An Idiots Guide To Revision GCSE Geography

Before You Start Revising: Make sure you have caught up with any work missed and filled any gaps in your notes. Make sure your books and files are organised. Make sure you are mentally prepared for what is ahead.

Units for Revision: Paper 1 – Physical Geography: The Restless Earth, The Coastal Zone, Water on the Land. Paper 2 – Human Geography: Population Change, Tourism, Changing Urban Environments. Geographical Skills.

What Should I Revise? Within each topic you should be revising a number of things: All the keywords (use glossaries and key word lists); General concepts (e.g. Plate boundaries etc); Case Studies (What, Where, When, Who and Why?).

Revision Rules Always revise in a quiet place with no distractions (if you don’t have a place like this find or make one). Produce a revision timetable and be strict with yourself about your timing. Never revise for longer than 45 mins at once (some people prefer 30 mins).

Revision Rules After 45 (or maybe 30) mins walk away from your study area and do something completely different (TV, football, etc). Spend 15 mins having this break (10 mins if only 30 mins revision). Always have something decent to eat before revision (breakfast or tea).

Revision Rules Drink sugary drinks to keep you going (especially in the evening), but never coke, coffee or energy drinks. Caffeine has an effect up to 9 hours after consumption. This can cause sleepless nights which in turn means that you will work less effectively the day after.

How Should I Revise? Only 10% is remembered through hearing something. 20% is remembered through reading something. 60% is remembered through writing something. 90% is remembered through teaching something. In other words don’t just read!

Revision Techniques Keep Revision Interesting: Brainstorm each topic using spider diagrams/memory maps – this will help you to organise what needs to be revised. Split large topics into smaller bits (makes the task less daunting). Use checklists so that you can see your progress.

Revision Techniques Keep Revision Interesting: Make lists of as many keywords as you can and then fill in the definitions. Fill in case study sheets and pin them up (when you walk into the room spend 2 mins reading one). Ask other people to test you on keywords, concepts, case studies etc.

Revision Techniques Keep Revision Interesting: Work with someone else (but make sure you don’t become distracted). Use interactive resources on the Internet (see addresses at the end of lesson). Use lots of specimen papers (even the ones you have already attempted).

Revision Timetables As your Controlled Assessment starts, revision takes over: Make a timetable for evenings and holidays. Be realistic – don’t timetable slots that you’re not going to carry out. Find out what you might want to be doing other than revision (socialising, job, football match).

Revision Timetables Identify what works for you: Revising straight after school until early evening? Revising after tea until late evening? Revising all day Sunday and having Saturday off? Revising a little every day with no day off?

Revision Timetables How long should I timetable for revision? You should be aiming to cover 10 hours a week revising (at least!) During holidays (and study leave) this should increase to 20 hours a week. It sounds a lot but you can split this into smaller chunks.

Remember… Revision is a skill that you get better at as time goes on. Therefore, don’t get disheartened and demoralised easily – stick with it. The more effective your revision is, the more satisfied you will be.

Finally… Keep reminding yourself why you are doing this. What are the benefits for you? Good Luck!