Use methods that are best for you

Do you prefer to read or listen to notes? or even watch a video? A mixture can have great results

Try and find a revision method that suits you best. Here are some of our suggestions;

revision strategies.pdf

Strategy 1: Mind mapping

Mind maps are the ideal revision technique when trying to summarise large chunks of information.

• The most effective mind maps are 4 branches with 3 leaves per branch
• The central bubble holds the key topic and everything around it should be categorised into sub topics.
• Write exam questions in the middle and map out each paragraph.

Strategy 2: Flash cards

Option 1- summary cards

• Make a flash card about key topics
• The flash card should only hold 20% of the total information required
• Include key words and phrases only

Option 2- Q&A cards

• Add a question to one side of the card and the answer on the other side

Strategy 3: Revision clocks

• The clock helps you to break down a topic into 12 sub-categories
• Make notes in each chunk of the clock
• Revise each slot for 5 minutes
• Turn the clock over and recite back certain sections of the clock

Strategy 4: Graphic organisers

• It is important to be active in your revision
• Graphic organisers help you to reconstruct revision topics, making meaningful links and connections
• Using flow diagrams help you to break down a sequence of events 

Strategy 5: Cornell Notes   

• Cornell notes help you to precisely select and chunk information
• You could use this method when reading a revision guide or watching a GCSE pod
• Make the key notes in section 1
• Key memory cues should be added to section 2
• A summary of the information should be added to section 3

Strategy 6: Quizzing

• Quizzing is a fantastic technique that helps you to identify your knowledge and how much you’ve remembered
• Daily quizzes are very helpful for long term remember
• It’s important to keep reviewing the questions you got wrong
• Repeat the quizzes on a daily, weekly and monthly cycle

Strategy 7:Mnemonic 

• Mnemonics give your brain a ‘hook’ to hang a memory on
• An acronym mnemonic sees you abbreviate information by creating a word where each letter stands for something
• This will help to remember key information

Strategy 8: Knowledge organisers

• Knowledge organisers summarise key information for a exam unit.
• Ideally you should learn everything word for word from a KO by testing yourself using methods such as Look, Cover, Check
• You can also complete a past paper question using just the knowledge organiser

• This will train to use the key information and vocab

Strategy 9: Revision quilt

• Revision quilts hold lots of key words relating to an exam unit
• Identify which words go with which heading & colour code
• You can make this harder by creating your own quilt or by adding exam questions as your headings

General Revision Tips

• Use highlighters to identify key words- do not highlight everything.
• Create sub headings to organise topics
• Use a dictionary to find out the meaning of any words you do not understand
• When making notes use different colours
• Use abbreviations and bullet points to summarise topics
• Never copy information unless it is a quote you may wish to use

Whole School Resources: GCSEPod

One of the best resources that Hathershaw College provide is GCSEPod - a revision site with thousands of videos for a variety of subjects. If you log in to the VLE first and click on the link there, you will automatically be logged in to GCSEPod.

Useful Links and Online Revision Resources

We have asked all of our faculties what are the best external links to use for revision purposes. Please find links to these below, along with a pdf at the bottom;

 English Language