How to Prepare for IGCSEs: Revision Strategies That Work

Key Takeaways

• Start early, know your syllabus, and plan wisely: Begin focused revision 4-6 months before your exams, check your learning against exam specifications, and build a realistic timetable that prioritises challenging topics.

• Use active study techniques: Active recall (e.g. flashcards, teaching others and blurting), spaced repetition, and past paper practice are more effective than passive reading for memorising and understanding content.

• Track progress and prioritise your wellbeing: Regularly review your revision plan, adapt based on what works, and maintain good sleep, exercise, and mental health habits to stay focused and avoid burnout.

Worried about how to tackle IGCSE revision? You’re not alone. The large amount of content, pressure to do well, and fear of last-minute cramming can feel overwhelming. But with the right plan and revision strategies, you can stay on top of your subjects and walk into the exam hall feeling confident.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step revision strategies designed specifically for IGCSE students. From building your timetable to subject-specific techniques and wellbeing tips, here’s everything you need to know to ace your exam prep.

When Should You Start Preparing for IGCSEs?

The earlier you begin, the better. Ideally, you’ll start building understanding in Year 10, but focused revision should begin around six to four months before your exams.

Early preparation spreads out the workload, reduces stress, and helps you retain information more effectively. It also gives you time to identify and fix any gaps in your knowledge before exam season starts.

Step 1: Know Your Syllabus Inside Out

One of the biggest mistakes students make is revising without knowing exactly what’s on the exam. Your syllabus is your revision roadmap. Here are some steps you can take to get to know your syllabus in detail and start organising your revision:

1.    Download the specification for your subject. You can find these online. Make sure you have got the correct exam board and paper – if you’re not sure, check with your school/teacher. The specification sets out all the topics and content you could be tested on in your exams. If you know everything on your specification, you will be very well prepared for your exam.

2.   Using the specification and any lists from your teachers/school, create a checklist of all topics you need to know. If a topic is particularly long, break it down into smaller subtopics. As you revise, keep a record of each topic you have revised. You may need to revise more challenging topics more than once, so make sure to also record this progress.

3.   Review past papers and mark schemes to get to know your assessment objects. These will tell you exactly what examiners are looking for and how you can achieve maximum marks for each type of question.

Step 2: Build a Realistic IGCSE Revision Timetable

How to Structure Your Time

As you will likely be revising for multiple IGCSE subjects, it is essential to be realistic about how much time you have to spend revising each one and to organise your time. 

When creating your timetable, it can be helpful to break up your day into blocks, including breaks (e.g. 45-minute study sessions with 15-minute breaks between or the Pomodoro Technique with 25 minutes of study and 5-minute breaks between). 

You could also colour-code your timetable to help you keep track of your subjects and revision blocks. Having a 1-day break per week can also be helpful to give you time to relax and rest. 

When deciding what to revise when, it is best to be as specific as you can. For example, instead of just putting ‘Maths’ on your timetable, it is best to include the specific topic you’re going to revise in that block, like ‘Maths: Quadratic Equations’. 

It is advisable to spend the most time revising the subjects you feel the least confident in and your core subjects (English and Maths). Make sure to schedule time to cover all your subjects.

Tools That Help

Looking for tools to help you create a revision timetable and track your progress? Here are some useful tools for helping you schedule your revision blocks:

-       Calendar apps: Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Calendar

-       Timetables and task tracking: Canva, Notion, My Revision Planner

-       Revision resources and checklists: Save My Exams,Exam specifications  

Step 3: Use Active Study Techniques

Passive revision, when you just read and highlight text or copy notes from a textbook, can feel productive but usually doesn’t help much with memorising or consolidating information. 

Active revision techniques are more effective in helping you learn, memorise and effectively recall important information and concepts.

Active Recall

Active recall is when you revise information through testing your knowledge. This can be done through a range of methods, including:

-     Flashcards 

-     Online, oral or written quizzes

-     Redrawing mind maps or writing out bullet points out from memory

-     Blurting (when you revise a topic and then, without using your notes, write down everything you remember about it)

-     Teaching the topic to someone else and having them ask you questions about it

These techniques are particularly useful for learning new vocabulary and definitions, short facts, statistics and equations and real-world examples.

Spaced Repetition

Review information at increasing intervals over time (e.g., 1 day, 3 days, 7 days). can help you space out your revision sessions so content stays in your long-term memory.

Past Paper Practice

Past papers are another great way to revise. You can test your knowledge of topics by completing individual questions and using the mark scheme to check your answers are correct and meeting the exam criteria. 

To improve your time-management skills and exam technique, it is best to complete questions under timed conditions. 

Step 4: Tailor Your Strategy by IGCSE Subject Type

Science and Maths

These subjects rely heavily on memorisation and consistent practice. Focus on learning key formulas, definitions, and scientific processes using flashcards, mind maps, diagrams, or flowcharts. Once you’ve covered the content, practise solving a wide range of problems. Use past papers to build confidence, and time yourself to improve speed and accuracy under exam conditions.

English and Humanities

In these subjects, your ability to analyse, explain, and evaluate is key. Start by closely reading and annotating your core texts, such as poetry or historical sources. Create a collection of key quotes or case studies, and make sure you know how to use them effectively. To develop strong essay-writing skills, practise planning and structuring arguments. Use past paper questions and model answers to guide your approach, then write your own essays regularly to build clarity and confidence.

Step 5: Track Your Progress and Adapt

Every week or two, review your progress. Are you meeting your goals? Are certain revision methods more effective than others? Don’t be afraid to switch techniques if something isn’t working.

Mock exams are a great way to check your progress and get used to the format and pressure of real exams. Use your results to fine-tune your study strategy.

Step 6: Look After Your Wellbeing

Exams can be stressful, so it’s essential to take care of your physical and mental health. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. Taking proper breaks and spending time with friends or family can help prevent burnout.

Mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling can also be great tools to manage stress during revision periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day should I revise for IGCSEs?

This depends on your personal pace and how far away your exams are. A good target is around 2–4 hours per day during the main revision period. Always include breaks to stay fresh and focused.

What’s the best revision technique for IGCSEs?

Active recall, spaced repetition, and past paper practice are the most effective techniques. Try them all out and see what works best for each subject.

Can I revise for IGCSEs in 2 months?

Yes, but it is better to start earlier. With earlier preparation, you will have more time to revise your content thoroughly and practice writing answers under timed conditions. If you really only have 2 months to revise, the best thing to do is create a focused, consistent plan. You’ll need to revise daily, prioritise the most important topics, and avoid distractions. If you’re short on time, using efficient, active revision techniques becomes even more crucial.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for IGCSEs doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start early, use high-impact revision strategies, and stay consistent. The key is progress, not perfection. With the right mindset and tools, you can walk into your exams feeling confident and in control.