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GET THE GRADES YOU WANT FOR YOUR EXAMS

03-06-2018

THE STUDY LINKS QUICK GUIDE TO ACING YOUR EXAMS THIS YEAR

With the schooling system  becoming ever more competitive and exams becoming more difficult, students  who are revising for GCSEs, A-Levels or IB Diplomas exams certainly feel the pressure to perform well and get top results.  Below are some handy tips to ensure you make the most of your revision time and do your best when it comes to sitting exams this summer.

TAKE GREAT NOTES:  Everyone has their own revision style and know what works and doesn’t work to help them retain knowledge.  The most successful students however tend to be the ones who are organized when it comes to note taking during revision.  Some students use colour coded notes , others use mind maps and spider diagrams whilst many find flashcards help them to divide large amounts  of information into manageable chunks. Remember what works for you and prepare all your materials before any revision session begins.

FOLLOW A SCHEDULE:  Experts say at least 7 hrs of revision a day is needed to prepare effectively for exams.  Many students run into difficulty by revising for too long in one revision session.  The best way to learn anything is in short concentrated bursts,  To get the most out of your days revising, break them down into 1.5 to 2 hrs revision per topic with 30 minute breaks in between sessions.  Follow your timetable and don’t be tempted to cram, instead use your breaks to take a walk or get some exercise giving your brain time to process the information it’s just taken in.

USE PAST PAPERS TO CHECK UP ON YOUR PROGRESS:  Past papers are a great indicator as to what type of grades to expect in your exams.  If you are getting top marks that’s great!  If your results are not that good, don’t worry, finding out what subject areas you need to pay more attention to is exactly what past papers are for.  Be sure to make notes of questions you answered incorrectly and spend more time revising those units/subjects.  It is also highly recommended to go over past papers that you have completed with a  teacher or tutor to discover why you missed  out on grades in certain areas.

GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP:  A good sleep will help your brain  organise and remember what you have spent the day revising.  Sleep also helps to reduce stress levels and increase relaxation.  Try to have a wind down routine to ensure you go to bed at the same time every night and therefore wake up at the same time every morning.  Your body and mind will thank you for the rest and keeping up your revision timetable will be a lot easier.

Study Links wishes our students all the best with their exams this summer. 
Please check out our other blogs for more information on revision and relaxation techniques.  Good luck!