1. English revision Top Tips

2. GCSE Revision Tips If you’re determined to get as many A* grades as possible when you open your GCSE results in August, you may be searching for better ways to revise for your exams to make sure you get there. Nothing beats hard-work, especially when it comes to studying, but there are ways you can guide your brain to remember information easier which supports your ability to learn. We have gathered the best revision techniques from past GCSE students who have overcome the exam stress to achieve top class results and help you understand how you can learn better to improve your GCSE results.overcome the exam stress Delve into the best practice advice and tips below to optimise your study time leading up to your GCSE exams at the end of Year 11.

3. Create a Revision Timetable Building a revision timetable can add structure to your revision and help you identify which GCSE subjects you need to prioritise to get better marks.revision timetable Creating a revision timetable is a great way to organise your study time, plus it also helps boost your motivation to revise for your exams. Recognising a need for a revision timetable means that you have already made a great start to combat exam stress.combat exam stress

4. Practice, Practice, Practice One of the biggest recommendations that past GCSE students suggest is to practice questions by doing as many GCSE past papers as you can.practice questions Practising past papers will help you get familiar with the: Exam format Question style Time pressure Retrieve information quicker

5. Collaborate with Classmates in Groups If you find your coursework too much to tackle alone, then why not enlist the help and support of other students? Create or join online study Groups and connect with thousands of GCSE students in any all of the subjects you are studying. This will allow you to fully prepare for your GCSEs as well as enrich your learning by exploring the thoughts and ideas of others.Create or join online study Groups Interacting with other students will also help you improve your communication and collaboration skills. And in addition, you and your classmates can also test one another’s knowledge and level of progress!test one another’s knowledge and level of progress

6. Take Regular Study Breaks Do you feel stressed, tired and that no new information is entering your head? There is no point forcing yourself to study for hours upon hours as this will not result in a positive outcome. Taking regular study breaks and exercising is proven to engaging your brain in studying and improve your exam performance in the long-run. Exercise is a powerful enabler which boosts your brain’s ability to be productive so don’t underestimate how important it is to take the stairs rather than the lift!

7. Understand Your Learning Style Everyone thinks that there is a best way to study but the reality is that each person is different. Once you understand your learning style by deciding if you are a visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinaesthetic learner, then remembering and recalling new information will become much easier. learning style Practice will also tell you if you work better studying during the night or in the morning/daytime.studying during the night or in the morning/daytime

8. Variety is the Spice of Life! Mix up your study habits and methods by listening to podcasts, watching videos or documentaries, moving to new study area or even something as simple as using different colours for your study notes.different colours for your study notes This is different to the other GCSE revision tips mentioned here as it encourages you to try a few different things to see what fits for you. Your brain will recall where you were or how you revised for a topic which will help you remember more information. Give it a go! Join GoConqr Now, It’s Free!

9. Use Mind Maps to Connect Ideas If you find it difficult to remember tons of new study notes, Mind Mapsmay be the key to improving your memory. The theory behind mind mapping explains that making associations by connecting ideas helps you to memorise information easier and quicker.Mind Mapstheory behind mind mapping There are much more benefits to using Mind Maps for learning including being able to map out your curriculum, develop GCSE concepts in-depth and create sample exam answers. If you’re interested in learning more about how Mind maps can be an effective study tool, take a look at our GCSE Mind Maps page which is packed full of reasons to use this study aid and how you can apply them to your revision.GCSE Mind Maps

10. Day of Your GCSE Exam The day of your exam can be the most stressful of the entire examination experience but there are ways which you can minimise your anxiety such as avoiding panicking friends and giving yourself plenty of time to get to the test centre on time.day of your exam Also don’t underestimate the power of eating a healthy breakfast the day of your exams!

11. Adapt for Different GCSE Subjects It may seem obvious but many students try to study for different subjects using the same study methods. Your GCSE revision should take account of the difference between your subjects and the challenges they represent. For example, Flashcards are an ideal study aid to help you prepare for a language exam where you need to remember key terms. Also, an Online Quiz is a great way to test your GCSE Maths skills with sample questions.FlashcardsOnline Quiz

12. Apps for Students If you want to stay ahead of your friends with the latest technology, get the best student apps before anyone else. Not only will they help you show off to your friends, some apps such as ExamTime are designed to improve your learning. Try these free student apps we recommend!free student apps we recommend If you’re stressed and feeling worried about your upcoming exams, try these GCSE revision tips to ease your mind! Revise Smarter, Join GoConqr Now!

