1. How to revise effectively
Revision Process
How to revise effectively
Mr. Yates

2. Revision is re-learning
Although I don’t want you to think about this in too much detail take a look at the graph. We forget information rapidly unless we have a re-learning or (revision) time.

3. More practice = more myelination
If we increase myelin sheath we increase the speed of electrical signals
Which in turn increases our ability to recall information
When we practice – we increase the amount of myelin

4. Strings Think of learning like strings and rope
The string is only 1 process of learning – say note taking; its not very strong, and cant be used to lift much.
The rope is made up of multiple threads, or multiple revision methods – its very strong and can lift loads.

5. Step by step revision process
Create a red list
Revise those red list topics effectively
Take past papers and mark them and give feedback to yourself
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

6. Step 1
Creating a RED list
Use your specification – or the contents of your textbooks
Decide whether each topic or sub topic is Red, Amber or Green
Once you have highlighted the red topics create a list of them
These are the topics you struggle with the most – so should be where you start your revision.

7. Try and keep most of your revision in the “active” category
Creating active tasks
Step 2
Try and keep most of your revision in the “active” category

8. Some examples of tasks Step 2
Verbally explain a topic and then write down all of the key points
Have a verbal test with a friend
Test yourself by creating flash cards with questions on them and answers on the back
Create a list of topics or subtopics that all link together in some way
Take a past paper and with a different colour add in bits that you missed out using your notes to help
Time yourself to answer a question and try and beat the time
Use your notes and textbooks to create acronyms
Watch a youtube video on your chosen topic and then see If you can spot any bits you would add in
Annotate a mark scheme to spot where the examiner is looking for marks
Using your notes create a “fill in the blanks” paragraph or two.
In pairs create a mind map. One person writes something, you have to write something that link
Create key term mind maps with definitions attached and test yourself on them
See if you can verbally answer a past paper question perfectly
Take a past paper test – mark it as best you can and then create a list of marks that you have missed out
In pairs create multiple choice tests for each other – make them hard!

9. Step 3
If you are learning how to drive a car…. You will at some point, have to drive a car….
Your output for you’re A-Levels are exams, so your input will have to match your output.
At some point you will have to take past paper questions
Do these effectively, timed, marked and reviewed
Systematically work out when you will do them in your week.

10. How long should you revise for?
Each person will be very different
Try and break it down with short breaks
Have an overall amount of time, or an outcome by the end, for example a completed past paper or mind map