Penstripe Student Planner Catalogue 24-25 - Flipbook - Page 89
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GENERAL STUDY ADVICE
EXAM PREPARATION – REVISION TIME
General study advice & guidance
Preparing for exams - revision & time management
General
Whether you are completing assessment units or preparing for written exams the key to success
in all study is careful planning, preparation and organisation. There is no perfect way to study or
revise; different methods suit different students, but if you do not manage your workload in a
planned and structured way the following statements made by many students will soon apply to you:
‘I just can’t meet the deadlines; the work keeps piling up.’
‘Concentration is my problem; I can’t settle to anything for very long.’
Your keys to success are:
Careful planning and preparation
Devise a study and revision plan and stick to it. Learn how to balance your workload.
For those students who are keen to succeed the time to work hard is NOW!
Prepare your timetable well in advance.
Breakdown each subject into modules, then individual topics.
Divide into revision sessions. Work out how much time you need for each one.
Do not leave your last exam or assessment preparation to the end.
Tick off each session on completion. Don’t forget to leave time for testing.
Always try to revise the more difficult topics first and earlier in the day.
Tick off
Always
Subject preparation
For each subject you study find out and record the following information in your file.
Subject
Unit title
Time management
Meet deadlines; don’t leave it until the last minute. Divide your time equally
Course type
% total marks
Assessment type
e.g. AS/A2
Assessment criteria
between your subjects. Make a plan and stick to it.
Act on your tutors feedback and use revision sheets, cards or websites.
Your success will not only depend on your interest and ability in the subject and your knowledge
of it – it will be influenced by a range of other factors:
Your ability to use information will influence how well you tackle your work.
Your notes need to be good enough to use later, e.g. for revision or assignments.
You need to organise and store notes so that you can retrieve them to use again.
The quality of your work will depend on how effectively you allocate your time.
Your performance in examinations will be influenced by your revision/exam
techniques, time management and how you cope under pressure.
Your tutors will inform you what factors or criteria your work will be assessed by.
How to make a plan
Two essentials of good planning
Make regular and complete lists of everything that has to be done.
At the same time each week, look ahead and identify what has to be done next week.
Draw up a list for that week.
Next, compile a chart for the week and sub-divide each day into sessions.
Base the length of the sessions on the duration of your classes.
This will be a familiar unit and already part of your pattern.
How to complete your daily plan
Block out your ‘committed time’, e.g. lessons, part time work.
Build in some time for relaxation/recreation.
Plot the time you will spend on private study.
Hints and tips
When compiling your schedule for the week ahead, check back to last week to see if there
was anything you failed to complete. If so, add it to this week’s list.
After each session review briefly what you have done; if work is left incomplete,
allocate further time to finish it.
Remember, a lot can be achieved in a 30 minute slot.
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Page Ref.
H-11
Remember: ‘revision’ means ‘seeing again’
Revision should be about condensing information.
The manageable units of the course should be allocated to appropriate ‘slots’
in your revision plan.
You should revise in ‘slots’ of about an hour.
Tick off topics when revised to show progress and give sense of achievement.
Use mnemonics.
Consistent study pays.
Revision starts when you start studying.
Take notes which you understand.
Learn something, cover it, and recite it.
It is easier to remember pictures/graphs/diagrams.
Associate new information with old.
Review with others; share knowledge and everyone gains.
Study past exam papers and any specimen questions.
Practise writing answers in full, under timed conditions.
Give yourselves treats and rewards - if you deserve them!
Revise in a quiet room with no distractions; some people need silence whilst others work better
with quiet music in the background. Check you have all the resources and stationery you need.
Revision planning
Plan your revision programme for each subject well in advance and reap the rewards.
Start 10-12 weeks before your first exam.
Final hints and tips
Make a final revision hit list of the topics you absolutely must cover.
One month before your exams commence, check all dates, places and times.
Exam/final
project hand in
Date
Time
Duration
Place
Additional notes
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Remember: sleep, rest and eat well. Some leisure is still important.
Check you have all of your essential stationery and arrive early for exams.
Description
Exam preparation – revision time
Page Ref.
H-12
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Keep testing yourself.
Description
General study advice
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Target grade When taken
Exam board Result
Be active not passive
Ask if you do not understand.
Practise – read, understand, and apply. Highlight key points – use colour coding.
Design Right and Copyright © 2009, 2013 Penstripe H
Prepare
Break
Divide
Organisation
Choose an appropriate place to study.
Have suitable materials, record deadlines/exam dates and create a work plan.
Keep organised notes and folders.
Break subjects down into manageable units.
A file full of notes can be daunting!
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It is essential to plan using a revision timetable. Prepare well in advance. Check you are aware of
assessments, deadlines, exam dates and times. Display them on your bedroom wall!
