As a student, exams will play a crucial role in assessing your knowledge and determining your academic success all the way through your time at school. Among what can be a stressful time, one key strategy stands out as your secret weapon to success: Revision.
In this blog, we will show you our 7-step plan to nail your revision process and excel in any exams you take, including the 11 Plus.
- Make a Revision Plan
Step one on your revision journey is to make a plan. This is so important to get you organised. Look at the time you have right up to the date of the exam and exactly how much time you can fit revision into that. Look at the content you have and set clear goals that fit the time that you have.
Breaking what you have to do into manageable chunks means you can avoid overwhelm and smaller sessions always look far more achievable. 20 – 40-minute sessions are ideally followed by short breaks to stay focussed. Be consistent with your schedule and make revision a routine habit; it won’t be a scary chore.
And make sure you tick off sessions when they are done to give you a real sense of accomplishment.
- Revision
Once you’ve made a plan for revision it’s time to actually revise. You know WHAT to revise, but what’s the best way to do it?
Look through your coursework and notes. Prioritise looking into your weaker areas of study, not just your stronger ones. Our easy to download revision books include a checklist and tips on how best to use time to revise. In partnership with Eleven Plus Revision Books, we have a variety of books from Maths topics to Vocabulary and Comprehension packs.
Don’t let revision get boring, you can use a wide variety of different techniques to revise and mixing them up really helps.
Try making new notes in a new, different way. You could use flashcards and carry them around with you to look at on a walk. Try recording yourself, voice or film talking about the subject or reading bullet points. Draw mind maps or use mnemonics or funny rhymes to remember facts. How about trying to teach someone else, a friend or younger sibling or even a parent, your subject?
- Do Past Exam Papers
Have a look at what you are likely to be facing in the exam and you might spot some areas that need more revision, or they might reveal questions that you weren’t expecting. Either way, you’ll go into the real exam with some extra knowledge by looking at some previous papers.
There are lots of examples online so have a browse and check out what questions have been asked before.
You can also start to book face-to-face mock tests. We are having one for Slough schools and West Midland consortium schools on the 4th of June. This is in partnership with one of the collaborators Heckmondwike Tutors. You can book it on their secure website.
- Practice
It’s great to look through notes and past papers to revise, but can you recall those facts under pressure in actual exam conditions? Practice with mock tests and you’ll find that you can.
There are lots of past papers for most exams available online and sitting down to do them in timed conditions gives you that valuable practice.
By engaging in past exam papers, sample questions, and mock tests, you familiarize yourself with the exam format, time constraints, and question types. This practice helps you develop effective strategies for answering questions, managing your time efficiently, and maximizing your exam performance.
Have a look at our Mock Test Guided course here.
- Look After Yourself
It’s not all about work. Taking regular breaks is the best way to make the revision you are doing a count and stick it in your mind.
Don’t forget the basics – eat a healthy, nutritious meal. Cut back on the revision snacks and look up foods that can be beneficial for those brain cells too like fish, green veg or nuts.
Sleep is very important, especially in the run-up to the exam. Nobody’s brain works at 100% without good quality, restful sleep.
Exercise. Get that body moving and it improves blood flow to your brain. This in turn fires up your neurones and promotes cell growth. 20 mins of exercise before studying can improve your concentration and help you focus.
Drink. Drinking water helps you to think more clearly and increases focus. Make sure you have a bottle always to hand.
Reward yourself. After the exams – treat yourself to something nice as a reward for all your hard work.
- Support
Don’t be afraid or worried about getting support. If you are struggling with concentration or worried about where to start, ask for help. Parents, teachers and friends could all point you in the right direction, help you answer questions and show you new techniques to learn.
Take a look at our amazing new course for parents to support their children while studying for the 11plus course. It’s full of ways to help children and support their exam journey.
- Our Top Tips
Use a variety of techniques to revise any subject.
Do bite-size sessions to avoid overwhelm.
Be organised with how you approach revision.
Make revision a daily habit.
Stay calm and positive – you can do this.
By planning ahead, getting organised and practising these revision techniques, you will enter your exam room with a complete sense of preparedness and confidence, enabling you to perform at your absolute best under pressure.
Remember, you cannot guarantee results but you can guarantee the best effort you can put in. Do what you can. Be attached to the process, and detach yourself from the outcome. Try again after you had a bad day or an unproductive time. Persistence matters more than motivation. Because persevering is something you can work at whereas motivation is external.
Good Luck and let us know any top tips that you use for your revision.