Revision

WEBSITES

Here some useful websites that may help you revise in a more interactive and fun way:

• http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/interactive/   - good for Y4,5,6
• http://www.teachingtables.co.uk/  - to practice your tables
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/revisionandskills/  - guideance and advice on revision
• http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/A3_ASPECTS/pages/Revision.htm
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/ - A MUST for all Y7 and Y8 revision
• http://www.what2learn.com/examgames/  - an extensive site with revision for various subjects
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/ - A MUST for all Y4, Y5 and Y6 revision
• http://www.ntscience.co.uk/learning-resource.html - some great science pages with crosswords, games and mindmaps

USEFUL TIPS

Here are some pointers to help you do effective revision in preparation for the exams.

• Do a little bit of several subjects each day to keep things fresh and varied, don’t try and slog through one subject in a day and then leave it. 

• Set aside specific times to do revision, and stick to the schedule. Mornings are often good because you are more alert and able to take things in. If you leave it until evenings, tiredness will make it a waste of time. 

• Don’t revise for too long, 15-30 minute spells a few times a day is better than setting aside a 2 hour block, and then staring into space for most of the time. No-one can read and remember effectively over 2 hours. 

• Vary the way you revise:

1. make mind maps to identify what you need to revise
2. make flash cards to help test yourself with questions and answers
3. use online tests and revision notes
4. do short exercises again, particularly in subjects like maths and science where calculation is required
5. use colourful charts and diagrams to link ideas
6. use sticky notes and memory walks to learn key language
7. discuss topics with your fellow students and to clarify them in your head, your Study Buddy
8. make up mnemonics, rhymes and songs to remember lists of words and key facts
9. use memory stories to help links lists of key words
10. record facts onto disc and replay them on your MP3 players
11. Don’t just sit and read notes – it is too boring and too difficult to try and commit everything to memory. 

• Do your revision in a quiet, undisturbed place, with no distractions like music or TV, if you learn things with music on, you can only retrieve it from your mind when the same music is on, and we won’t be playing music in the exam hall. 

• Don’t revise things you already know! Sounds obvious but lots of people go over things they can do, rather than tackle things they find hard. Be honest, use previous marks in test and preps to guide you as to areas to focus on, as well as mind-maps, to identify what you need to go over.

• Rest, and have time off. Planned breaks are as important as planned revision time. Getting some exercise or moving around is good for the circulation and mind.

• Don’t panic, you know more than you probably think you know. Don't be put off by what other people say about how much revision they have or haven't done, it is up to you to do what you need.

• Get a good night’s sleep during the exam week. Your revision should be mainly done by the time you get to the exams, so don’t cram the night before, just do a little bit and then rest. If you are tired you won’t perform as well.