Planning

Getting the balance right is one of the most difficult parts of preparing for exams. Knowing how much revision to do can be hard. Knowing the best way to revise can be even harder.

Follow our top tips and make sure you are on the right path to exam success:

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Planning video transcript (MS Word)

It’s about timetables, not just times tables

A revision timetable is one of the best ways of reducing the stress of preparing for exams. You may feel that your time would be better spent on revision or other activities, but taking the time to organise your days and weeks will pay off in the long run.

A revision timetable will help you to:

• Make realistic plans
• Get the most out of your revision time
• Keep track of what you’ve done

Try our brand new and improved online revision timetable app. It will help you to create, update and print your own personalised timetable and keep track of your exams!

We’ve also got a simple print out revision timetable template and put together some top tips for making the most of it – Download the Revision Timetable (PDF) or Revision Timetable (MS Word)

Keep your work space tidy

Whether you revise in your room, a study, the front room, the library or any space you can find – make sure that you try and keep your study space tidy. Having all your work in one big mess will add to the stress and distract you. If you share this space with other family members who are making the mess, explain to them why it is important you keep this area tidy and ask them to help you stay on track with your revision.

Phone a friend

A study-buddy is someone who can help you revise for specific subjects or topics. Doing revision can often be very isolating, so it can be good to work with a friend. You test each other just talk through different topics. But be careful not to get too distracted and forget why you got together!

Study at your own pace

We all have different techniques for studying and everybody learns at a different speed. Don’t worry if your friends seem to have done more or less work than you; the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your progess.

Revision techniques – which ones have you tried?

Everyone has a different way of learning. Try different techniques, and see which ones work best for you. Here’s a few suggestions:

• Using revision websites such as BBC bitesize
• Making mind maps
• Making revision note cards
• Recording your notes onto an MP3 player and listening to them
• Getting someone to test you
• Working through previous exam papers
• Reading study guides

• Talking about topics with friends

Laura, 17, from Thetford, shared her interesting way of revising:

“I had white walls and I was going to decorate my bedroom in the summer, so I borrowed some felt-tips from schools and drew mind maps over my walls for every subject! My mum was pretty understanding in the end as she saw how much it helped… even when I was in bed I could just look at the walls and get a bit of extra revision in!”

Last minute cramming… does it work?

Cramming for exams should really be avoided. This is because it is hard to take in and hold on to a large amount of information in a short period of time. Cramming can confuse you and make you feel even more stressed and tense. The best way to get ready for an exam is to organise your revision, so you don’t need to cram at the end.

The night before an exam

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Do…

• Get all the things you need for the exam ready; make sure your pens work, pencils are sharpened, your calculator has batteries….
• Relax – have a bath, hang out with your family, anything that will help you stay calm
• Get to bed at a reasonable time – about one hour before you normally would is best.
• Set your alarm clock so you have plenty of time in the morning to have breakfast and get to school.
• Stay positive!

Don’t…

• Don’t eat anything too late at night, as this may disturb your sleep
• Don’t try learning any completely new material; this may leave you feeling confused or worried
• Don’t panic – You’ve done everything you can now and worrying will just make it harder to sleep.