13. How to Deal with Exam Stress Do you feel a pang in your stomach when you think of your upcoming GCSE exams? You’re not alone, every year countless GCSE students worry about their exams but it’s important to understand how to deal with stress so that it won’t negatively affect your performance. A little bit of stress can motivate you to work harder but excessive anxiety can cause:  Lack of sleep  Poor appetite  Increased heart rate  Migraines or headaches Let’s put those harmful feelings to one side and focus on GCSE revision tips that can help you control your stress levels. Here’s some practical tips to help you revise for exams without the pressure:GCSE revision tips

14. Try to Get Enough Sleep Getting between 6–8 hours’ sleep each night will help you keep focused and concentrate better. Sleep is also a powerful mechanism for remembering information better as it helps your brain assimilate and retain new knowledge into your long-term memory so you can recall it during your exam. Having trouble sleeping? Keep your revision away from your bed, turn off digital devices at least half an hour before bed and try spraying some lavender on your sheets.

15. Use Mobile Apps The mobile device you carry everywhere can be used for much more than checking Instagram and sending Snapchats every 5 minutes. There’s tons of mobile apps you can download for free to improve your exam revision and reduce stress levels. From apps that help you get better organised to those that help you wake up easier, there’s an app for that! We’ve even launched a free mobile app for our elearning platform GoConqr which is available for iOS and Android devices so that you can use to make the most of your time.iOSAndroid

16. Practice Meditation Studies say that practicing meditation can improve focus and concentration while studying. Giving your mind some space can make you feel more relaxed and calm when you are faced with stressful situations such as the GCSEs. Try integrating tips one, two and three by downloading a meditation app which is designed to help you sleep. Relish the benefits and show your friends how to deal with stress like a pro!

17. Eat the Right Foods You don’t need to read these tips to know that eating pizza every day won’t help you get the most from your brain when revising for your GCSEs. Following a healthy diet and avoiding stimulants such as coffee, will be beneficial for all areas of your life. We recommend eating dark chocolate which fights the stress hormone cortisol and releases endorphins which act as a natural stress fighter. Green tea is also known for having a relaxing effect on the body. Eating the mandatory dosage of fruit and vegetables is also a good idea if you’re serious about reducing your stress levels.

18. Get Organised The sense of calm you feel when you are properly organised to study encourages a positive and productive atmosphere. However, being organised is about much more than lining up your coloured highlighters! Building a personal revision timetable can help you add structure to your learning. Outlining short-term goals that you are regularly hitting will boost your study motivation and help you build a foundation for success.revision timetable

19. Avoid Negative People Loads of other GCSE students will be dealing with exam stress at the same time so don’t let others bring you down. When you follow some of the practical tips in this article, you will have developed a set of skills to help you cope better. Don’t let negative people impact the progress you have made. Everyone is different and others may unload their worries onto you as a coping mechanism. Make sure to tell you friends how this is making you feel and encourage them to speak to the school’s pastoral care about their worries.

20. Listen to Music Listening to music can elevate your mood and help you revise more effectively. Classical music in particular is recommended for studying as it is known to boost brain power. Music can also fight boredom and motivate you to continue studying for longer. Sticking your earphones in can help you get into the right mindset and focus on the task in hand. If you find yourself getting distracted and singing along to your favourite tune, check the playlists on Spotify for some mood music which can help you stay on track.

21. Get Some Exercise Many students who feel the pressure of the GCSEs weighing down on them feel as if they should spend every waking minute revising but this simply isn’t true. Sitting down for hours at a time desperately trying to revise GCSE maths can be an unproductive waste of time. Studies have shown that taking regular study breaks and exercising canboost brain activity and improve memory. Even taking a quick walk around your school will help you concentrate better when you get back to your desk.

22. Fit Fun into your Study Routine Spending all of your time stuck to your books can be extremely boring plus it’s unnecessary. Don’t get us wrong, of course you will need to dedicate a lot of time to revising but don’t go over the top as this could work against you. Take some time out to have fun with your friends or hang out with your family as this will have a positive impact on your stress levels. You could also try adding some fun elements into your study routine such as testing yourself with interactive online quizzes.

23. Keep your End Goal in Mind If you’re constantly thinking about the amount of work that’s stacked high on your desk, you will start to feel as if it’s never ending. Here’s a quick tip to bolster your motivation; write your study goals on a post- it and stick it up near your study station. You should also write the end date of your GCSE exams so you know that this is the final push and soon you will reach the final frontier where all of your hard work will culminate.

24. Bonus Stress-busters Outlined above are the best practical tips for reducing exam stress for GCSE students. There are also some unexpected ways that students can rise above the tough exam period such as:  Playing with your pet  Bursting bubble wrap  Repeating mantras and chants  Listen to comedy Don’t forget to block any distractions such as your phone, mobile device or random internet browsing. There’s some great tools you can use such as the SelfControl website that can force you to pay attention to your studies.