Revision strategies

Revision techniques for homeschoolers

Having some reliable revision strategies is key to exam success.

For many students worldwide, IGCSE and A level exam season is an extremely stressful time, but it’s important to remember not to panic. Whether you’re feeling confident or nervous, it’s vital that you revise.

Revision strategies allow you to practice quickly planning, writing and checking your work, improve your concentration skills and work out what you really know and what you need to revisit.

Here’s some tips to get you into the right frame of mind!

A Level practical exams

Our A level Science courses (UK only) have a practical element.

Joy-Anna shares her top tips for revision

Revision Strategies for homeschoolers

Get into ‘the zone’

Focus on the present and near-future and have a clear sense of purpose with achievable goals. Make sure you remain focused right up to your exams but don’t let yourself run out of steam before the day!

Be organised and make sure you devote time to all subjects.

Include regular breaks in your study schedule to keep your brain refreshed and alert.

Staying motivated

Mix it up to avoid boredom. Take a break, change subjects or topics, change your working environment, grab a nutritious snack.

Remember to pause for thought. Try practicing mindfulness daily. A 10-minute session is enough to refresh you.

Don’t get overwhelmed about how much you have to learn. Stick to your revision timetable and take it stage by stage.

Many people find it useful to write out revision notes, and learn from them in the lead-up to the exam. Others prefer to condense their notes onto index cards. See which you prefer best.

Revision strategies include a revision timetable

Revision strategies to try

Practise exam questions. Familiarise yourself with the terminology and types of questions in timed conditions.

Make sure you’ve read the syllabus at least once, and have learned all the definitions in the glossary that often appears at the end. Learn key words and phrases. Revision guides can sometimes be helpful for this.

Look around online and in books and journals to make sure your knowledge goes beyond the textbook, to get those higher marks.

Finally, try to stay calm and enjoy yourself as much as possible. Remember, although exams are important, learning is a lifelong process!