Top 10 revision tips for exam success

Take these simple steps to help you achieve the best possible grades this summer

Exam revision is an essential part of school and college life. It helps us consolidate our learning, retain important information, and prepare ourselves for exams. However, revision can be a daunting task, and it can be difficult to know where to start.

Here’s our top 10 revision tips to help you make the most out of your study time.

Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start your revision. Start as early as possible, so you have enough time to cover all the material and go over the difficult concepts multiple times.

Break it down: Break down your revision into smaller chunks, so it becomes more manageable. This approach can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and make the revision process less intimidating.

Create a study plan: Create a study plan that outlines what you need to cover, when you will cover it, and how long you will spend on each topic. This can help you stay organised and focused.

Practise active recall: Instead of passively reading your notes or textbook, practise active recall. This means testing yourself on what you’ve learned and recalling it from memory. This approach has been shown to be more effective than simply reading or highlighting.

Use memory aids: Use memory aids such as flashcards, mnemonics and acronyms to help you remember important information. These tools can be particularly helpful for memorising lists, formulas and other details.

Study in short bursts: Studies have shown that studying in short bursts of 20-30 minutes, followed by a short break, can be more effective than studying for long periods. This approach can help you stay focused and retain more information.

Mix it up: Instead of studying one subject for an extended period, mix up your revision by switching between different subjects. This approach can help you avoid boredom and keep your mind engaged.

Use past papers: Practising past papers can help you get familiar with the types of questions that may appear on exams and help you identify areas where you need to focus your revision.

Take breaks: Taking regular breaks during your revision can help you recharge your brain and improve your concentration. Take a short walk, do some stretching exercises or simply take some deep breaths.

Stay positive: Finally, stay positive and believe in yourself. Revision can be challenging, but with the right mindset, approach and support, you can achieve your academic goals.

In conclusion, revision is an essential part of the academic process, and it is crucial to approach it in a structured, organised, and effective way. By following these 10 revision tips, you can make the most out of your study time and achieve academic success.

For Online Learning Resources to support your studies click here.

Adult students shine as CONEL celebrates excellent GCSE results

Adult students excelled in this year’s GCSE results at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) with more than half achieving high grades in maths.

The college saw 56.8 per cent of students aged 19 or over pass their maths exam with high 9 to 4 grades while 46.1 per cent of adults were awarded top grades in English.

Students taking their GCSEs were sitting exams for the first time since the COVID pandemic with many studying them alongside full-time courses and some without English as a first language.

Overall CONEL saw 30.9 per cent of students achieve high grades of 9 to 4 in English and 30.5 per cent attain 9 to 4 grades in maths with many going on to further study or employment.

Hanieh Damer Cheli, 33, achieved a grade 9 in maths and a 5 in English along with a 9 in GCSE Combined Science. She now hopes to study A Levels or an Access to Higher Education Diploma.

She said: “I couldn’t sleep and woke up at 4am! I was so nervous that I asked my friend to check my results. I was predicted 8 or 9 in maths.  I was expecting a bit higher in English, but I’ve still got good grades.

“My English teacher was fantastic. She was so caring and kind and really paid attention to her students. I felt confident about my knowledge going into the exam. I’m so happy, and I can now plan for my future. This is the first step to university, but I know I can do it.”

Lwin McLay, Kamile Dilberoglu, Mahsa Moradaghay, Besjana Begaj and Habibeh Esmaeil Zadeh all attained a grade 8 in maths.

Lwin, 45, who also completed an AAT Accounting Level 3 Diploma and is now progressing to Level 4, said: “I was very excited when I got my result. My tutor was excellent and helped us prepare well for the exam. He knew his subject and all the topics that were going to be covered this year.

“He gave us all the information and laid out all the resources we needed, and we also did a lot of past exam papers in class. As long as you put in the work and study, you can achieve anything.”

Mahsa Moradaghay and Lwin McLay who both achieved a grade 8 in maths and Andy Brenya who attained a 6 in English and a 7 in maths.

Andy Brenya, 19, gained a 6 in English and a 7 in maths while also studying for the first year of an Applied Science Level 3 Diploma, which he is expected to complete next summer.

He said: “The teaching at CONEL was very good. In English my teacher broke everything down, which made it very easy. In maths they did everything to help me understand and we would have tests every week. It gave me the confidence I needed going into the exam.”

CONEL offers A Levels at its Enfield Centre through its City and Islington College (CANDI) Sixth Form Hub. It also offers vocational courses at its Tottenham and Enfield Centres in Accounting, Business, Construction, Engineering, Creative Media, Health and Social Care, Childcare, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Computing, Music, Public Services, Science, Sport, Teacher Education and Travel and Tourism.

The college also offers a wide range of apprenticeships with top employers across London through Capital City College Training enabling you to earn while you learn.

Kurt Hintz, Executive Principal of Capital City College Group, which includes CONEL, said: “I would like to congratulate all our GCSE students on an excellent set of results this year.

“It is a tribute to their hard work and resilience and the dedication and support of our teachers and staff that they have achieved the grades they deserve. I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Places are still available at CONEL this September. Find out more about our courses and apprenticeships here and enrol today.

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