How to Revise

Prepping for examinations can be daunting. Having a clear plan of revision is the best step for success along with studying the units in this course. In order to pass your examinations you need to be organized and have a study schedule with breaks and snacks. Everyone has their perfect formula for studying but there are some tried and true techniques that I’ve found through my own trial and error that work perfectly.

Before we get into the best way to power your study sessions, I want to talk about the Pomodoro Technique. This technique enables you to focus on a task for a set amount of time minus distraction and then have a break using a ratio of 35/10, 25/5, 40/15 etc. For example, let’s say you’ve set aside an hour a day to study Biology. You can split that hour up into two pomodoro rations of 25/5. Study a certain topic(s) for 25 minutes and then have a 5 minute break and then repeat.

This technique helps you to put all your effort and focus into one tasks and allows for a break to check social media or grab a snack. Listening to music while studying has known to be beneficial as well. You also want to set clear objectives before each study session and check them off once you’re done.

Okay now let’s dive into the fundamental advise for revision:

• Keep a study notebook solely for revision for each subject.
• Make good notes. Underline or highlight headings and keywords so they stand out clearly.
• Learn and revise as you go. When you complete a section or topic, read it over and make sure you understand it. Take class tests seriously and make an effort to do well on them.
• Make your revision active and check back to see if you were right.
• Write notes from memory. Write the most important points and fill them in from memory.
• Prepare diagrams.
• Make cluster maps or spider notes. Center the main topic on a piece of paper or in your notebook and draw lines to other words connected to it and so on. You can see the pattern, add extra information, see the links and the shape of the map helps memory.

Getting Organized

• Again, Keep notes in a ‘revision notebook’ and keep all class handouts in a folder.
• At the beginning of each Unit in this course there will be a checklist of important vocabulary. When you decide on a topic to review, go through the checklist and write as many descriptions of terms as you can. Review the definitions to ensure you are correct but try to write as many from memory as you can.
• Now try to explain the importance and significance of the concepts and principles on the checklist. Checkoff the ones you can do and read through the lesson to find the others. Write notes to help you remember them.
• On the checklist are also diagrams you should be able to label and some you should draw for yourself.
• Again, write notes, then repeat them from memory, e.g. cover a section, then write or say it.
• When you have studied a whole section, refer back to the checklist and tick off each item you can remember thoroughly.
• To further test your understanding while revising and completing sections of this course, do the multiple choice and longer questions at the end of the section. Only look at the answers when you’ve done all the questions. Learn from your mistakes. Revise parts of the topic where you made errors or did not remember things.
• Then carry on to another section and do the same.

Making a Revision Timetable

This depends solely on how much time you have before your exams. While most students are sitting multiple exams within the same frame of time it is up to you to be organized enough to schedule adequate review time. Here is what is recommended for revision and completing this course. Remember this course functions as your study and exam review. So completing this course in time well ensure that you are ready.

• Best recommended time is 12 weeks before your exams. This course is designed to be completed in 12-13 weeks.
• Each school subject needs about 3 hours per week of revision time.
• Use a planner or diary to identify the blocks of time that you will spend revising and completing this course. (Take free time, special engagements and commitments)
• Divide each subject into 12 parts, one for each week.
• Then in your diary, record all the subjects you will study, several for each day.
• Identify revision sessions using the Pomodoro Technique. 30 minutes followed by 5 minute-break. Using this technique is much better for learning than trying to do a long stretch without a break.
• Then in the ‘Biology’ section of your diary record which sections of this course you will do.
• Then get started. Put ticks in your diary or planner as you complete each units and the questions.
• Include time for re-checking revised work.

Final Revision

• Once you receive your examination timetable, record the examination times in your diary or planner. Then plan to do the final revision of each particular examination beforehand: for example, this can be reading over your own revision notes.
• Closer to the examination you could also look at past examination papers to see which topics are often examined. You could also skim the relevant sections and even the model answer section of this course.

Special Hints & Tips

• Short revision sessions, with definite objectives, are most efficient.
• Keep your important handouts, papers, and notes organized and in one place.
• Choose a suitable place to study that is comfortable and void of distractions.
• Find your best time of day for revision.
• Vary the subjects studied.
• Start at the time you have decided.
• Later in the day, reread the notes you have made and skim the original information. Repeat this as many time as you can.

Examination Technique

When you employ these tips your revision will be supercharged enabling you to study actively and it will ensure success on the examinations.