Revision and exam technique   

Revision.

 

·        We forget 70% of what we learn within one day, but with regular revision, planned and scheduled several weeks before the exams begin we can remember most of what we have studied.

 

·        We need to work out how we remember best: through pictures, through sound, through repeating things, through reading or writing – or maybe a combination of all of these. Deciding what kind of memory we have helps us to choose the memory techniques that we should use to revise.

 

·        Brain Frames or Spidergrams have been very successful for lots of people.

 

·        Most of us memorise best by doing our revision bit by bit using the read, cover, write work really well.

 

·        For the really stubborn bits of memory work there are tricks like mnemonics, which work really well.

 

·        Good organisation is the key to successful revision. Making and updating lists of what to revise, making and using a revision timetable, and revising in plenty of time before the exams are vital.

 

·        Finding somewhere to work and concentrate is important. And you may find that working with someone really helps if you have the self –discipline to stick to work!  

 

Exam Technique.

·        Exam technique starts the day before the exam when you check and tick of the books and equipment you need for the exam, where it is held and what time it starts. You should also know what format to expect in that particular exam – all exam papers have different formats. You should have exercised and know all good relaxation techniques, without using alcohol or drugs which would stop you performing well the next day. A good night’s sleep is also part of exam technique.

 

·        On the day of you exam, it’s a good idea to get up a bit earlier so you don’t get stressed by having to rush or forget things. A good breakfast with plenty of energy – giving carbohydrates is a must.

 

·        You should arrive at the exam room in plenty of time, correctly dressed and when invited, go into the room silently and stay silent.

 

·        Don’t take in anything that could lead to you being accused of cheating.

 

·        Listen to and read instructions carefully.

 

·        Having established what you have to do, choose your questions, then make a mini -timetable and stick to it by keeping an eye on the clock.

 

·        Plan your answers, clearly mark what is the plan and what is the answer and number the questions clearly.

 

·        After you have finished, check through for errors or omissions, and that you have put your name, number and question numbers on all the sheets of paper you have used. If you run out of time, finish by writing clear keyword notes, rather than leaving whole questions unanswered.

 

Remembering Images.

If you think you remember things which you see best, there are other things you can do apart from using Brainframes. You can stick key facts, spellings or vocabulary with Blu-Talk all over your room. You could even put some of your Brainframes on the wall or the back of the toilet door, the fridge. The possibilities are endless!

 

Remembering by Sound .

Sometimes reading your notes out aloud helps to get the facts into your head. Or maybe as suggested earlier, making a tape of parts of your notes or a rap or even a poem. Working with someone else and explaining a section of your notes to them is often successful.

 

Bit By Bit Approach.

Don’t try to cover too much at once. Split up your revision into little chunks. Maybe look at part of the page, cover it up and write down as much as you can, remember (using key words to save time). Then check what you have written with the original. You could use a PC to make it a bit more interesting or even an old fashioned typewriter.

 

Making notes from notes.

Never try to memorise something that you don’t understand: it just won’t work. It is usually best to try to write the information out again your own words. This will help you to understand it. Sort out the stuff you just don’t understand and ask your teacher or classmates for help. By the time you have fully understood it you will find you can remember it. Making a short set of notes on index cards from Woolworth’s, WH Smith or Ryman’s can be very helpful, and it also means you can carry a card or cards round with you and revise at odd times of day: on the bus or even in the loo!

 

Preparing outline answers (US).

Using old exam papers from your teacher, or specimen exam question from your teacher, you can prepare a brief outline plan of how you would answer the questions (like essay plan). This gets your brain to recognise the stuff you have been learning and to understand it better.

 

The Multi-Sensory Approach.

You can get some facts into your brain by using all your senses – that means you write it, say it, you listen to what you have said then look at it again.

 

Working with other people. (US).

When we look at the students who have done best each year after the results come out to your teachers. The teachers are struck by the fact that those people who do best are the ones who work closely with other boys, during term, but also while revising. Testing each other, explaining difficult bits to each other, using each others notes and just talking about the work and how you feel about it, all helps get rid of boredom ad helps you concentrate.

 

The Stubborn Bits. 

No matter how successful those methods already mentioned are, there is usually a bit of each subject, who for some reason your brain just refuses to remember. Everyone finds this – it’s not just you! The methods below might be of help with those stubborn bits, which are trying to kill you!

 

Mnemonics.

These are excellent for helping you remember certain facts, which all other methods have failed. You probably know some already. For instance: Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain helps you remember the colours of the rainbow in order: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. Remembering the sentence is so much easier than remembering the colours in order. You might, instead, use the first letters to make a word: ROYGBIV and remember the strange word.

 

Making Links (US).

Your brain likes familiar things. When you learn something new try to link it with something you know already. Maybe the members of the team you support could be linked with lists of things, which you are finding impossible to learn in other ways. Another way is to take your topic and break it into smaller and smaller units. This will help you write down the key words, which will trigger the memory.

 

Rhyme and Rhythm.

Actors learning lines find it easier to remember lines, which rhyme. As suggested earlier, you could turn that hard to remember set of facts into rap, a poem or set to a familiar tune.

Organisation.

Organisers.

There are many useful organisers available. Some are as simple as your homework diary – at the other end of the scale there are electronic organisers. Make lists of things you have to do, review them and update them regularly. Just making a list, even if you lose it, will help you to remember what you have got to do.

 

Time.

Organising your time effectively is very important indeed. Careful planning of what you have to revise is just as important as having natural ability in a subject.

 

You need to have a balanced view about revision. If you start in plenty of time, you can allow yourself enough leisure time to do most of the things you would do normally do, but it MUST be placed into a timetable.

 

Place.

You need to be honest about how much noise and interruption you can put up with without being distracted. Listen to music may be an excellent way of helping you learn as you may connect things you’ve learned with certain music. But you do need to be completely focussed on your revision. After all, you are giving yourself breaks every 20 to 30 minutes. If you find it impossible to find anywhere suitable, ask one of your teachers for advice.

 

Some people find that before they go to sleep is a good time for them to memorise facts, presumably because your mind is not distracted during the night. Some people operate much better in the early morning. What kind of person are you  - maybe you don’t fit into either category?

 

Finally, avoid “comfort study”, where you revise things you already know. Why do you think it is called “comfort study”?

 

After the Exam.

Don’t waste time on “post – mortems”. You have done all you can. If you mishandled the exam technique resolve not to make the same mistake next time. But go out and relax. Long conversations about what other people have done are likely to wind you up and sap you confidence.