Download three to five years of exam papers along with their marking schemes, grade bands, and any other supporting material. I’ve shared these for the exams my son took – you can download them here by clicking here.
Do one set of exams and mark them using the marking scheme –it’s OK to get very low marks – YOU WILL IMPROVE – make a note of the subject, date, time started, time finished, mark as a percentage, and an actual grade! Check out an example – click here.
Next, use the published curriculum to write down all the topic headings you need to cover – you’ll have to check your textbook and/or the exam board website (CIE, Edxcel, etc..).
Use your textbooks, or find a website, which covers the relevant topics and provides exercises – make sure you do the exercises however tedious. Write a maximum of one A4 page of notes per topic.
Do another set of exam papers and mark them using the marking scheme. Make a note of the same information as mentioned in 2) above. You should hopefully see some improvement in your marks and note the change down – click here.
Now here’s the secret – review the questions you got wrong and write down the topics they are related to – this is the gap analysis.
It’s vital to stay positive and calm. There’s no need to stress. So even though mocks may not be much fun, they can still provide a
Helpful learning tool.
Useful test of your learning in a time-pressured environment
You won’t necessarily find all of our tips to be useful for you personally. The key is to understand which ones work best for you.
1 – Plan as much as possible
Although the exam season seems far away, there is never a better time to prepare. Effective assessments cannot be rushed. So start your mocks GCSE revision as much before your GCSE 2021 exam dates as possible.
It might feel like an extra chore, but planning ahead really does work. Having a solid plan in place will help stop those middle-of-the-night exam panics as well as giving you the best possible chance of acing your mocks.
2 – Set your own GCSE revision goals
Setting goals is a good starting point, as it sets work for the coming months. Start by posting the GCSE content you are studying and the scores you want to achieve. In any topic, write a list of topics that you want to understand, techniques, as well as the question format, and scoring criteria that the student is used in the scorebook requirements. This means that you can effectively plan your course and track your progress.
Top 2023 GCSE Revision Guiduance
Create a realistic GCSE revision timetable
Making a revision timetable will provide a structure for your research and let you design your time in a way that best matches your schedule and time. If you are sure you will have more time for the GCSE theme, you can add these additional sessions. It is also important to develop a realistic timeline and know that the amount of work that can be effectively carried out in one day is limited. The revision and balance of leisure means that in the long run, you are more motivated, more productive and able to examine more effectively. Just schedule your study time and see what’s better for you. With 5 days available per week, try 2 hours GCSE revision each day.
Plan your GCSE revision
You might think it’s a waste of time to plan. However, in the long run, you save time because you don’t have to decide what you’re looking for each day.
Whenever you plan what to do in a structured way, you will create a evaluation plan. Careful action, including any relevant documents or comments that you need to view. Do persist.
Assess your current ability level in each GCSE subject
There is no proper unit size or one scale that can implemented for all students, because everyone works in different ways. Knowing your learning style, and how you’ll be a visual apprentice, hearing and exercising, will be more easily revised! When you know which learning method is better for you, simply select the more effective review techniques to customize each learning session, improve memory and memorise information.
Remember to take regular breaks (to aid your memory)
Regular study breaks are important only as GCSE reviews or in revision strategy. When the brain is tired and you are prone to losing attention, learning can no longer reverse or have an effect means you are not really working effectively. Instead, the goal is 30-45 minutes, with a short break and, ideally, over 4 hours of study per day. This way, you will revise a more efficient explosion without saving a few hours of alertness to address multiple subjects.
One of the best exercise or revision strategies to help you for your GCSE exam iare past papers. They help you get acquainted with time pressures, questions styles and exam formats. so when you sit in the real exam, you’ll know what’s going on. Filling out the old exam form is a great way to test your current knowledge and help identify all the areas you are struggling with. After writing an article, ask your teacher and schedule one or two performance upgrade programs in the week.
