7 Tried And Tested Revision Techniques For You To Try!
With A-levels and GCSEs around the corner, it is time to get up to speed on the most effective studying techniques out there. Not all methods mentioned below will suit your learning style, so it’s important to choose the best one for you. The revision techniques below can be used either alone, or in conjunction with each other so feel free to combine them where appropriate.
The Pomodoro Technique and the Feynman Technique are two of the most popular revision techniques for A-levels and GCSEs exam preparation. Both techniques can help students improve their learning styles, manage exam anxiety, achieve better exam results, and pursue their desired career paths after graduation.
The Pomodoro Technique involves breaking up study sessions into focused 25-minute intervals, followed by a short 5-minute break, with longer breaks after every four intervals. This technique can help students with time management and stress management, as it encourages effective studying while also allowing for necessary study breaks. This technique can be particularly effective for students who struggle with concentration techniques, as it allows them to focus their attention for short periods of time, and then take a break to refresh their minds. To make the most of the Pomodoro Technique, it is important for students to make use of effective study tips like note-taking, using flashcards, and practising self-testing. Additionally, students should make use of online resources and revision guides, and may benefit from studying in groups or seeking tuition. By using these study tips and effective revision techniques, students can achieve their desired exam results and prepare for their future career paths.
On the other hand, the Feynman Technique involves teaching a concept to someone else as a means of elaboration and active recall. This technique can be helpful for subject-specific revision, such as maths revision, history revision, biology revision, and other exam subjects. The Feynman Technique has been scientifically proven to help students improve their memorisation and retrieval practice skills, as well as their ability to explain complex ideas to others. To make the most of the Feynman Technique, students should first take notes on a topic, then attempt to explain it to someone else without referring back to their notes. This process helps students identify any gaps in their understanding of a topic and improve their learning styles. Additionally, students can use other effective revision techniques like past papers, mock exams, and mind maps to reinforce their understanding of the topic.
Overall, the Pomodoro Technique and the Feynman Technique can both be highly effective for A-levels and GCSEs exam preparation. These techniques provide a range of effective study tips and revision techniques, including active recall, spaced repetition, and interleaving, as well as visual aids, dual coding, and metacognition. Additionally, these techniques can help students manage exam anxiety and stress, and improve their concentration and learning styles. By making use of these revision techniques, students can achieve their desired exam results and prepare for their future career paths. Whether it is through the use of the Pomodoro Technique or the Feynman Technique, students should aim to make their exam preparation as effective as possible, making use of all available study tips and revision techniques to achieve their goals. With the right combination of effective revision techniques, students can achieve great success in their A-levels and GCSEs, and prepare themselves for a bright future ahead.
When it comes to revising for A-levels and GCSEs, there are many different note-taking techniques you can use to help you memorise and retain information. Mind maps, chunking, mnemonics, and blurting are just a few of the methods that can be particularly effective for revision.
Mind maps are a visual way of organising information. Start by writing the central idea or topic in the centre of the page and branch out to related concepts, creating a spider web-like diagram. Mind maps can help you see connections between ideas and remember information more easily. They can be particularly useful for visual learners, as they provide a way to see information in a different way.
Chunking is another technique that can help you remember information more easily. Instead of trying to memorise long lists of information, break it down into smaller chunks. For example, instead of trying to remember a long list of dates, break it down into groups of five or ten and memorise them in smaller groups. This can make it easier to remember the information as it is more manageable.
Mnemonics are memory aids that help you remember information by associating it with something else. For example, to remember the order of the planets in our solar system, you might use the mnemonic "My very eager mother just served us nine pizzas" to remember Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Mnemonics can be particularly useful for remembering lists or sequences of information.
Blurting is a technique where you write down everything you know about a topic without stopping to think or edit. Essentially, you just write or scribble everything that comes to mind about a certain topic on a piece of paper. This can help you get your thoughts down and identify areas where you need to focus your revision. Once you have written down everything you know, you can go back and organise the information into a more structured format.
When using these techniques, it is important to consider your learning style. Everyone learns differently, so it is important to find a technique that works best for you. If you are a visual learner, mind maps and visual aids may be particularly effective. If you are an auditory learner, recording yourself speaking the information may be helpful. If you are a kinesthetic learner, you may benefit from taking breaks and moving around during revision sessions.
Effective time management is also important when using these techniques. Set aside dedicated revision time and break it up into manageable chunks. Use past papers and mock exams to identify areas where you need to focus your revision and prioritise your time accordingly. You can also use online resources, revision guides, and study groups to supplement your revision and gain additional insights. Stress management is another key factor to consider when revising for A-levels and GCSEs. Take regular study breaks, practise good sleep hygiene, and engage in activities that help you relax, such as meditation or exercise. By managing your stress levels, you can improve your concentration and retain information more effectively.