How To Revise Effectively

At Nether Stowe School we promote learning and revision strategies that are proven to work. The internet is full of websites offering advice on how to revise but many can be misleading and unhelpful. The advice we endorse below is based on cognitive science (how the brain works) and is highly effective.

The 3 Rs of Revision

Refine it – Create a Plan   

Prioritise Your Work – Watch the video for support

Not all tasks are equally important. Learn to prioritise by tackling the most urgent and important tasks first. If you have a major test tomorrow but a small homework assignment due next week, focus on studying first. Setting priorities helps you feel less overwhelmed because you know you’re working on what matters most.

Take Breaks

It might seem like working nonstop is the best way to get things done, but that’s not true! Your brain needs breaks to recharge. Try studying for 25-30 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Get up, stretch, or grab a snack. You’ll return to your work feeling refreshed and more focused.

Study schedule

Deciding on what, when and how to revise is always best when you plan your time effectively, During the build up to exams the best way to do this is to use a revision timetable. The template below is an example that could be used or adapted to help plan your weeks. Add the subject and topic area to a session, decide on the key knowledge that will be the focus and revise it.  

Download a copy here.

Revise it – How?

Dual Coding

Mind Mapping  

Flash cards – use your Key Knowledge slides from each of the lessons you’re are being examined on.

Review it – How?

GCSE and A Level Past Paper

Key Dates

• Assessment Week 1 (Year 11 and Year 13): Monday 4^th November – Friday 15^th November
• Assessment Week 1 (Whole School): Monday 11^th November – Friday 15^th November
• Assessment Week 2 (Year 11 and Year 13): Monday 24^th February – Friday 7^th March 
• Assessment Week 2 (Year 7, 8, 9): Monday 3^rd March – Friday 7^th March
• Assessment Week 2 (Year 10): Monday 3^rd March – Friday 28^th March (Easter holiday 10^th – 21^st March)
• Summer Exams: Thursday 8^th May – Wednesday 25^th June
• Assessment Week 3 (Year 7,8 &9): Monday 16^th June – Friday 20^th June
• Assessment Week 3 (Year 12 Mocks): Monday 16^th June – Friday 20^th June 
• GCE Results Day: Thursday 14^th August
• GCSE Results Day: Thursday 21^st August

Useful Websites For GCSE Revision

Subject	Websites
DT	AQA DT Revision on Seneca Learning AQA DT Assessment Material on Seneca Learning
	DT Knowledge Organisers
English Language	Seneca Language
	Bitesize Language
	YouTube Language
English Literature	Literature Seneca
	Literature Bitesize
	Literature YouTube
French	Oak Academy
	BBC Bitesize
	Memerise
History	Seneca – American Expansion and Consolidation Revision Seneca – Health and the People Revision Revision videos – Conflict and Tension in Asia
Maths	https://corbettmaths.com/contents/
PE	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/ztrcg82
	https://www.teachpe.com/
RE – Religions; Christianity and Islam	https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/0daf5430-3329-11e8-ac6b-311801e0fd28/section/81df4750-4938-11e8-ae85-61ad98c87139/session RE Checklist- GCSE RS guidence
RE – Themes	https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/419cd464-5c51-4d08-b49c-d5325d6121c8/section/b667310b-f255-4f0d-810d-1513ece28e64/session
Science	https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
BBC bite size link	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8r997h
	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zpgcbk7
Biology	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsc9rdm
Physics	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8xtmnb
Chemistry	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8xtmnb
Art	Y11 Component 3 Activity 4 Client Portfolio   Y11 Component 3 Activity 2 Development Review