1. S4 PSE Overcoming Barriers to successful study Exam Tips
Understanding the Exam Question

2. Overcoming Barriers to revision – Activity 1
Brainstorm factors that can prevent you or other pupils from being able to revise or learn effectively.

3. Activity 1 continued - Overcoming barriers to revision
One person should be the advisor and the other the student.
The student should choose 2 barriers to revision that they have come up with and the advisor should give advice on how to overcome these barriers.
Swap roles

4. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Revision
Poor organisation
Confusing notes to revise from
Nowhere to revise
Study timetables/action plans/to do lists
Use bbc bitesize/how to pass revision books/ask teacher for clear set of notes
Find a small area that can be used as personal study space/use the local library

5. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Revision
Thinking you cant do it
Cramming and feeling you have too much to revise
Not knowing how to revise
Reflect on the positive, what have you achieved in the past, reflect on strengths.
Start revising early – use effective planning
Try out different methods that have been taught at school. Be actively involved in study. Find a method that suits you.

6. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Revision
Leaving it too late
Bad memory
Hating revision
Take control, stop that from happening START NOW
Try out memory games, mnemonics, acronyms, make up rhymes and stories to help you to remember
Try and make it enjoyable by using different strategies and materials. Revise with friends and family, get them to test you. Set your challenges/targets so that you feel a sense of achievement. Think about why you are revising, what you will gain from it

7. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Revision
Not enough time
Other things to do
Make time – have a plan which incorporates your extra curricular activities and free time as well as your study time
Think about the importance of revising, what is in it for you, what are the benefits

8. Exam tips Read instructions carefully.
Where possible do your best questions first
Look at the number of marks a question is worth
Dress for comfort
Don’t let one bad experience influence affect how you feel about yourself and the exams

9. Exam tips
When tackling long questions, plan them first. A mind map is a good way to do this.
Underline the important words in a long question – this will help you break down the question and check that you have answered all parts to it
If you start to feel really stressed try some deep breathing exercises
Go to the exam early
Make sure you have all the equipment that you need
Don't spend too long on one question

10. Activity 2 – Understanding the exam question
Understanding key terms is very important if you are going to do well in exams
Examiners often report that students fail to understand what a question is asking them to do. SQA have stated that this is one of the main reasons why young people fail their exams
If you have a better understanding of key words you are more likely to focus on the right way of answering the question

11. Activity 2 continued - Understanding the exam question
In your pack you have a list of key exam style words that would be used in questions
Work in pairs and match these words with their definitions.

12. TERMS DEFINITIONS Analyse Compare Illustrate Outline State Summarise
Review
Clarify
Comment on
Look very closely at the detail
Say how things are the same and different
Give examples to make your points clear
Describe without too much detail. Give main features
Present the information clearly but briefly
Using your own words, bring together main points
Go over the whole think picking out the important parts to give your opinion on
Make it simple and clear
Give your opinion or point of view

13. TERMS DEFINITIONS Consider Demonstrate Describe Discuss Contrast
Explain
Take into account. What are your thoughts about it
Show using lots of examples
Give a detailed account of something as it is. You do not need to give your opinion on it
Give important reasons for and against and come to a conclusion
Show how things are different
Make the information clear by giving reasons for it