1. Be prepared for your exams

2. SAM Learning www.samlearning.com Centre ID:Sk13gc User ID:Date of birth followed by two initials, first name then last name. Example: 010896DJ is the User ID for David Jones born 1st Aug 1996 Password: Initially same as User ID, learners are encouraged to change this to something difficult to guess or work out

3. Useful websites www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ www.gcseguide.co.uk www.gcse.com www.s-cool.co.uk www.revisioncentre.co.uk www.positivelymad.co.uk www.myrevisionplan.co.uk

4. Top 10 Revision Techniques 1Use index cards to write keywords on or summarise a topic. Coloured pictures or symbols can be used to help recall. 2Self-test. Test yourself as you go. Do so regularly and in different ways.

5. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 3Draw ‘mind maps’ or ‘spider diagrams’ on large pieces of paper – to show how different parts of a subject hang together. 4Use pictures and big flip-chart sheets and colour to make posters with key points; display these on the walls or where you will see them regularly.

6. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 5 Stick post-its up around the house - read them when sitting on the loo, brushing your teeth or eating your breakfast. 6Use highlighter pens to highlight key areas of notes or books (if yours), picking out the key points or summaries.

7. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 7 Read a page and shut the book – what can you remember? 8Get people around you to test you on your knowledge – have a family quiz.

8. Top 10 Revision Techniques cntd. 9 Tell someone what you have learned – explain how the heart works over a meal (or perhaps stick to something less gory). 10Teach a topic to a fellow student or a friend.

9. How do I revise? Get organised! Get all your notes, books, handouts together for each exam you will take. Create a quiet area to work – away from distractions! Make sure you know how you will be assessed for each subject.

10. How do I revise? cntd… Where should I begin? Make yourself start however much you don’t want to – the hardest bit is over with then! Start revision early – allowing at least two weeks for each exam. The sooner you start, the less you will have to do each day and the less stressed out you will be. The most important thing is to make a realistic revision timetable that you will stick to.

11. How do I revise? cntd… Getting started Make a note of the dates of your trial exams. Make sure you know which tier you are being entered for. Transfer exam dates onto a revision planner.

12. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision Space revision out into short sessions. e.g. 1 hour sessions. Build in short breaks. Do frequent short exercises – stretches, neck and shoulder rolls, walking around etc. Drink water and get fresh air. Keep the temperature cool.

13. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision ….. Eat ‘brain food’ – avoid sugar and have lots of healthy snacks around to eat little and often. Don’t leave the difficult bits to the end. Do something relaxing between revising and bedtime. STOP and take a break if you start feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed. Make a note of the problem to take to your next lesson, and move on to something else.

14. How do I revise? cntd… Doing the revision …………… Focus on what you have done, not all the things that you haven’t – every little helps. Promise yourself little rewards after each session – a favourite TV programme, reading a novel or going out with friends. At the end of each session, file away your notes and clutter so that your work-area is clear for the next session.

15. How do I revise? cntd… Finally! Get to the exam on time. Try not to study too much the night before the exam. Early to bed and get to school with time to spare. Success is a CHOICE not a chance! Success is a CHOICE not a chance!