I have found as I navigate my way through parenting four kids to adulthood is that things definitely do NOT get easier as they get older. Oh, sure, there’s definitely less sleeping/eating worries, and much less cleaning of bodily fluids. But other big stuff comes along and completely knocks your I’ve-got-this parenting confidence sideways.
One of those is the exams. I swear it isn’t THAT long since I took my own exams (listen, if I say it wasn’t, it wasn’t, okay?) – and I did pretty good in most of mine. But in the space between mine and theirs things have changed. Like, a LOT.
Oh, I can still hold my own in a discussion on the themes of Romeo and Juliet. But GCSE Maths contains things I didn’t even know existed when I was 15 (degrees are divided by minutes? Really?). And I only did GCSE Biology (well I did Chemistry too, but I got a D…), so help with the Physics elements of Combined Science? Nup, probably shouldn’t look at me.
And the revision is way more technical now, too. You have your revision Guides, which are ace for jotting notes on, you can tie them in to your own class notes, stick post-it notes in, keep notes on them from YouTube videos….
But then you don’t just need to know your subject. You need to know how to take the exam – a whole art in and of itself these days. So Practice Papers are an essential part of any GCSE-studying teens kit. Crack these, and on exam day they’ll feel far less stressed about the unknown – they’ll know what to expect in terms of layout and timings, they’ll know how to work out the marking scheme and perform accordingly, and they’ll know the pitfalls of the question wording.
And we have a whole BUNDLE of Collins’ Practice Papers to give away to one lucky GCSE student – alongside a nice little £50 ASOS voucher to cheer up their exam-stressed brain.
To enter, just use the magic widget below – closing date is the 17th of November, and first name out of the cyber hat wins. Good Luck!
Win a complete Letts ‘GCSE In A Week’ PLUS Spotify Premium!
28 October 2019
Take plenty of breaks to let the knowledge sink in.
30 October 2019
Make sure you don’t give up your sports time or exercise while you’re revising. It helps keep you awake and boosts your brainpower!
18 March 2020
Write a revision timetable but be realistic about how much work you will do and allow time for breskd
31 October 2019
Make a revision timetable and take short, frequent breaks during your revision.
5 November 2019
Preparation is key. Always organise what you’re going to do, when and for hoe long to reduce stress and help prevent exhaustion
17 November 2019
My top tip is to write and write again! “I had notebooks full of notes!
28 October 2019
Do lots of practice papers and mark them yourself using the mark scheme so you learn what examiners are looking for.
28 October 2019
Stay calm, you don’t take information in when you’re cramming or panicking about exams. Allow plenty of time and take advantage of any revision classes at school.
28 October 2019
Do 30 mins at a time then have a 5 mins break
12 November 2019
Make a revision schedule and take plenty of breaks to not burn yourself out. This is what I have been doing with my daughter with mock exams looming and taking advantage of studying groups after school
29 October 2019
Have lots of breaks during revision time and leave your phone outside the room!
8 November 2019
Make sure you have a nice quiet place to concentrate and lots of food and drink!
29 October 2019
Lots of family support, revision notes and guides, balancing revision with relaxing.
15 November 2019
Revision notes and schedule revision on helps stick to the plan
29 October 2019
Have a timetable to stick to and know what you need to revise for each session
31 October 2019
Keep hydrated, make yourself a conducive atmosphere either with music or with quiet, plenty of good quality snack and remember not to panic x
17 November 2019
Make sure you eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids otherwise you tend to lack concentration
31 October 2019
Stay organised and revise in short bursts so you can stay focused
31 October 2019
take breaks dont overdo it
31 October 2019
dont leave it all to the last minute and drink plenty and get fresh air
8 November 2019
Bullet points and mind maps
17 November 2019
Mark the key points and words with highlighter. Easy to revise at the end moments.
31 October 2019
Explain/tell someone about what you are studying. If they understand then you have a good grapse of the topic and helps you work out which bits you need to revise more.
31 October 2019
Plan your revision using a timetable.
31 October 2019
Little and often helps the information stay in
31 October 2019
have plenty of breaks
31 October 2019
Try to revise a consistant amount every day =- even if it’s just 20 minutes – try not to revise for too long at a time and have regular breaks for water
31 October 2019
Keep hydrated and eat well, you can’t focus if you are dehydrated or hungry.
1 November 2019
Work for an hour then take half an hour off and get plenty of sleep
1 November 2019
Start as early as you can in the day so you can unwind in the evening.
1 November 2019
education videos are good and quizzes
1 November 2019
Revise bits in bite-sizes so you don’t get bored and more chance of retaining the information.
1 November 2019
use little revision cards and make plenty of notes!
