Getting ready for exams

As students are working hard to get ready for the summer exams, OCR’s Subject Specialists (all former teachers) share their tips for successful revision:  

Preparation

“Get organised – make a revision plan and stick to it. Do plan some down time as well as revision time so you don’t get burnt out. 

Use your teacher and get their feedback.  No teacher will ever complain about a student doing extra independent study and will happily give you feedback on your work.

Complete as many past papers as you can and be strict with the timing.  Make your practice as realistic as possible.”

Ed Stokes, Subject Specialist - English and Creative

Mix it up

“Your revision needs to be active and varied; try creating a collage of images for each topic with detailed labels. You could also devise a song or story using all the key words from each topic. 

What about creating a revision group with a few friends? Become an expert on a topic and teach it to the group!

Try to vary the location you revise, and if it’s nice weather do some in a garden or park.”

Abi Carter, Subject Specialist – Geography

“Why not use your smart phone if you have one? You can record things you want to remember and listen back to them. The Recordium app is a useful way to record and share notes with friends. 

You could also write information you want to learn on a sheet of paper and take a picture of it with your phone, then set it as a background on the phone so it’s visible every time you look at it.

Try making some revision place mats:  on a sheet of paper, write down key things to memorise, laminate your list and use it as a place mat at dinner or a mouse mat for your computer.”

Darren Macey, Subject Specialist – Maths

General advice

Remember to eat well, get enough sleep, take regular breaks and get some exercise when you can. Breathing exercises and meditation are both good ways to help you to stay calm and focus.

On the day of your exam

Set your alarm to make sure you can get to your school or college in good time and you can begin your exam in as calm a state of mind as possible.

Make sure you've got everything you need to take into the exam hall. If you are unsure what’s permitted, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has a useful list of instructions on materials and equipment (which DOES NOT include your phone!) that are allowed into the exam room and exam room conduct.