9:00-10:00 10:00-11:00 11:00-12:00 12:00-13:00 13:00-14:00 14:00-15:00 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00

Mon

Tues

Weds

Thu

Fri

9:00-10:00 10:00-11:00 11:00-12:00 12:00-13:00 13:00-14:00 14:00-15:00 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00

Sat

Sun

USEFUL REVISION WEBSITES

Subject Website

General www.s-cool.co.uK

www.revisionworld.co.uk/gcse-revision

www.gcsepod.co.uk

www.educationquizzes.com

www.getrevising.co.uk

Revision skills/grade

improvement tips

http://www.vision2learnforschools.com

Revision Help Site http://getrevising.co.uk Create your revision timetable here, for example.

http://www.revisionworld.co.uk

Biology www.maniacworld.com/shooting-sheep.htm testing reaction times

http://science.howstuffworks.com research website to find out how ADH

works

www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm videos of mitosis and meiosis

www.fao.org/english/newsroom/focus/2003/fmo8.htm arguments for and

against GMO’s

teacherscorner.net

www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_11/BL_11.htmlvirtual lab to

conduct experiments on effects of temp. pH, etc. on enzymes

www.DNAi.org/index.html Interactive activities on nucleic acids

www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/neurobiology.html

Animation on neurotransmission

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFG-aLidT8s Introduction to homeobox genes

www.plant-hormones.info/ plant hormones

www.youttube.com/watch?v=1968Wco1u0s&feature=related comparing

sympathetic and parasympathetic systems

Chemistry http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry

http://www.chemactive.com/igcse.html

iGCSE – bitesize – useful video clips and questions to check knowledge and

understanding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/

A level- chemguide, knockhardy, labskills (via Gateway) are all good to

check information and both labskills and knockhardy have some good

multiple choices. Chemgym costs but is good for quick questions on the

move.

http://www.chemguide.co.uk

http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci.htm

http://www.chemgym.net

Classics http://quizlet.com

Design &

Technology

www.technologystudent.com

http://www.mr-dt.com/

http://www.ergonomics4schools.com/learningzone.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials

http://www.the-warren.org/

Economics www.tutor2u.net

www.economicshelp.org

www.hsbcukeconomyexplained.co.uk

www.whystudyeconomics.ac.uk

www.bankofengland.co.uk

www.economist.com

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/economy

English http://www.englishbiz.co.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/

http://www.revisioncentre.co.uk/gcse/english/

Geography http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/Whats+on.htm

http://www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk/ks3-resources/introduction/

http://www.rgs.org/GeographyToday/Geography+Today.htm

http://www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org/

http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA%20GCSE.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/

www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/geography

www.revisionworld.co.uk/gcse-revision/geography

http://www.thinkgeography.org.uk/ReviseGeography/ReviseGeography/GCS

E_Geog.html

www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/gcse/revision.html

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/gcse/index.html

www.youtube.com (type in case study or relevant topic)

Government &

Politics

http://www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk/asanda2.html Large archive of AS

and A2 resources for all government and politics topics, across all exam

board specifications.

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/politics/ Blog, revision materials and

general electronic resources.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics

http://www.politicshome.com/ Politics news source

History http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history Nazi Germany

http://www.activehistory.co.uk/ username Chigwell, password olu54

http://johndclare.net/

http://schoolhistory.co.uk/

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/

http://www.mrallsophistory.com/revision/

http://www.casahistoria.net/GCSE_history_revision.htm

Maths http://www.schoolworkout.co.uk/GCSE.htm

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/maths

http://www.collinsrevisionapps.co.uk/ This is a link to an app you can

purchase for your iPhone to revise your maths.

https://go.chigwell-school.org/personal/dmorse/maths/default.aspx

http://www.mymaths.co.uk/

http://www.examsolutions.net/index.php

http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/

http://www.mathsnet.net

www.examsolutions.co.uk/index.php

www.mathcentre.ac.uk

www.mymaths.co.uk

Modern Foreign

Languages

French

http://www.languagesonline.org.uk

http://www.linguascope.co.uk (chigwell / Harsnett)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

www.vocabexpress.com (most year groups and languages from III Form to

UV are covered by our departmental subscription. Further details and

usernames/passwords available from Mr Coppell)

http://www.frenchrevision.co.uk/

Spanish

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/french

http://www.languagesonline.org.uk

http://www.linguascope.co.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french

http://www.frenchrevision.co.uk/

http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/french

www.espanol-extra.co.uk (Chigwell / 1629)

We also subscribe to www.kerboodle.com at A Level in Spanish, and

students have been issued with individual usernames and passwords.