2 November 2019
create a peaceful place where you can revise in comfort without interuptions and remember you can only do your best so as long as you are trying your hardest you should be proud of yourself
2 November 2019
Plan a schedule for each different subject and make sure you schedule in breaks!
2 November 2019
Make revision cards to break down the information and make it easier to remember
2 November 2019
Work out how you best revise – for some it’s writing things down as a list, for others it’s more pictorial – work out what works best for you.
3 November 2019
Pace yourself. Set aside a little time each day instead of trying to cram it all in at the end
3 November 2019
do it when your mind feels most active,
3 November 2019
My tip is so make a schedule so you know what times ect you have to get revision done
3 November 2019
Make lots of revision cards and put relaxing music and incense sticks on when revising xx
4 November 2019
Vary your revision with different activities
4 November 2019
Make a revision timetable and stick to it.
9 November 2019
Don’t stress, find out how you learn best and do it yourself way. Repetition, colour codes etc
4 November 2019
Don’t leave it until last until last minute to revise
17 November 2019
Little and often. And give yourself a treat afterwards.
5 November 2019
Make notes, use mind maps and other tools, take regular breaks
5 November 2019
Make little cards of things to remember and put them on your wall and around
6 November 2019
Dont rush, allow yourself time and breaks
6 November 2019
Take time out don’t over do it and stress out too much little and often
7 November 2019
Revise in bite size chunks. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to take in too much at once x
7 November 2019
Start early in the year and make your revision plan realistic including social times in it. Keep your notes in order so that when you come to revise it makes sense.
8 November 2019
Practice, practice & practice! – do as many past GCSE papers as you can ?
8 November 2019
Break everything down into bite-sized chunks and to make sure you’re taking regular breaks – you can only take so much information in, in one go.
8 November 2019
Do not leave revision to the last minute – continual bite size chunks are best. Be organised – have an achievable plan and be disciplined enough to stick to it. Build in break times – and make sure these include fresh air & exercise – it’s good & healthy for your body & mind.
8 November 2019
Do plenty of past papers
8 November 2019
Fill in revision cards from day one of studies, it saves a lot of time in the long run when it comes to exam time saving more of that time for studies
8 November 2019
The best thing I found for revision was to teach somebody else – eg. present it all to a family member, or write it up as a blog post. You’re more likely to understand it that way rather than just memorise it.
8 November 2019
mine always has to be start early don’t leave it until you’re overwhelmed! failing to prepare is preparing to fail x
8 November 2019
Don’t leave everything to the last minute as I did.
8 November 2019
Don’t try and do too much at one time, have a few breaks in between
8 November 2019
Make sure you are well rested before revising, Eat healthily and make sure you have breaks.
8 November 2019
Make a plan, start early, and timetable in mini-breaks to refresh yourself
8 November 2019
break it down into maneageable chunks
8 November 2019
Make lists of bullet points and put them up on a wall that you walk past many times each day reading them each time.
8 November 2019
Index cards! Summarise everything from your notes in bitesize chunks on the cards and get someone to pick them at random to test you.
8 November 2019
Do a little revising every day.
8 November 2019
Mine’s a bit of a strange one, but I guess that revision styles vary from person to person. I always felt that having my favourite music on in the background helped me. I know it seems counter intuitive, but I felt that it eased the stress and anxiety and allowed me to focus harder!
8 November 2019
You won’t learn as well if you’re tired or hungry. Eat proper meals, take rest breaks and get good sleep.
9 November 2019
Always use practice papers – past papers and Mark schemes -Plan your revision and build in social breaks and rest – eat well and sleep well – keep hydrated – have confidence that if you prepare well you will pass well !
9 November 2019
Revise in small chunks. Absolutely no more than 30 minutes at a time, on something really specific.
9 November 2019
Have break and keep fueled
9 November 2019
Trial different methods of revision and find what works for you.
9 November 2019
My top tip is putting post it notes EVERYWHERE. When I’m studying I revise when I’m making tea, answering the door or sitting on the toilet. When I’m in an exam it helps me visualise where in the house I learnt the answer to the question and it really really helps my memory.
10 November 2019
Essey practice – write your salient points on a spider diagram and then write essays around it, then get writing those points and whittle down to one word reminders – then there’s less to remember and that one word will make you remember the rest!
10 November 2019
I like mind maps, preferably with lots of highlighting and doodles.
10 November 2019
Exercise. It acts as a great stress reliever. I recommend the park run, held in parks across the country on Saturday mornings. So you’ll be out of bed in time to get lots of revision into your weekend.
10 November 2019
Start early and do little and often, making sure to have plenty of downtime too.