See if group study works for your own learning style
If you read too much and can’t solve it, then working in the research group is the way to find support. Work with your classmates to create a super-Program Learning Club or join the GCSE test group online. Not only do you enrich your learning, but it will also help improve your communication skills and cooperation when exploring ideas and ideas of others. Ask questions, share notes, discover new ways to remember, and explain the topic in a new way. Sharing knowledge is the best way to strengthen yourself.
Understand your own learning habits
Mixing up your learning habits is a good way to stay motivated. You must focus your thinking. Keeping your GCSE revision active means keeping your thinking as alert as possible. Try other methods such as watching documents or videos, listening to podcasts, working in groups, using other coloured paper for each set of revisions notes, moving to a new learning area or and creating revision posters,.
Read early every day
because the brain is fresh and easier to work. Starting in the afternoon means that you may be up late and try to re-evaluate everything. It is better to have a common overhaul, and you want to start and finish each day around the same time.
Which is your preferred 2023 GCSE revision schedule?
Planning your 2023 GCSE exam revision schedule has a marked positive impact on grades. Not only do you have more time to study. You also have the experience to evaluate in a more balanced way. Which leads us to 2023 GCSE revision schedules
1-Week GCSE revision Schedule
So you’re kind of a last-minute studier…but that’s okay because we’re here to help! 🙂 And since you’ve got very little time, you’re going to have to keep up your end of the bargain and give it your all. That’s why we developed this one-week crash course to doing well on the GCSE. It’s no walk in the park (more like a 1-mile sprint!). You can do it!
1 Month GCSE Exam Revision Schedule (Weekly)
You’ve given yourself just enough time to see a big improvement in your score, but that’s assuming you are going to be pretty diligent over the next month. This study plan is intended for those who are flexible self-studiers who just need general guidance and weekly check-ins, not daily instructions.
1-Month GCSE Revision Schedule (Daily)
You’ve given yourself just enough time to see a big improvement in your score, but that’s assuming you are going to be pretty diligent over the next month. Are you worried about getting overwhelmed with studying and want lots of specific help? This study guide will give you a step-by-step plan with daily instructions to improve your score and keep you focused and motivated!
2-3 Month GCSE Revision Schedule (Weekly)
So you’ve chiseled out some serious time over the next 60-90 days, but you don’t want to just flounder through endless GRE material, wasting precious time. This study guide will provide weekly guidelines for those who are self-motivated and feel constricted by step-by-step instructions. Why the wiggle room on the time? Well, some simply have more of it than others. And life does tend to throw unexpected stuff at us, so this leaves room for breaks!
3-Month GCSE Revision Schedule for Beginners (Daily)
This study guide will give you specific, daily instructions to follow over the next few months. The focus will be getting you up to speed slowly and building skills from scratch, so this study guide is perfect for those who haven’t seen in a standardized test in years and want a strong focus on the basics to start.
Maths Focused (Daily)
This study guide will give you specific, daily instructions to follow over the next few months. If you’d describe yourself in the following way, this is the plan for you!: “I have a natural affinity with the verbal, but the math is far less intuitive for me. I would like to focus more there.”
English Focused (Daily)
This study guide will give you specific, daily instructions to follow over the next few months. You…
Have a strong math background; and you
Aren’t worried about that section at all.
Want extra help with vocabulary, reading comprehension.
90-Day GCSE Revision Schedule for Advanced Students (Daily)
This study guide will give you specific, daily instructions to follow over the next few months. If you’d describe yourself in this way, this is the perfect plan for you!: “I actually feel reasonably comfortable with math & verbal; if I took the test today, I’d get around 310-320 combined score”.
6-Month Study Schedule (Weekly)
Maybe English isn’t your first language, you haven’t stepped into a math classroom in years, or you simply want a dramatic score increase. If you want some general help with structuring your plan of attack, this is the right study guide for you–provided you have 6 months to spare. This plan includes general instructions for each week, so it leaves plenty of room for personal adjustment based on your progress.