Music http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/

http://quizlet.com

www.musictheory.net

Physics http://www.youtube.com/

search igcse+physics+edexcel. Short films by Ben Ryder

Psychology www.technologystudent.com

http://www.mr-dt.com/

http://www.ergonomics4schools.com/learningzone.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials

http://www.the-warren.org/

RS http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/

http://groodle/course/view.php?id=63 Logon on to Groodle for more links.

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/religious-studies

http://www.thatreligiousstudieswebsite.com

www.rsrevision.com/contents/games.htm

1) The Early Bird Catches The Worm

Yes, you may sigh at this over-used phrase your parents regularly fire at you but it really does work. Getting up

early means you make the most of the day and, if you feel you've done enough, you can take the evening off.

2) Set Yourself Realistic Targets

Make sure to set your own targets which suit your capabilities - not your friend's. There's no point in trying to

do 10 hours of revision a day if you know you won't, you'll only feel disappointed.

3) Exercise

Going for a jog - or any other exercise - is a great way to switch off and renew your energy levels. Your brain

may be tired but your body probably won't be.

4) Take Regular Breaks

Experts recommend every half an hour or so. Even if it's just getting up to make a cuppa, it gives you an

opportunity to re-focus.

5) Work Hard Play Hard

Ok, maybe don't play too hard, but planning to see friends or family on your breaks means you have something

to look forward to and means you can reward yourself for all that hard work.

6) Steer Clear Of Caffeine

If you simply can't survive without coffee, have a couple of cups in the morning and when you do get that low,

refuel with high-energy foods such as nuts. Having the full 8 hours sleep has been proven to increase memory

retention by up to 35%.

7) Eat Well

Resist that trip to McDonald's; fast-food will only make you feel sluggish. Stock up on brain-boosting foods.

8) Know Your Learning Techniques

Don't feel you have to join the revision group just because everyone else is. Some people just work better

alone. Think about the techniques that work for you – cue cards, mind maps, posters, Q&A sessions, websites

etc.

9) Keep Hydrated

We all know our brains love water. Keep a bottle of water by your desk and make sure you drink it regularly. If

you get really bored, add some squash to spice things up.

10) Ban Facebook/Twitter

"But why?" we hear you gasp in horror. How many times have you refreshed your homepage only to realise

there's no new updates as you've been glued to Facebook for the past four hours. It's distracting and it serves

no purpose.

Department Clinics

UV LVI MVI

Art Wed/Thurs 4-5.30 Weds/Thurs 4-5.30 Weds/Thurs 4-5.30

Biology Thurs 1.30-2.00 Thurs 1.30-2.00 Thurs 1.30-2.00

Chemistry Weds/Thurs 1.30-2.00 Weds/Thurs 1.30-2.00 Weds/Thurs 1.30-2.00

Classics/Latin Daily 1.30-2.00 Daily 1.30-2.00 Daily 1.30-2.00

D&T Weds 1-1.30 exam Weds 4.15-5.00 practical Fri 1.15-2.00 practical

Weds 1-1.30 exam Weds 4.15-5.00 practical Fri 1.15-2.00 practical

Weds 1-1.30 exam Weds 4.15-5.00 practical Fri 1.15-2.00 practical

Drama Individual Individual Individual

Economics n/a Weds 1.30 Mon 1.30 Tues 1.30 Thurs 4.15

English Thurs 12.30-1.00 Thurs 1.30-2.00

Mon 1.30-2.00 1:1 coursework tutorials with subject teachers by arrangement.

Fri 12.30-1.15

French Thurs 4.00 Weds 4.00 Fri 4.00

G&P n/a Weds 4.15 Weds 4.15

Geography Weds/Thurs 4.15 Weds/Thurs 4.15 Weds/Thurs 4.15

German Tues 1.30 Tues 1.30 Tues 1.30

History Weds 1.00 Weds 4.15

Viet A Tues 4.15 Viet B Thurs 4.15 French Weds 4.15

Thurs p8

Mathematics Mon 1.30 Set 1 Individual Set 2 Tues 4.15 Set 3 Individual Set 4 Individual Set 5

Individual Individual

Music Individual Individual Individual

PE n/a Individual n/a

Physics Tues 1-2.00 Fri 1-125

Tues 1-2.00 Fri 1-125

Tues 1-2.00 Fri 1-125

Psychology n/a Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs 1.30

Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs 1.30

RS Thurs 1.30-2.00 Tues 1.30-2.00 Mon 1.30-2.00

Spanish Fri 4.15 Fri 1.30 Weds 1.00

CHIGWELL SCHOOL