Reassessment toolkit: your guide to success

The key to good revision is planning. This starts with knowing what it is that you need to revise. Make sure you have a list of all topic areas and then consider grading these based on your knowledge and confidence and, of course, any feedback you have been offered. This will help you to plan your revision based on the proportion of time you need to allocate to each topic. You will need to also think about when you will begin your revision, calculate how much time you have and then consider how, when and where you study best. You will find more information on making a plan in the following sections.

As for revision techniques, you are probably aware that active revision strategies work much more effectively than passive revision. This means that you need to:

• Make sense of the information by connecting it to your existing knowledge
• Consider how you will be tested on this knowledge by looking at past papers and practice answering questions with and without your notes, and in timed blocks.
• Create mind-maps, flashcards and memory aids to help with recall
• Consider what works well for you, to keep yourself engaged. This would mean considering the time of day you revise, ensuring you take regular breaks and mixing up revision techniques throughout the day.
• Make yourself a realistic revision timetable that takes account of other demands on your time and how you study best.  
• In addition, remember it is important that you continue to look after yourself. Take regular breaks, drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet and take some time to relax.

• Every time you get a question wrong in practice, note the topic, the mistake type (e.g. calculation slip, misunderstood concept) and how you’ll fix it.
• Break things up. If your exam has multiple topics chose perhaps two to focus on per day and switch between the two every hour. This helps keep things interesting and if you hit a wall, switch and come back when your mind’s had a break.
• Teach the topics to someone else - a housemate, friend, family member or record a video for a private Instagram page! That way you learn through teaching and there are revision videos ready.
• If you can, try and study outside of your room/in a different environment if you find it hard to get work done at home.
• Create a playlist of music you only use while revising and your brain will learn to associate that music with focus and recall.
• Use apps like Forest, Freedom, or Flora to block social media and notifications during study blocks to avoid distractions.
• Slot in treats such as hanging out with a friend, a walk in the park, or a half hour of gaming to avoid burnout.

You need to revise for the type of exam that you have. For instance, if you know your paper will mainly consist of short answer questions, you will need to spend time ensuring you remember key terms and definitions, and are able to write succinctly. Essay style answers will require more in-depth knowledge; you’ll likely to need to have theories, concepts and examples at your fingertips and will need to practice structuring lengthy answers and creating arguments.  Don’t try to second guess what may come up in a paper; remember that all the syllabus is examinable, so you do need to have an understanding of all topics. For more information on how to revise for different forms of exam, see our guide below

If your exam is in person, make sure you know the location and how you will get there. Also ensure you have all the equipment you need (calculator, pens, pencils etc.) and you are aware of the rules. You can find out more here:

If you are doing online exams you will want to check how these will run, for example: how long do you have? When will you be able to begin? etc. You will also want to ensure your computer is ready and you know how to upload your answers.

You may also need your candidate number, if so, make sure you have this to hand.

You can find out more on preparing for online exams here: 

It’s natural to be nervous, because you care, but try to use these nerves to help you. Anxiety is natural and can help us to focus and think more clearly, so we can perform at our best. Remember, this is your chance to show your marker what you have learned and understand. When you enter the exam room:

1. Make sure you read all the instructions carefully.
2. If you haven’t done so already, work out your timings. How long can you spend on each section and question?
3. Once the exam has started, read all questions carefully before selecting the ones you wish to answer (if there is a choice)
4. Decide on the order you choose to answer them. If you’re worried you might forget some key topics, you might want to write some quick notes about them before you begin.
5. Underline the key words in the question and, if it requires a lengthy answer, write a brief plan before you begin. Structure is still important, as is having a clear introduction and conclusion.
6. Do keep an eye on the time and move on, leaving a space, as your plan dictates.
7. If you find your mind going blank, read back through what you have written or if you’re trying to recall something take a deep breath and try to picture your notes. If you can’t progress with that answer, leave a gap and come back to it later.
8. Running out of time? Be economical with the time you have left, focusing on points and evidence. Put down your answer in bullet form to maximise your chance of getting points.
9. Don’t leave the exam early. Spend any extra time going back over your answers, add anything that may now occur to you and ensure you have answered any questions that you left blank earlier.
10. Check through your final answers. If numerical, do they look reasonable, check for any errors in calculations.