Revision strategy 1: traffic lighting!

We are quickly approaching exam season and stress levels are beginning to rise.

Parents and pupils know that now is the time for revision but knowing that and putting it into practice are two very different things! So over the next couple of weeks I am going to share some tried and tested tips to boost revision and help grow that all important confidence.

Organisation is key to revision and exam preparation. Pupils need to know exactly what will be assessed in each exam- this is referred to by the exam board as the specification. If not provided by subject teachers this information is easily accessible on exam board websites and should be used as the foundation for all revision - just make sure pupils know which exam board their exams will be set by as they do cover different topics (If in doubt check with the school).

Print out or make notes on the list of information that needs to be covered for each subject and keep in a folder. This then should serve as a checklist for everything that pupils need to know because the specifications essentially set out all the topics and subtopics that can be in an exam.

I recommend for pupils to work through the specification checklist for each subject and 'traffic light it'. This means identifying what is already known and understood (green) what is partially known and understood (amber) and what is not known or understood (red). This will generate a list of priorities for revision in each subject from the red topics. Pupils often want to review topics they already fully know and understand but they really need to focus instead on what they do not know or understand in order to improve and grow in confidence so the red topics are crucial! If pupils are really struggling with motivation then starting with an amber topic (what is partially known and understood) can also provide a boost and build confidence.