Ten Top Tips Preparing for GCSEs

Top Tip 1 Climate for Learning Removing the Barriers

Learning environment Habitual or learned behaviour

The perfect learning environment Quiet, comfortable, warm room Well ventilated No clutter Books and files to hand No distractions - TV, music, e mail, phone Comfortable chair Spacious desk No interruptions Well lit

Other factors  Regular routine  Agreed timescale  Physical exercise / relaxation / social life  Normal pattern of sleep  Avoid caffeine / chilli – not withdrawal  Healthy eating / water  Employment Law (from i) Not before 7am or after 7pm i) Not before 7am or after 7pm ii) Recommended no more than 8 hours in any shift ii) Recommended no more than 8 hours in any shift iii) Not more than 8 hours per week iv) Can have a detrimental effect to exams

Top Tip 2 Organisation and Timetable

Timetable  Revision Timetable – Invest time in making a revision timetable or wall chart which specifies which revision per evening/day  Know what they need to revise – for each subject you need a list of topics  Ensure that other commitments are highlighted & worked around  Plan breaks & social time  Ensure that the exams/time & place are shown  Display a copy in your kitchen or communal area as well as the place where your son/daughter studies  Use ticks to indicate jobs done

Organisation  Work space & equipment  Remove distractions  The right equipment  Box with pens/paper/hole punch/ highlighters/ equipment  File for revision notes/dividers  Box of plain postcards  Revision Guides

Top Tip 3 Resources Internet and Websites

Why use the internet to revise?  Updated  Interesting/eye-catching/motivating  Visual/auditory learners  Break up traditional methods  Personalised revision plans  Links to exam specifications

What types of resources are effective?  Past papers  Revision Topics  Summary checklists  Tests/ Question and answers  Revision tips/ideas

Practical revision  Plan short blocks of revision and review  Check what needs to be revised  Bookmark favourite websites  Write out notes/mind maps   BS27KO  Supplement not replace!

Top Tip 4 SAM Learning Past Papers

SAM Learning? SAM – Self Assessment Method 750,000 students will use SAM Learning this year750,000 students will use SAM Learning this year Second most “hit site” UK web site during last MaySecond most “hit site” UK web site during last May Used by more than half of all English state secondary schoolsUsed by more than half of all English state secondary schools

SAM Learning at Kings  After 1 month, students have already put in 700 hours of revision and exam practice.  Revision exercises for reinforcing basics  Exam practice with answers.  Link from  CentreID : BS27KO  Userid: DDMMYYAB  Password: DDMMYYAB

Exam Boards   

Top Tip 5 Revision Guides

The Kings of Wessex GCSE Revision Guides English Oxford Revising AQA GCSE English (Peter Buckroyd) Oxford Revising AQA English Literature (Peter Buckroyd) Recommend: Collins Oxford Total Revision Guide. Mathematics CGP GCSE Mathematics - available to purchase from the Department Science 2 Lonsdale AQA Science Revision Guides : one for tested Modules, one for terminal exam Geography CGP GCSE Geography - available to purchase from the Department. History Collins Total Revision by Chris Cuplin TECHNOLOGY: Resistant Materials Food Technology Graphic Products Child Development Recommend: Lonsdale DT Revision Guide Collins Total Revision Guide in-house Revision Guide; Collins Total Revision Guide Collins Total Revision Guide in-house Revision Guide

Top Tip 6 Memory Mind Mapping

Left Brain The left side of the brain controls: Verbal ability Verbal ability Attention to detail Attention to detail Reasoning Reasoning Left brained people are good at: Communication Communication Persuading others Persuading others Maths Maths Logic Logic Your left brain prefers reading, quiet and dogs

Right Brain The right side of the brain controls: Creativity Creativity Flexibility Flexibility Right brained people are : Daring Daring Intuitive Intuitive Creative with writing and art Creative with writing and art Your right brain prefers day-dreaming, philosophy and sports.

Top Tip 7 Memory Note Taking

Top Tip 8 Study Buddying

Working with your child  Explanation, question and answer  Be the student  Testing Revising with friends  Ensure the focus is on studying  Keep promises to one another  Arrange to have breaks together at particular times  Act as tutors for each other  Ensure the arrangement is equal and beneficial  Regular rewards for working well are worthwhile

Top Tip 9 The Day of the Exam

The Day of the Exam

Before the exam  Know the exam timetable: KingsNET  KingsWEB >> Exam Info & Timetable >> Combined Summer Schedule 2007 >> Combined Summer Schedule 2007

Ensure that your son/daughter: Ensure that your son/daughter:  Knows where to be each day  Knows the start time for each exam  Gets there early: allows contingency time!  Allows time for brain to wake up-shower!  Eats breakfast or takes energy rich food  Attends the Exam Briefing

Be practical!  Encourage a normal routine for exams  Going to bed and getting up at sensible times

Be practical!  Check your child has all the correct equipment - including spares  Plus any notes or books allowed in the exam in the correct format  Remind them to use the toilet beforehand!  Bring water to exam and sip throughout

Calming influence  Keep anxieties at bay. Be reassuring.  “You’ve done the best you can!”  Remind them of strategies to keep calm  “It’ll all be over by three!” “It’ll be fine”  Shelve issues that are not of immediate importance!  Don’t insist on lengthy post mortems

Just before the exam  Last minute revision?  Do what’s right for you  A moment to yourself

During the exam  Nervousness is normal – extra adrenaline!  Deep breaths: “I can handle this!”  Read the instructions AND then through the WHOLE PAPER before picking up pen  Write down key formulae, facts, quotes

During the exam  Mark the questions you will answer  Stick to the time-scale for each question  Answer the questions you are most confident about first  Allow a few minutes “checking time” at the end

Don’t make this mistake!

Top Tip 10 What the research says?

How long should I revise for?

How often should I revise?

How should I revise?

Research shows that you remember the most when: You revise in short sessions with short breaks in between You revise in short sessions with short breaks in between You revisit your revision a number of times over a period of time You revisit your revision a number of times over a period of time You practice the tasks that you will be required to do in your exam You practice the tasks that you will be required to do in your exam