How to revise so you remember
Tips for Effective Revision
Many students equate revising with reading / re-reading information and writing/re-writing notes. These are boring, time-consuming and often ineffective ways to revise, as they are passive.
To be effective revision needs to be
active not passive
Tip 1 - Understand information before committing it to memory
It can be tempting to learn information without understanding it, as doing so requires less effort in the short-term.
While marks can be gained from simply regurgitating information, higher grades are achieved by demonstrating a more in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Plus, it is much easier to commit information to memory once it is fully understood.
If students do not understand a topic, they need to revise. Lots of brilliant online resources exist to help improve understanding.
This FREE e-book details Online Resources to Help Learners Exceed Expectations.
Click on the image above for more information
Tip 2 - Instead of just reading try listening at the same time
Electronic textbooks, webpages, typed notes, anything read on a device can be read aloud. Revision is all about embedding information into the brain in a way that can be recalled easily. The more senses used when learning the better.
The combination of reading out aloud and listening engages more areas of the brain and reduces the chances of having to reread the same text multiple times, which is both time-consuming, boring and demotivating.
Tip 3 - Explain it
Students should ask themselves ‘how would I teach/explain this subject?’ When you can teach a certain subject, you know that you have really understood it.
It is important that students explain what’s been learned in their own words, rather than just reading out loud.
Unfortunately, most students hate answering the question “What did you learn today?” However, explaining what was learnt that day is an excellent way of consolidating learning.
Tip 4 - Self testing
The most highly effective form of active learning is testing yourself. The technical term for this is retrieval practice.
RETRIEVAL PRACTICE IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF EFFECTIVE REVISION
Self testing requires far more effort than other forms of revision. It is more effective than reading/rereading, taking notes and creating and recreating mind-maps/posters.
The additional effort required in self-testing is known as ‘desirable difficulty’. Whilst this process is more challenging than other methods of revision, it is more effective because it helps achieve great results.
There are many ways to test knowledge, these include:
Simply covering the page
Flashcards
Revision apps
Completing past papers
‘desirable difficulty’ helps embed knowledge & the ability to recall
Tip 5 - Create powerpoint slides
I’ve known students who would rather die than read textbooks and then try to remember content, but they are more receptive to the idea of creating PowerPoints to explain a topic.
Students often enjoy being creative, finding online pictures to illustrate points, and creating headings and bullet points. While being creative, they are actively learning the content.
Tip 6 - Use a voice recorder
Recording and listening back is a great way of revising.
Verbalising what needs to be learned, helps to clarify thinking and embed facts.
Reading out loud is a more effective way to remember information than reading a passage silently or just hearing it read by someone else. The dual effect of both speaking and hearing helps to hard wire information.
Listening back to these recordings can be done while performing other tasks, like walking, tidying or even eating! So it enables busy students to multitask.
I don’t recommend recording long pages of notes, only key information that students find hard to remember. When students listen back, they can even stop to test themselves. For some, this is a very effective way of committing information to memory.
Tip 7 - Video recording
Few people like watching themselves on video, nonetheless, videoing oneself explaining or teaching a topic can be extremely helpful.
Watching it back will enable students to critique their teaching and assess what could have been explained better?
Tip 8 - Use FREE revision apps
There are many different types of revision app. More and more study guide publishers are making revision apps available.
Flashcard apps allow you to create your own flashcards and use the huge database of quizzes and learning materials to save you time. I use Quizlets which is VERY effective.
Tip 9 - Use past papers and mark schemes
Completing past papers is one of the most effective ways to revise. Exams are not only a test of knowledge, they also test exam technique and time management.
Exam boards supply a wealth of information free of charge, including past papers and mark schemes, model answers and examiners reports.
Many exam boards also have helpful advice on revising and sitting exams. Here are links to a few UK exam board websites.
How to use past papers
If answering a past paper seems like a daunting task, students can:
Start by doing a section or question ‘open book’, i.e. referring to notes and text books.
Use the mark schemes to mark their own work.
Marking their own work teaches students to think like an examiner.
Understanding how marks are allocated helps students develop exam technique.
Afterwards, answer the same question under exam conditions.
Important information on mark schemes
Some essay subject mark schemes are insufficient to meaningfully mark work. In these cases, it is wise to consult the Examiners Reports and Exemplar Answers. Exam boards, teachers, tutors and revision guides have exemplar or model answers.
Tip 10 - Learn to think like an examiner
A common mistake students often make is failing to mark their own work.
When model answers are supplied, it is tempting to simply read them. It is, however, far more valuable if students:
· First attempt to answer the question without help.
· Then compare their answers to the model/exemplar answers.
Although this process is more difficult and time-consuming, it will result in the student learning far more.
In this way, students work out if they have understood what the examiner was looking for and how they might improve their answer.
Tip 11 - Practise time management
Before sitting exams, it is wise for students to complete whole past papers under exam conditions (including extra time if applicable).
Doing past exam papers helps students learn the vital skill of time management. Exams don’t only test knowledge, they also test time management skills.
exams test time management as well as knowledge
It's highly frustrating when students don’t achieve the grades they are capable of due to poor time management rather than a lack of revision and knowledge.
