Best Revision Techniques For GCSE and A Level Exams

Revision techniques are essential for students who want to succeed in their GCSE and A Level exams. They offer a systematic approach to learning that makes the process less daunting and more effective. In this article, we will explore the best revision techniques for GCSE and A Level that can help you to retain information, understand complex concepts and perform better in your exams.

Associating and Mnemonics

Associating and mnemonics involve linking information to memorable images, stories, or phrases. This technique is useful for remembering key terms, formulas, and concepts.

How to use associating and mnemonics?

Acronyms

Create a memorable abbreviation using the first letters of a list or sequence.

Example: Use "PEMDAS" (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) to remember the order of operations in maths.

Rhymes

Develop a catchy rhyme to remember key facts or sequences.

Example: Use the rhyme "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" to remember the year Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Mental images

Visualise vivid images or scenes to associate new information with familiar concepts.

Example: Imagine an elaborate royal court to remember key figures and events during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Mnemonic devices examples for GCSE, A Level, and IB students:

• Mnemonic for order of operations in mathematics: PEMDAS - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
• Mnemonic for the stages of mitosis (cell division): "I Picked My Apples Today" - Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.
• Mnemonic for the chemical reactions of photosynthesis: "Hill-Dog COW" - Hill reaction, Dark reactions, Calvin cycle, Oxygen evolution, Water splitting.
• Mnemonic for the Great Lakes in North America: HOMES - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.
• Mnemonic for order of operations in mathematics: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally - Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).
• Mnemonic for the colours of the rainbow: ROYGBIV - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.
• Mnemonic for the order of cardinal directions: Never Eat Shredded Wheat - North, East, South, West.
• Mnemonic for the order of planets in our solar system: My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto (no longer considered a planet).
• Mnemonic for the classification system in biology: KPCOFGS - Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
• Mnemonic for the seven coordinating conjunctions in English: "FANBOYS" - For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual way to summarise a topic, organise your thoughts and create a clear overview of a complex subject. This technique is ideal for seeing how different topics and concepts are related to each other. By creating a visual map, you are more likely to remember the connections between topics.

How to use mind mapping in your revision?

Central topic

Start with a central idea and build branches for related sub-topics.

Example: Create a mind map for the French Revolution with branches for causes, key events, and consequences.

Keywords

Use keywords or phrases for summarising the main ideas.

Example: Write "natural selection" and "genetic drift" as keywords under the "Evolution" branch in a biology mind map.

Symbols and image

Include symbols or images to enhance visual memory.

Example: Add a symbol of a crown next to "monarchy" when creating a mind map of British history.

Flashcards

Flashcards involve creating cards with a question or key term on one side and the answer or definition on the other. This revision technique is ideal for remembering key terms, definitions, formulas, and concepts. By regularly testing yourself, you are more likely to memorise key information. They also help you to identify areas where you need to focus your revision efforts, as the process of making flashcards forces you to evaluate which information is most important.

How to use flashcards in your revision?

Question and answer

Use revision notes and write a question on one side and the answer on the other side.

Example: Create a flashcard with "What is the formula for the area of a circle?" on one side and "A = πr²" on the other side.

Categorise

Organise flashcards by subject or topic.

Example: Separate flashcards into categories like "vocabulary," "grammar," and "literature" for English revision.

Review regularly

Go through your flashcards daily or weekly to reinforce learning.

Practice Questions and Past Papers

Practice questions and past papers help to consolidate knowledge and identify any gaps in understanding. This technique is ideal for testing your knowledge and identifying areas where further study is needed. By doing this, you can discover your strengths and weaknesses within the topic and focus on areas where they need more practice and review.

How to use past papers in your revision?

Exam conditions

Attempt practice questions and past papers under timed exam-like conditions.

Example: Complete a past GCSE English literature paper within the allotted time without any notes.

Mark and review

Mark your answers using mark schemes and review your performance.

Example: After completing an A Level physics past paper, use the mark scheme to identify areas for improvement.

Track progress

Keep a record of your scores to monitor improvement over time.

Example: Maintain a spreadsheet to track your progress on past papers for each subject.

Explaining to Others

Explaining to others involves teaching the topic to someone else, either verbally or in writing. Explaining a topic to someone else forces you to understand the material at a deeper level and to put the information in your own words. It also helps you to identify areas where you need more work. This revision technique would be perfect for a study group. 

How to use explaining to others in your revision?

Simplify

Break down complex concepts into simpler terms for easier understanding.

Example: Explain Newton's Laws of Motion using everyday scenarios, like pushing a shopping trolley.

Use analogies

Draw comparisons to familiar concepts or situations to clarify ideas

Example: Compare cell structures to a factory when explaining the functions of cell organelles.

Ask for feedback

Encourage questions and discussions to deepen understanding and identify areas that need more revision.

Example: After explaining the water cycle ask your listener if they have any questions or need clarification on specific points.

Recording and Listening

Recording and listening involve recording yourself explaining the topic and then listening back to it. This allows you to hear your own voice, which can help to reinforce the information in your memory. You can also identify areas where you need more work and focus on these in your subsequent revision sessions.

How to use recording and listening in your revision?

Script

Prepare a script or outline before recording to ensure a clear and organised explanation.

Example: Write a brief outline of key events in the Spanish Civil War before recording an audio summary.

Use a conversational tone

Speak as if you were explaining the concept to a friend or classmate.

Example: When recording a maths concept explanation, use simple language and avoid jargon.

Listen regularly

Incorporate audio recordings into your daily routine to reinforce learning.

Example: Listen to your recording on the stages of meiosis while getting ready for school or during lunch break.

Active Reading

Active reading is a technique that involves actively engaging with the material by highlighting key points, making notes in the margins and summarising each section. This technique is ideal for revising textbooks, class notes and other written materials. By actively processing information, you are more likely to retain it.

How to put active reading into practice?

Highlighting

Mark essential points, key terms, or quotes in your textbooks or Save My Exams revision notes.

Example: Highlight the steps of the Krebs cycle in your biology textbook.

Margin notes

Write brief summaries or explanations in the margins.

Example: Jot down a summary of a key event from 'The Great Gatsby' in the margin.

Ask questions

Develop questions that encourage critical thinking.

Example: Ask "Why did the Cold War end?" when revising history.

Summarising

Summarising is a powerful revision technique that can help you consolidate your understanding of a topic. Writing a brief summary of the main events or key points after reading a chapter or studying a concept can make complex ideas more manageable. Summarising forces you to reflect on the information you've learned and select the most important parts to remember. It also helps you organise the information in a way that is easier to remember and recall during your exams.

How to use summarising in your revision?

Bullet points

Create a list of main ideas or concepts using short, concise statements.

Example: List the main causes of World War I in bullet points.

Headings

Organise your summary using headings and subheadings.

Example: Divide a summary of a chemistry chapter into sections like "Introduction," "Key Concepts," and "Reactions."

Tables

Use tables to compare and contrast information or to organise data.

Example: Create a table comparing plant and animal cells, listing their similarities and differences.

The Importance Of Effective Revision Techniques

By using revision techniques, students can actively engage with the material, retain information better, and identify areas where they need more practice and review. Additionally, these techniques can help students consolidate their understanding of complex topics, organise information in a way that is easier to remember, and test their knowledge before the actual exam. Overall, incorporating these techniques into the study routine can help students study smarter and revise more effectively.