As my eldest heads into his exams I'm well aware of the stress and pressure he puts on himself. Revising for the first few papers isn't so bad but then there can be quite a few and sometimes one or two on the same day. Here are some tips to help with their revision when it starts to get busy.
Breaking it down
This breaking down of tasks is one of the key ways to help kids, especially those who may have ADHD or autism to prepare for their exams.
I've helped students prepare for assignments, assessments, GSCE's, A Levels and even years ago SATS. Sitting down to several, two hour long exams the results of which seem to determine the rest of your life can seem simply insurmountable. Especially if school wasn't really 'your thing'.
But sitting down to do a 10 minute task, doesn't seem quite so bad. Master that 10 minute task (as best to your ability) over a series of days and it can begin to seem less scary, possibly even easy. Adding it to another 10 minute task you've already mastered doesn't seem as much of a struggle and before you know if you have nine, 10 minute tasks strung together and you've completed an exam.
Most GCSE and college exams follow a similar format each year. There are types of questions and there are sections. One way to help prepare is to practice these different question styles or sections just one at a time. Then each section can be tackled separately in the mind.
Think about exam technique
Another way to take advantage of this technique is to break down the longer answer questions. Many papers have a few long answer questions which they often suggest 'planning for'. But a student can be supported in advance by having the format of the answer broken down. For example, several exams papers have questions that ask a student to justify their view on a subject. This high mark question might actually be tackled using four shorter tasks:
1. Say which view you agree with
2. Say why you agree with this view
3. Say why you disagree with the other view
4. Confirm your choice but say what might change you mind.
Each of these steps can be practised in isolation and then put together for form an overall answer. Most high mark answers will view the whole answer as one but this can be challenging some as it's a lot to both think about, process and record all in an exam. Shorter tasks can help focus on one point at a time which can also help with the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Plan your week
Have a look at the exam schedule. A week with one exam followed by a week with four exams your revision schedule should look at this. Don't just revise for the one in first week all week - cover some of the four for the following week and then a bit of extra the day before each one. Where you have two in one day think of how you need to spend the time - will a break work best for you or some flash cards?
Prioritise your subjects
As teacher of an 'option' subject I want all my students to do well in it and reach their potential. However, knowing what you need for your next step is also important. If I have a student in my class who is struggling to pass their maths that they have tomorrow, I'm not forcing them to revise my option subject that is next week.
Most colleges need a pass at English and Maths or a grade 3 to get onto a level 2 or 3 course. Both English and Maths will be need to be taken again if they are not passed so it's fair to prioritise your revision.
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