How to Revise GCSE Science

Success in science isn't just about the hours you put in, it's about what you do with them. Below are some suggestions on study technique, a few ideas to help if you're not sure where to start.

1. Consolidate and organise your notes - how often do you look at your class book or notes between lessons? Can you read your notes? Have you lost that worksheet your teacher gave you? Organising your work is a good way to stay on top of workload and saves time later. Consolidating notes works as a gentle form of active revision and will help revision further down the line. You can even add things like mind maps to your notes to help.

   
   

2. Make flashcards for each topic - you can buy flashcards but it is a useful part of revision to make your own (and it can be fun). Use the specification (applicable to your exam board) to help make them, they list by topic all the points you need to know for the exam. Once you've made them, you can quiz your friends.

   
   

3. Teach someone else - there's nothing quite like trying to explain a theory or process to someone else, to test if you really understand it yourself. Try it with a friend or family member (they don't have to know if it's correct or not). Think out loud as you do it (this helps!).

   
   

4. Practice questions, calculations, and past paper questions - have you ever looked at a question or calculation and thought, I know the answer? It's not the same as doing it, active revision is needed to produce results. Pick up a pen and write out the answer, do the calculation, show all working, practice the past paper questions.

   
   

5. Mark your own work - when you practice past paper questions, use the published marking scheme to mark your own work. This is actually incredibly useful as it helps you to understand the criteria required, you gain a better understanding of the language you need to use and you can see where you dropped marks (and you will be less likely to drop the same marks in the future).

Remember, it is better to revise little and often throughout the year, rather than cramming at the last minute. Frequently reviewing your work will result in a deeper understanding and you will be better equipped and more confident for the final written exam.

Everyone finds some topics difficult, the key is perseverance. If you keep showing up, science will start making sense.

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