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Revision Tips and Advice
We know how daunting the thought of exams can be, but thoughtful preparation will improve your chances of success. Let City and Islington College guide your revision and increase your chances of exam success with five simple steps.
Step 1: Make a revision timetable
Be realistic when making your plan and ensure it fits with your learning style. For example, how do you learn best? Are you an early bird or a late night owl? Do you make notes, read chapters or highlight passages?
Work in small chunks of time and identify key topics and tasks that you want to achieve in that time.
Make sure you have regular breaks.
Step 2: Pro-active strategies
You will get the most out of revising by finding methods that keep you alert and on track. Use mindmaps, tick lists, and test yourself after each section.
Step 3: Useful revision activities
Re-write your notes to clarify ideas and ensure they are organised around particular themes, questions and issues. Some of our students produce memory-trigger revision cards highlighting key headings, points and references. These can be post-it notes with mathematical formulas that you can stick on your bathroom mirror and learn when brushing your teeth in the mornings!
It is also useful to talk through topics with friends from your course.
Step 4: Use past exam papers
Make sure you make the most of this essential tool. Practise 'de-coding' questions. Familiarise yourself with exam conditions by completing timed essays. Get your friends and family to time you. Practise with friends and mark each other's answers afterwards.
Find links between exam questions and areas of study, organising your notes, highlighting key words and producing plans on how to best answer the question.
Step 5: Keep positive
Give yourself lots of short breaks and rewards after completing each topic. Try to get enough sleep and have regular meals to aid concentration and keep a positive frame of mind.
Best of luck!