Maths Beginners (Daily)
If you are serious about improving your GRE math score and you want a lot of detailed help, this is the plan for you. The focus here is to help you master math basics and then build off of that knowledge so that you’ll be able to tackle increasingly difficult questions and build confidence in your math skills!
Advanced Maths (Daily)
This plan is for quant rockstars who are not content with a mere 160. This study guide includes plenty of help for students with a strong background in math so that you’ll be in striking distance of that perfect 170, while still providing lots of solid help for a great verbal score as well.
Enhanced memory techniques
Firstly, the 4 key memory processes (required for GCSE revision) are as follows:
Material is initially processed in short-term memory
Understanding the material eases this first memory process – as well as the…
Follow-on memory process of transferring learned material into long-term memory
Revision is the process of going over and repeating summaries of the same material. This helps to transfer material into long-term memory (memory stage 3 above). In fact, memory stages 3 and 4 work best if material is revised the first time the same time so aim to write your revision notes the same day. Then next to go over a second time within the same week. Depending upon the individual the material should be stored within long-term memory.
Now the only memory process required is recall – the retrieval of what’s been learned and memorized from within one’s long-term memory. A quick recap the day before an exam should suffice.
GCSE Revision planning for 2023 GCSE exams
It’s helpful for a tutor to make an initial assessment of a pupil’s current ability level in the GCSE subject(s) they specialize in.
Ask your GCSE tutor to advise on the necessary frequency of tutorials and specific revision targets for the following week.
2023 GCSE revision tips
Time Management for 2023 GCSE Revision
This may be the first time a pupil has needed to practice/revise for a ‘life-changing’ exam. Learning some time management principles is therefore key.
There is a popular misconception that the more you revise in a day, the more effective it is. This concept is wrong, rather, it would be better to take small revision sessions during the day. Even so, if an individual finds it easier to revise for two 30-minute sessions – rather than one 60-minute session, then that’s fine.
Best use of for Flashcards for 2023 GCSE Revision
Referring to a list of key topics – either online or provided by a specialist GCSE tutor.
Making notes on one topic at a time.
Always time your revision session(s).
Plus, track your 2023 GCSE revision progress. In combination these two revision tips will help you to stay productive.
The 2023 GCSE revision flashcards technique:
– Formulates the laws of repetition and trains our brain to work effectively. The flashcard technique
– Comes with a simple query in the front and an answer on the back. Flashcards engage active recall and can be recommended easily to someone who is looking forward to better their techniques for revising.
– Helps GCSE students to practice the same information over and over again and practice will always make an individual perfect. However, it is noted that flashcards must have a key term on one side and the answer/definition or description on the other side.
Revision tips for GCSE exams
Colour pen GCSE revision technique
This is another effective and popular revision technique – especially combined with flashcards. From working with the many students using the colour pen revision method, we advise:
– Using 3-4 different coloured pens as the most efficient approach. It avoids becoming overly colour, or design-focused…
– Rather than keeping the main focus on identifying key points with the actual revision material!
– Choose the topic or unit and then set the time that you’re going to spend on revising that.
– Then as soon as you’ve finished highlighting a section, go back over the highlights.
– Spend 10 minutes revising it and using two-color pens to write and mark any changes that they are making. The same process should be continued such as ten minutes of recall and ten minutes of checking. This will be effective during exams as our brain does not recognize the information, it recalls it. The most important step towards active revision is that students should always be recalling the information that they are learning initially.
Managing pre-exam stress
Efficient revision is the key to managing exam stress. At the same time, a realistic expectation that nothing is guaranteed. It’s ill-advised to assume that a student has to pass.
Always try to stay calm throughout your 11 plus / 13+ exam. Even if the answer seems initially unknown. you should expect some questions that challenge your thinking. Even if the answer seems initially unknown. you should expect some questions that challenge your thinking.
Accelerated learning techniques for GCSE test prep
Accelerated learning is a specific method of teaching that builds an environment where students can retain and absorb ideas in a way that is more effective than the traditional method of learning. Various accelerated learning techniques help students in the process of preparing for GCSE exams.