10 November 2019
revise in little time blocks, spending too long on one subject will make you get bored and distracted
10 November 2019
Find which method of revision works for you, people learn in different ways. Ask others what they do/did. Try not to stress!
10 November 2019
Devise a timetable for studying and try and keep to it. Organisation is everything!
11 November 2019
Don’t try and cram at the last minute as the pressure stops you performing at your best.
11 November 2019
Keep organized and take plenty of breaks. Too much information without breaks won’t sink in
11 November 2019
Make a revision timetable, set aside breaks and don’t leave it until the last minute
11 November 2019
Plan everything out to The very last detail.
11 November 2019
Take 30 minute breaks,so that you are absorbing what you are reading
11 November 2019
preparation is key but dont overdo it! make time for yourself to just enjoy yourself this relieves some of the stress and pressure of sitting gcses and dont be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
12 November 2019
Take regular breaks to avoid burnout.
12 November 2019
Plan your revision to get the maximum intake of knowledge.
12 November 2019
Make bullet points and have a friend test you from them
12 November 2019
Write things down. After reading something write your own notes, things seem to sink in better that way. Quiz yourself regularly and get family members involved to help!
12 November 2019
Little and often – get up and have a little wonder around, a cup of tea or just a little break to give your brain time to absorb what you are learning x
12 November 2019
The best revision advice is little and often – give your brain time to absorb what you are trying to get it to learn x
12 November 2019
My tip is to just do an hour at a time. Do an hour and then have a break before you get back to it.
12 November 2019
Just reading is never enough to take in the information – something always needs to be written
12 November 2019
When at school I spent hours revising, feeling guilty if I had a break. After leaving school and gaining a teaching qualification and then a degree I found short, sharp sessions much more effective.
12 November 2019
Lots of breaks & I love key points on sticky notes!
12 November 2019
Take plenty of breaks in between and dont try do to much in one night
12 November 2019
DO practice questions or papers, they really help with technique as well as knowledge.
13 November 2019
Stick to a revision timetable.
Do 30 mins then have a break and walk around.
Do cram just prepare
13 November 2019
i used to set certain times for certain subjects, also time for fun helps too
13 November 2019
Don’t leave it to last minute, prepare a plan always helps me nuckle down
13 November 2019
Revise at a set time every day but not too late. Make time to wind down before bed
14 November 2019
Take lots of breaks, drink plenty of water and brain food snack, if your feeling stressed or overwhelmed, tell someone.
14 November 2019
Start early and do not leave it to the last minute.
14 November 2019
Start early and work in a tidy clear space, do lots of practice papers and take regular breaks
14 November 2019
Lots of breaks and water is key but I would suggest revising little and often, Post it notes all over my room really helped with information I found difficult to retain.
14 November 2019
Go to the library where there’s not as many distractions
14 November 2019
Get yourself a white board and plan your revision timetable. Dont overdo it, make time for relaxation too.
15 November 2019
Start early and allow yourself plenty of downtime xx
15 November 2019
Write clear and concise notes. Revise little and often.
15 November 2019
Make sure you socialise with your friends still to give you a break from studying
15 November 2019
Post-it notes.. Everywhere. On the bathroom door, on your bed.. even on the sink. With quirky simple one line facts that might help you, for example I had a simple one which stated ‘cumulative graph = End’. which reminds me when creating that graph i need to plot the end point!
15 November 2019
Write lots of quick notes on revision cards. Then get someone to test you.
15 November 2019
Read everything out loud, it helps you memorise it
15 November 2019
the best way is to know your times table it should help you remember with answers.
16 November 2019
Set time aside every day make it a routine quite and calm
16 November 2019
take regular breaks
16 November 2019
Do little but often, take lots of refreshment breaks to keep you alert.
16 November 2019
Writing down key points helps them to go in. If you find you are not absorbing the information, then take a break and come back to it later.
16 November 2019
Make some flash cards.
16 November 2019
Sniff rosemary oil. According to some studies the smell can enhance your memory.
16 November 2019
Little and often
16 November 2019
Use visual, written and oral materials as you may be more likely to absorb some of the information is a written or oral form better
16 November 2019
Write notes and highlight key points
16 November 2019
Try and do revision throughout the year, not just at the last minute.
16 November 2019
I wish I’d listened to people telling me that GCSEs are not the be-all and end-all.
16 November 2019
Make lots of short notes and best to write them soon after the lectures – so you have full notes and quick revision notes (reminders of each areas)
16 November 2019
make it fun
16 November 2019
Make sure you fuel your brain with energy foods before revising otherwise your brain will fail to work
16 November 2019
Lots of water and coffee.
16 November 2019
Be organised, find a quiet spot, focus on subject and take regular breaks.
