Revision Techniques
A guide to help students use proven revision techniques and provide a consistent approach to learning.
How to Revise: Getting Started
1. Think & Identify
Think about what you need to revise for each subject. Use your PLCs or notes to RAG rate topics (Red, Amber, Green) and focus on amber, then red.
2. Focus Your Efforts
Remove what you already know. There's no point revising what you're already confident with. This makes your revision time much more effective.
3. Plan Your Time
Quality is better than quantity. Create a revision timetable that includes short, focused sessions and regular breaks to rest and recharge.
4. Stay Motivated
Revise with friends, book treats into your day, and remind yourself why you're doing this. A positive mindset makes a huge difference!
Revision Techniques
What are they? Interactive quizzes on platforms like FROG, PIXL History, GCSE Pod, and Doctor Frost.
How do I use them? Choose topics you've rated as amber or red. Repeat them until you're confident, then revisit them occasionally. Keep a list of completed topics to ensure you cover everything.
What are they? A visual way to organize information, NOT just a spider diagram. Watch this 3-min video to learn how: How to Mind Map.
How do I use them? Draw your mind map, then look at it, cover it, and try to redraw or talk through everything you remember. Check what you missed and repeat.
What are they? Cards with a topic/question on one side and the answer/information on the other. Watch this guide: How to Use Flash Cards.
Method 1 (Self-Testing):
Read the question, say the answer, then check. Sort cards into green (correct), amber (nearly), and red (wrong) piles. Keep working on the amber and red piles until they all move to green.
Method 2 (With Friends):
Work with friends to question and answer each other verbally. This is a great way to make revision more social and fun.
Online Flash Cards (Carousel)
The science department uses a program called Carousel to test you regularly. A guide for parents is available here: Carousel 5 Top Tips for Parents.
What are they? Large sheets of paper (A4 to poster size) that contain many small pieces of information, like multiple flash cards on a single page.
How do I use them? Use them like mind maps: study, cover, and recall. Some departments may provide partially filled maps to complete after watching a video.
What are they? Exam-style questions, often available online or on resources like PIXL data sticks. They are great for understanding what examiners are looking for.
How do I use them? Complete the questions, then mark them using the provided answers. Identify what you got wrong and try to understand why. If you're stuck, make a note and ask your teacher.
What are they? Many departments have videos and audio files on FROG, such as MFL speaking files or course summaries. Example video: Exam Structure Video.
How do I use them? Focus fully while watching or listening. Afterwards, you'll usually be asked to complete a related activity like a quiz or practice paper.
What are they? Small sticky notes for writing key facts and sticking them around your room or house.
How do I use them? Group them into themes and place them in different areas. Walk to each area and try to remember what you wrote. This is great for active learners who don't like to sit still.
Subject Mats: Some subjects (like English) use specific question mats to help you structure answers. Learn the sentence starters and timings for each question.
Cornell Notes: An effective note-taking system for subjects like History and English Literature. Learn how to use them here: Cornell Notes Guide.
The Key Thing to Remember
If you try your best and are nice to yourself and others, you will do well no matter what.