Organising GCSE revision notes
Revision notes for GCSE include keywords, definitions and terms, and other important elements. For this reason, the students need to organise their notes carefully as per their daily lessons so they can easily locate their topics later and read over the details during their revision time. To efficiently organise revision notes, students need to create a table of contents. The students can develop a full overview of the revision notes’ contents and then easily jump into their desired subject.
Making effective notes
Making effective notes for GCSE revision is a very important part of this process. During learning sessions, making effective notes can help the pupils to focus and to better understand major concepts. The process of effective note-taking will also enhance their active listening, retention and comprehension of the subjects.
These notes are essential for evaluation and analysing class material so they can train themselves properly for the exams. Effective notes can save energy and time, as well as reducing mistakes far better than normal insufficient and disordered notes.
GCSE Memory techniques
Memory techniques help the learners to develop their working memory and their long-term memory.
GCSE students can use different memory techniques whilst preparing for GCSE exams. Some of the well-known memory techniques include storytelling, repetition, chunking, mind maps, etc. With the help of these techniques, the students can hold onto their learning long enough to use it.
2023 GCSE Practice testing
With this particular learning technique, the students can intentionally set practice sessions and challenge themselves to remember what they have learned throughout the lessons without any help.
The positive side of the practice test is that it allows learners to identify their mistakes, provides opportunities to rectify these and to memorise the correct answers.
Practice testing helps the students with their studies by highlighting their weak points so they can successfully work on these areas. Practice testing also lets the students shift their learning outcomes from short-term to long-term memory.
GCSE Self-explanation
Self-explanation is one of the commonest and most effective learning techniques that students may use in their GCSE revision. In this particular technique, the students usually explain what they have learned during the sessions to themselves.
This process is more suitable when studying theoretical and academic material. Students who are self-explainers train themselves just like their teachers. This method will help them to become aware of detailed concepts that they have not noticed before throughout their studies.
Top motivational 2023 GCSE tips
Adopt a system of rewarding yourself after each GCSE revision session. Bribery always works!
Don’t make your GCSE revision sessions too arduous. Keeping learning fun is important. So, maybe intersperse your least popular GCSE subject with revision for your most popular GCSE subject.
Most GCSE students have busy lives outside school. That doesn’t mean you should do less revision through! The key is to have a fixed GCSE revision slot(s) in your weekly schedule. Maybe try weekends as soon as you get up. Early afternoon?
There’s a lot of pressure to perform well in your GCSEs. Hopefully your GCSE teachers also offer you encouragement. Try to focus on the latter – rather than any disencouragement from your peers perhaps. You do not want to create a neghative learning environment.
GCSE subject teachers are also the best place to find out the best sources to improve your GCSE mark. Asking will also impress them by the fact that you want to learn more!
Try to start reading early every morning. Even if that sounds impossible!
Your brain is fresh and easier to work. Starting in the afternoon means that you may be up late and try to re-evaluate everything. It is better to have a common overhaul, and you want to start and finish each day around the same time.
Use goal-setting theory
Setting weekly and monthly goals may sound like a waste of time but it’s vital since it enables you to both schedule and track your progress.
Take set breaks
Set study breaks are vital for you to stick to your revision schedule and to maximise the time you spending on your GCSe revision each week,
So the goal is 30-45 minutes for each GCSE revsion session. At least. Then, with a short break and, ideally, over 4 hours of study per day.
This way, you will revise a more efficient explosion without saving a few hours of alertness to address multiple subjects.
Use alternative media
Try other media once your attention starts to flag. If your studying for GCSE English Literature then check for shakepeare and modern classic movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Similarly for Classics GCSE and History GCSE.
If your studying Maths GCSE then you probably already know how many free Maths GCSE apps and Websites there are. go toyour favourite and see if that can spark your interest.
Alternative GCSE revision tips
Our Aptitude test practice books (on Amazon)
Firstly, in our opinion, this is the best aptitude test practice book for Passing Verbal Reasoning Tests.
