GCSE Exams & Revision – Graham School, Scarborough | Part of the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust

Preparing for exams

At Graham School we recognise that exams are a stressful but important time. We believe that by following some simple rules anyone can be successful in their exams

“Failing to plan is planning to fail”
Allen Lakein

We have put together a handy guide for parents/carers which focuses on revision matters and exam techniques.

Link: Parent/Carer Preparation Guide

In simple terms students need to:

– Plan their time
– Create a suitable place to work
– Plan WHAT to learn
– Plan HOW they will learn
– Make sure they build time for rest into their exam planners and revision timetables

Exam Rules and Regulations:

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Instructions for Candidates

This useful video is all about the rules we all have to follow:

Planning time and useful hints

We ensure that all Year 11 students have the tools they need to succeed with revision through our Year 11 revision skills day, ‘walking, talking mocks’ and our weekly exam preparation sessions that are built into the Year 11 tutor programme. Useful hints include:

When creating a revision timetable the key is to be honest and realistic. Build in time to rest, in addition to mapping out the time that will be spent on subject content.
Start early. Revision is reinforcing old knowledge, not learning anything new.
Throughout your time at Graham School get into best practice. Do homework at set times, meet all deadlines.
Plan from your exams and work backwards, build in birthdays etc. Be realistic.
Somewhere to work – ensure that you have a quiet, calm place to work. If you struggle with this at home, see your Head of Year for help and support.
Everyone needs a flat surface. Beds just do not work!
Good lighting. You need to be able to see!
Start early – all homework needs to be completed in these conditions. Get into best routines.

Plan what you will learn

There is no point revising what you already know really well and can apply. Work out what you need to know, and what you don’t know. This is what you must concentrate on.
Test yourself to establish how well you know something. Traffic light it:
Green – I know it and can apply it
Amber – I mostly know it but struggles to explain it
Red – No-idea!

Plan how you will learn

Everyone learns in different ways, some of the following everyone MUST do but some suit only some people and subjects. Try different methods but remember you need to learn a topic but then you really want to be able to explain and teach it.

Making notes and summarising
Flash cards
Mindmaps
Quizzes
Past exam papers
Testing yourself with your friends

We are very proud of the academic achievement and believe this is in no small part to teaching students how to learn and work independently.

Further information

Should you have an urgent question, please contact Mr A Moore – Head of Year 11.

Useful websites that support learning are: GCSEPod; GCSE Bitesize; Get revising; mymaths; s-cool; Linguascope; pinpoint learning; Justmaths online registering and engaging with these sites will ensure you can practise the skills learnt in lessons.

Using The student room revision planner will help you to map out your studies over the weeks ahead.

SAM Learning

GCSE Pod

hegartymaths

Information for parents

We appreciate that being a Year 11 parent or carer can be challenging. There are many things you can do to support your child and to help them to do their best in their exams.

There is a useful guide for parents which can be downloaded here which we can recommend:

The GCSE Survival Guide – a free handbook for parents — Tassomai.

Here to help

If you have any questions about any aspect of GCSE exams please contact the school and we will be happy to help you.