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8 Strategies for IGCSE Exam Revision

 

For any struggling student, the most common reason for getting low grades is that they usually forget the formulas as soon as they attempt a question or that they are unable to recall the concepts while attempting an exam.

This is why revision is important. It helps in the retention of concepts and formulas. If a student devotes time to the revision classes held by their teachers, they will not only recall everything they had studied but will also score higher grades as well. When a student revises their syllabus, it makes them more confident about their preparation and every student knows that their confidence is a major aspect while attempting any exam. The students that take their revisions seriously and cover all the topics of the syllabus tend to attempt their test confidently and score more than others while also staying relaxed during the test.

It’s really hard to grasp all of the knowledge while learning a concept in a single reading, which is why revision is important. Revising the concepts repeatedly will make things crystal clear for the students and then they will be able to form logical arguments of their own. Revision is not to be confused with rote learning as the latter will not work in the case of IGCSE examinations. For these examinations, a practical understanding of the subject is really crucial.
Every student has their own different way of revising.

Best Revision Strategies for IGCSE Students

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro technique is a very popular way to learn and revise any topic of any subject. Just follow these easy steps:

  1. Choose the subject you want to revise
  2. Set a timer for 25 minutes
  3. Revise the subject until the timer rings
  4. When the timer rings, take a break for 5 minutes
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for four times and then take longer breaks(15-20 minutes)

This technique is really effective and it will help the students to manage their time well.

 

Making a Timetable

Making a timetable and sticking to it completely seems almost impossible for students, but if they work hard and follow it then no one can stop them from scoring good grades. Good time management will take them to such heights that even they will be surprised.

 

Making Diagrams and Short Notes

Our brain is much better at remembering pictures rather than walls of text. Making diagrams and flow charts of the important topics filters out all the other unnecessary material and makes it easier to revise when a student is low on time.

Making short notes of every subject saves time and proves to be very conventional because a student can carry them anywhere and can refer to them the moment they get some free time.

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Attempting Past Papers

This usually comes after the student has revised and is fully prepared for their test. The previous year tests give an idea about the format of the questions. Taking these tests as practice can determine where the student currently stands in the terms of knowledge of the subject. If the previous year tests seem arduous and the student doesn’t perform well, then that means their revision is lacking somewhere and they can simply study and revise the subject again.

 

Attending Revision Classes Held by Teachers

After teaching the whole syllabus, the teachers conduct revision sessions for their students. Every student should attend those sessions actively as the teachers provide the best study and revision materials. Students should also participate in the class quizzes held by the teachers to test their knowledge and preparation level.

The teachers act as a guide for the students in their preparation. The IGCSE Board conducted examinations can be very challenging and puzzling. The teachers know this very well and offer their students the best education possible. They help their students to the very end and act as an ally to them in the examinations. Whenever a student is in need of any help, the teachers aid them in the best possible way. They push the students to work hard.

Along with the efforts of their teachers, the students’ self-study also plays a crucial role in their grades. As IGCSE exams test their practical knowledge, the students can adopt these learning strategies to prepare better on their own.

 

The Feynman Technique

The Feynman Technique is an efficient and popular method of learning a concept quickly by explaining it in plain and simple terms. It’s based on the idea, “If you want to understand something well, try to explain it simply.” What that means is, by attempting to explain a concept in our own words, we are likely to understand it a lot faster. The students can benefit from this technique by simply following these easy steps:

  1. Write the subject/concept at the top of a sheet of paper.
  2. Then the student has to explain it in their own words as if they were teaching someone else.
  3. The student should then review what they wrote and identify any areas where they were wrong.
  4. Lastly, if there are any areas in their writing where they used technical terms or complex language, they should go back and rewrite these sections in simpler terms.

 

Studying Before Bedtime

According to Scott Cairney, a study from the University of York in the UK, “You learn new things when you are awake, but you refine them when you are asleep, making it simpler to recover them and use them correctly when you need them most. This is important for how we learn but also for how we might help retain healthy brain functions.”

Sleep is crucial for brain function, memory formation, and learning. So, studying before sleeping can help improve the students recall of whatever they studied the whole day.

 

Exercising Before Studying

Students frequently complain about not having the motivation to study or to do any other work. For those students, exercising is the Holy Grail. They don’t have to spend an entire hour at the gym doing workouts, any exercise that gets their hearts pumping will do. Not only does exercise fight fatigue, but it also:

  • Kick starts brain function and can help improve memory and cognitive performance.
  • Releases endorphins, which can improve the students’ mood and reduce stress levels.

By following these techniques, the students can avoid last minute cramming and revise the subjects on time.

Lastly, the IGCSE Board examinations are just like any other exams. If the students stay relaxed, learn and revise all the concepts, then no one can stop them from scoring high.

 

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FAQs

What are the 3 steps of revising for IGCSE?

Revising, Editing and proofreading are the three steps of revising.

How many hours should IGCSE student study?

Study around 15 to 20 hours per week is more than enough for an IGCSE student.

Is 2 month enough to revise IGCSE’s?

Two to three month before exam is the recommended time to begin your revision.

How many subjects should I study a day?

Study several topics each day rather of concentrating on just one or two. To stay focused, it’s better to study a variety of subjects each day than to spend a lot of time on just one or two.

Are IGCSE stressful?

IGCSE preparation is undoubtedly a stressful time for the majority of 14- to 16-year-olds.

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