A Helping Hand
How To Help Your Child To Exam Success.
Revision is somewhat of an art form that some GCSE students naturally pick up and use successfully, for others the act of revising for GCSE exams can be an ordeal that puts them at a disadvantage. Revising for an exam is vital to ensure that a student is fully prepared for the knowledge that is being tested. As parents and guardians you can help in many ways to ensure that their child is making full use of the time available before exams to prepare.
Preparation
Work with your together to ensure all notes and books required for revision are to hand. A good stock of paper, pens (different colours), index cards, Post It notes etc are all great for helping to make effective revision notes.
Prepare a revision timetable including the date, time and location of exams (www.getrevising.co.uk). Also, add important dates where coursework or final assignments have to be submitted.
Use the revision timetable to plan sessions, ensuring that they are evenly spread out over the time available for each exam.
Displaying the timetable in the bedroom/study area this will help keep track of progress. A copy on the fridge door or somewhere simialr is also useful to keep everyone in the picture.
Try to ask regulalry what progress they are making. Getting them to explain what they are revising is a good way of showing that they understand the topic well enough to answer exam questions covering that topic or area. This will help boost their confidence and encourage them to continue.
Make sure that students know that they shouldn't be shy about asking for help from their teacher(s) relating to topics they do not fully understand.
Encouragement from you will help a student to continue working hard over the exam period.
Revision tips
One-hour revision sessions with a short break in between after about 30 minutes provide the optimum amount of time to concentrate fully.
Plan to revise a few topics properly at a time for each subject and then revisit before the exam.
Try to be specific when you are planning your revision sessions - if you simply plan to 'do science' you will waste time flitting about deciding which bits to look at. It's much better to plan: Science/B6/Nervous Pathway, this way you get straight on with what you are supposed to be doing.
Background noise from the TV or radio can affect attention.
Scan each topic and then make notes summarising the main points.
Before starting a session, ensure that you have everything you need available to you.
Each day after school, relax for a while and then start your revision. Try to relax for at least one hour after you finish.
Make notes of any areas that you do not fully understand and then get more information from your teacher.
Be careful when working in groups, as it is easy to get distracted, although revising with a friend can be beneficial especially if you test each other.
Revision Websites
http://www.samlearning.comhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/
http://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/examzone/Pages/home.aspx
http://www.revisionworld.co.uk/
http://www.projectalevel.co.uk/
Before the Exam(s)
As a parent or guardian, you can help prepare the night before an exam by making sure that:
Your son/daughter gets a good night's sleep before the exam.
They have all the equipment they need:
- a few pens, pencils and rubber;
- a watch.
Some exams may require special equipment:
- Maths equipment - calculator, compass, protractor, ruler ...
- Art equipment - paintbrushes, paint, pencils ...
- Technical drawing - compass, rulers, pencils, protractors ...
They know the location and start time of the exam(s).
Be positive about how well their revision has gone and how well prepared they are
You wish them well.
You ask them how the exam(s) were that day and get them to then concentrate on those coming up.
Getting Motivated
In need of a little Motivation?
Getting Organised
Timetables, equipment, study areas, what to eat and much much more ...
Effective Revision
Not sure how to revise? Mind maps? Index Cards? On Line Resources? Not sure what suits your learning style? One size doesn't fit all, get to know what works for you !!!
Resource: How to revise: Part 1
Resource: How to revise: Part 2
Understanding Exams
Do exam questions baffle you? Not sure what they examiner wants you to put? Learn to be 'expert @ exams' by understanding just what it is they're asking.
Key Commands in Exams
Table of Clue Words for Exams |
|
| Clue Word | Meaning |
| Analyse | To find the main ideas, how they are related and why they are important. |
| Comment on | To discuss, criticise, or explain its meaning as completely as possible. |
| Compare | To show both the differences and the similarities. |
| Contrast | To compare by showing the differences. | Criticise | To give your judgement or reasoned opinion of something, showing its good and bad points. However, it is not necessary to attack. |
| Define | To give the formal meaning by distinguishing it from related terms. This is often a matter of giving a memorised definition. |
| Describe | To write a detailed account or verbal picture in a logical sequence or story form. |
| Diagram | To make a graph, chart or drawing. Be sure to label it and add a brief explanation if necessary. |
| Discuss | To present arguments for and against a point of view and reach a conclusion. The arguments must be supported with appropriate evidence. |
| Enumerate | To list. Name and list the main ideas one by one. |
| Evaluate | To give an opinion, supported by some expert opinions, of the truth or importance of a concept. Show the advantages and disadvantages. |
| Illustrate | To explain or make clear by concrete examples, comparisons or analogies. |
| Interpret | To give the meaning using examples and personal comments to make something clear. |
| Justify | To give a statement of why you think something is so. Give reasons for your statement or conclusion. |
| List | To produce a list of words, sentences or comments. Same as enumerate. |
| Outline | To give a general summary. It should contain a series of main ideas supported by secondary facts. Show the organisation of the idea. |
| Prove | To show by argument or logic that something is true. However, the word 'prove' has a very specific meaning in maths and physics. |
| Relate | To show the connection between things, telling how one causes or is like another. |
| Review | To give a survey or summary in which you look at the important parts and criticise if necessary. |
| State | To describe the main points in precise terms. Use brief, clear sentences. Omit details or examples. |
| Summarise | To give a brief, condensed account of the main ideas. |
| Trace | To follow the progress or history of the subject. |
Coursework
Need a little help getting organised with your coursework. Worried about how to structure your time to meet deadlines.
Careful planning makes a big difference, removes the stress and helps you achieve your potential.
The Night Before...
Worried, nervous about your exam tomorrow? Here's a few last minute pieces of advice to help you through
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