Many students ask, "If I pay attention in lessons, why do I need to revise?" While it's true that listening in lessons is important to being successful in your exams, revision will make the difference in achieving the highest possible marks. Lessons are structured to teach you the content in detail, then revisit the main ideas later to practice, but many students find that they forget the finer details of the initial lesson. These finer details can be the difference between a "pass" and a higher grade. Additionally, the needs of the class as a whole might differ from the needs of the individual student when it comes to revising, which is where at home, or after school, revision comes in! Dedicating time to target specific areas you know you need to improve allows you strengthen them at your own pace and in a way that works best for you. This also leads to greater confidence when it comes to the exams themselves. 

After all, you wouldn't take your driving test without taking any driving lessons and practicing the skills you need to pass!

The science clearly supports that "spaced out" studying is far more effective than "cramming", including one particular study which found that 90% of students who "spaced out" their revision scored better on their exam than their "cramming" peers, despite the fact that a majority of this same group believed that "cramming" worked best for them. (https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-cramming-is-worst-way-to-study.htm) 

Whether it's in the school library or in your bedroom, you need to find a dedicated space that works best for your study habits. It should be comfortable and distraction-free, but what that looks like to you is dependent on your own style. Traditionally, this should be a quiet place, well-lit, with plenty of room to spread out, and well away from anything that may distract form your revision (including your phone!). Apps like Flora (linked below) can help you focus by rewarding you for productivity and decreasing distraction on your phone. 

Scheduling your revision will help alleviate the stress of uncertainty and will ensure that you are revising everything you need and, when it comes times for mocks or exams, that you can revise in the order of your exams. There are many different types of revision timetables you can make, but if you'd like one ready to use, you can find copies of it in the Careers Pod of the school library. You'll also find a video on this topic below.

Below, you will find a variety of guides on how you can revise, including numerous different methods to revise. It is not the full list and it may not include the methods that work best for you. However, this is where you need to be honest with yourself - don't choose the easiest method, choose the most effective one! 

Also, don't forget about past papers! They are posted online for a reason and can give you an idea of the expectations for your own examinations.  BBC Bitesize has a great article about how to use these to your advantage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zx6nrwx

All students will feel some level of anxiety regarding their exams - it's a big deal! Your teachers, tutors, and heads of year understand this and are always happy to help. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out and ask for help from a trusted adult.