17 November 2019
Better to revise in short sessions with frequent breaks so the child doesn’t get overtired or bored.
17 November 2019
Do at least some of it in exam like conditions, it will mentally prepare you more.
17 November 2019
Take plenty of breaks when revising for drinking and eating and just resting don’t panic if you think it’s not going in or your running out of time it’s surprising what you do absorb so stay calm don’t worry and remember if it does all go wrong on the day it’s only an exam it can be sat again
17 November 2019
Make sure you schedule fun time in with the revision time or you won’t be able to stick to it for long.
17 November 2019
Don’t forget to eat & drink
17 November 2019
Little and often – don’t try to cram in too much information.
17 November 2019
Stay calm!! And do as many practice papers as possible!
17 November 2019
Take regular breaks
17 November 2019
Don’t leave it until the last minute!
17 November 2019
sometimes its good to revise with a friend, two can help each other with areas one isnt sure with
17 November 2019
revise little and often
17 November 2019
Start early, don’t leave until last minute and try to cram! Little and often and it will eventually sink in
17 November 2019
My tip is to make revision cards, they help massively. You can revise by yourself or get someone to help test you.
17 November 2019
Tell someone if you’re feeling panicky or overwhelmed. Go out and get some fresh air every day and try and keep up with your normal hobbies/activities that make you happy.
17 November 2019
Mind maps! I always find them useful
17 November 2019
Write information on Q cards, makes it easy to flip thru
17 November 2019
I would say eat a healthy balanced diet including fish and make sure you drink plenty of water. also, start revising as soon as you can and take plenty of little breaks ??
17 November 2019
Little and often works well. We also chat about what they’ve been learning about at the dinner table.
17 November 2019
do revision with friends as well and have fun time also k
17 November 2019
revise with friends
17 November 2019
My RE teacher said (and was completely right) revise for 45 minutes, have a break for 15, and never do more than 3 hours at a time. I still take professional exams, and everyone I’ve passed this advice on to says it works!
17 November 2019
Have a set time each day that you set aside for your revision that was it think you are far more productive and will spend the time more wisely!!
17 November 2019
My son has been using a website for revision since he chose his options
17 November 2019
Be organised, take breaks, reward yourself with little treats
17 November 2019
Little but often !!
17 November 2019
Stay focused & do your best, be organised & try to relax so your thoughts are clear
17 November 2019
Little and often, don’t leave it too late
17 November 2019
I always found that revising in short bursts was really helpful to me. And doing revision in a light, airy room and drink plenty of water x
17 November 2019
Record key facts and figures on a voice app and play them to yourself in bed,
17 November 2019
Pace yourself with the revision. Don’t overdo it or you won’t take anything in
17 November 2019
Go for a walk in the morning to wake you up before you tackle your revision.
17 November 2019
Lots of fresh air, healthy food and the odd bite of chocolate!
17 November 2019
Don’t stress take your time and have lots of breaks
17 November 2019
To have a revision plan with times, subjects and breaks so the rest of the family know what you’re doing and can be quieter/don’t disturb you
17 November 2019
To have a revision plan with times, subjects and breaks so the rest of the family know when you’re studying so don’t disturb you
17 November 2019
A nice quiet area helps to do revision, with drinks and snacks
17 November 2019
Do not revise more than 2 subjects in one day
17 November 2019
Make a revision timetable to reduce stress. Include relaxation/fun time on your revision timetable – it’ll stop you getting bored or frustrated
17 November 2019
Make revision cards, use highlighters to make key terms stand out
17 November 2019
make sure you get enough sleep and stick to a stritct bed time routine
17 November 2019
Don’t overdo it. Take breaks and socialise as well as study. Plan your revision and see what works for you.
17 November 2019
Start early and do revision little and often. Ask for help early, so you’re revising rather than having to learn things
17 November 2019
Its good to plan ahead so make a revision timetable, and don’t leave it last minute you’ll always regret it :)
17 November 2019
Give yourself breaks and rewards every so often so you don’t over do it and have something to keep you motivated.
17 November 2019
Find a way that works for you – videos / flash cards/ mind maps
17 November 2019
Don’t leave revision until the last minute
17 November 2019
Do all the past papers you can find. Nothing like realistic practice.
17 November 2019
Don’t assume that revisions methods that work for your friends will work for you – try different types to see what’s right for you
17 November 2019
My tip.is to ask for help. Do not let it bog you down. Parents can help by making it fun. Playing games or quizzes really help.
17 November 2019
Get a somebody to revise with you, keeping you focused.
17 November 2019
Get a somebody to revise with you, keeping you focused.
3 May 2020
lots of breaks inbetween revising and keep hydrated to help with concentration