1. Maximise YOUR potential!
Coping with GCSE revision
A guide for students and parents

2. Why are mock exams so important?
They are an excellent trial run for the real thing in the summer.
They help students to understand and get used to the procedures, rules and expectations of external examinations.
Mock exam results act as a guide to “Estimated Grades”. These are sent to the exam boards before the final exam, giving them an idea of what grade you are capable of achieving.
If there is a problem during the exam, for example illness, the exam board may base their final grades on your Estimated Grade.
These grades will be considered when you apply for places in 6th form, college, apprenticeships, work placements etc.

3. Good results not only depend on what a student does at school, but also on what they do at home…
Try to provide a suitable working environment for your child to study in.
Show an interest in what they’re doing…maybe test your child on a particular subject.
Check what homework your child has and whether it is written in their planner.
Encourage and support your child in their revision at home.
Offer a carrot for success????

4. Marginal Gains
In the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, Sir David Brailsford, Performance Director of British Cycling developed the concept of ‘marginal gains’.
To improve an athlete’s performance, the athlete simply had to make a 1% improvement, but in a number of areas. When these marginal improvements were combined, they had a really positive effect on overall performance.
Taking this principle, and applying it to GCSEs, there are relatively simple marginal gains that can be made in many areas. When combined together, these marginal gains can make a real difference in improving grades.
Health, diet and sleep
Attend every lesson
Sit at the front
Take detailed notes
Presentation matters
Hit deadlines; complete homework, coursework etc. on time
Get organised; use a planner
Ask questions, get help if needed and always get feedback
Take advantage of the revision sessions on offer
Adopt a positive attitude

9. Using social networking sites while studying lowers grades.

10. The pen is mightier than the keyboard for note taking.
Students who made handwritten notes are proven to
perform the best.

11. This is a way of identifying key points later.
Highlighters
Develop a colour-coding scheme using highlighters key points in one colour, secondary points in another, etc.
This is a way of identifying key points later.

12. Know Command words
It is essential that you understand the command words otherwise you will trip up before you can show your subject knowledge. .
Check with your subject teacher for key words that might come up in exams.

13. Flash cards Just writing flash cards will help your recall.
You can test yourself when you have ‘dead time’ such as when you’re on the bus.
You can get your friends and family to test you. .

14. Mind maps
Preparing mind maps is an excellent form of note taking and revision.
Stick mind maps all around your room. .

15. Time yourself on past papers.
Download past papers from the exam boards web site or ask your teacher for hard copies.
Time yourself on past papers.
Do as many as you can and check them against the mark scheme.

16. Words are easier to remember because they mean something.
Numbers
A good technique for remembering numbers is to invent a memorable phrase or sentence.
Words are easier to remember because they mean something.

17. Speed of Light 186,282 miles per second
A dazzling sunray is flashing by.
A dazzling sunray is flashing by
A = 1
Dazzling = 8
Sunray = 6
Is = 2, etc.

18. How I Wish I Could Calculate Pi
How I Wish I Could Calculate Pi

19. Remembering dates Battle of Trafalgar 1805
A series of numbers means nothing and will blur together in your mind unless you can find a way to attach significance to them.
You could picture 18th birthday balloons all round the ship, and the captain and crew are ‘high-fiving’ each other.

20. Revision Websites Use revision web sites.
Test yourself on past papers available on line.
Look at the learner guides and video clips on BBC Bitesize.

21. http://www.studentminds.org. uk/exam-stress.html

22. Preparation is everything. Before you start your revision, check:
Make sure you have a copy of your exam timetable.
Know exactly when, where and how long each exam is.
Know what topics you need to cover for each exam.
Make sure you have all the notes, books and past papers you need.
Know what sort of exam each paper is e.g. multiple choice, short questions, essay based.
If you have any exam clashes on your timetable see Mrs Pearce as soon as possible.
Prepare a revision timetable.
Go to:
to prepare a revision timetable online.

24. INTERVENTION SESSIONS
Additional sessions are being put on all the time, so check with your subject tutors for opportunities currently available.

25. So, what comes after the mock exams?
Post exam analysis will take place in each subject to highlight areas of strength and those requiring further development.
Application forms for TB 6th Form towards the end of term (precise date to be confirmed).
Year 11 reports will be sent home after Christmas and Year 11 Subject Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 12th January 2015; 4:15 – 7:00
All members of Year 11 will have a guidance interview regarding Post 16 options with a senior member of staff after the Christmas holidays.

26. Please feel free to come and talk to me after the presentations
Mock Exam Timetables
Subject specific mock exam revision leaflets

27. GOOD LUCK Year 11!