Examination preparation 2024

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Welcome

Part one Becky Ridings - academic strategies to support excellent examination preparation

Part two Jason Stanley - hints and tips to support wellness and wellbeing through the examination season

The Roadmaps

GCSE Roadmap

Stage 1 Y10 summer exams

Stage 2 Y11 November mocks

A Level Roadmap

Stage 1 Y12 summer exams

Stage 2 UCAS predicted grades and resits

Stage 3 Y13 January mocks

Stage 3 March mocks

Stage 4 Y11 GCSE examinations

Stage 4

Stage 4 Y13 April assessments

Stage 5 Y13 A Level examinations

Where can I find information and resources?

The 5 Step plan

1.Get organised

2.Audit your strengths and weaknesses

3.Plan of action

4.Active revision

5.Test knowledge and understanding

Step 1: Get organised

• Use the exam Preparation Materials to be specific about what you need to revise

• Ensure your online notes/folders and hardcopy exercise books/folders are organised to align to the specification of each subject

• Make sure your home study space is free of distractions and that you have the resources you need in each subject

Step 2: Audit strengths and weaknesses

• Use the exam Preparation Materials to conduct an audit of content, understanding AND assessment

• Give each area of each component/unit a RAG rating

• Make a list of the red, amber and green topics for each subject - in that order! Use the ‘target setting’ part of the guide

• Prioritise the reds - ‘eat the frog’ - you these will be the areas of your subjects you find the toughest

Step 3: Plan of action

•Make a plan to feel in control of your time

•Prioritise holidays, family time and other commitments and work around them

•Use interleaving to space subjects evenly

•Create a revision timetable but don’t spend long on it!

•Some students like the app Flora

Step 4: Active revision

• Active and engaged, not passive

• Use a range of resources

• Must be focused on assessment questions, not generic or vague

• Use the exam Preparation Materials subject specificrecommendations

• Retrieval practice

Step 5: Test knowledge and understanding

•Build your ability to perform in an exam gradually…

• Attempt without time restrictions and open book

• Then, closed book

• Then, under timed conditions

•ALWAYS…

• Use writing scaffolds and structures provided

• Mark using mark schemes and examiner reports

• Make adjustments and improvements in another colour

Issues with revision

“I don’t know how to revise”

Problem

• I haven’t found a quick and easy way to learn the information

• But, there is no magic bullet!

Solution

• There is also no one size fits all

• Mix things up so that you don’t get bored with revision

• Never stick to just one revision strategy

• Don’t try and predict what will come up

• Retrieval practice most effective form

“I revised really hard for this, but I didn’t get a good grade”

Problem

• Read through notes

• Highlight notes

• Copy out notes

• Make flashcards but don’t learn content

• Make mindmaps but don’t learn them

• Underestimate how long revision will take

• Distractions e.g. phone

Solution

• Condensing notes/folding frenzy

• Mindmaps to make synoptic links or create collaboratively

• Try and explain a difficult concept to your parents

• Put the phone in another room

• Phones make you feel more negative

• You can’t compete with Silicon Valley!

“I know what I mean, I just can’t explain it”

Problem

• Read through notes

• Highlight notes

• Copy out notes

• Make flashcards but don’t learn content

• Make mindmaps but don’t learn them

• Underestimate how long revision will take

• Distractions e.g. phone

Solution

• Don’t spend too long on a revision timetable

• Don’t waste time revising what you already know

• Learn your key terms

• Spacing – helps put knowledge in long term memory

“I knew the content; I just didn’t know how to structure it”

Problem

• Not having enough knowledge in longterm memory

• Not learning the skills needed on top of the knowledge

Solution

• Know the command words

• Know AOs for subjects

• For most subjects at A Level there will be no more than 1/3 of the marks for knowledge – need to know how to apply knowledge e.g. evaluation skills

“I ran out of time”

Problem

• Did not learn content (needed too much thinking time in exam)

• Didn’t do enough practice under timed conditions

Solution

• Know how much you can write in 1015 minutes

• Learn how to write faster

• Learn how to write in a concise manner

Top tips

• Use Pomodoro technique (see revision guide)

• If they use a word processor in an exam then type, if they don’t then don’t

• Make the most of clinic and teaching opportunities

NOW if students have any confusion over content and concepts

• Communicate – stay in contact with your teachers

Top tips

• Record key concepts onto your phone

• Hydrate and healthy snacks –look after your body as stamina is required

• Sleep – how much does the average teenager need?

• Think positive – “I don’t know x…YET” and “if…then” is helpful for anxiety

• Rest breaks and movement snacks

• No distractions – phones out of the room!

How can you help them?

• Sleep: make sure they get 9 hours and that this is routine

• Stay calm yourself!

• Give them healthy snacks and drinks and make sure they eat breakfast

• Be there if they need a break and encourage them to take breaks

• Ask them questions (test them on their knowledge)

• Check up on them to see if they are doing work (remove distractions for them if necessary)

• Make sure they get fresh air

• Do not let them have a phone in bed

• Drop hints about doing some revision!

Study leave for Year 11 and 13

● We will do our best to ensure that teachers are available for help and support during the lessons that have been vacated

● Contact teachers in advance to let them know if pupils wish to come in and receive support

● Pupils need to be specific with what they want to achieve - ie. specific advice and guidance on a particular topic or question or if you have work to mark and you would like feedback

● Good idea to maintain the rhythm of the school day throughout study leave to maintain healthy and positive work habits

Study leave for Year 10 and 12

● No normal lessons during study leave period

● Pupils can come in to study between examinations

● Private study available in the New Dining Room for Year 10 and in the Sixth Form Centre for Year 12

● Good idea to maintain the rhythm of the school day throughout study leave to maintain healthy and positive work habits

● Dedicated feedback week following exams to reflect on performance and effectiveness of preparation. Follow up parents’ evenings in Summer Term to set targets for next stage in the roadmap

During the exam period - in general

● Make time for things you enjoy. Find ways to release stress and celebrate progress. You could listen to music, draw, cook, play with a pet or go for a walk. You can try things alone or with friends.

● Talk to others about how you feel. Connect with other people, especially people who are going through the same thing.

● Try to find balance. Take regular breaks and be realistic about what you can do in a day. Keep things in perspective and remember that exams won't last forever.

● Take care of your physical health. Make sure you get enough sleep, food, water and exercise. If you take regular medication, keep up with your routine.

● Focus on yourself. Try not to compare yourself to others. Think of things you like about yourself and what you're good at – this can help boost your confidence.

On the day of the exam

● Prepare your items the night before. Get everything you need ready to take with you, like pens and water for your exam.

● Start your day the best you can. Try to eat breakfast and make sure you have enough time to arrive at your exam without rushing.

● Take your time. Read the exam carefully and plan what you need to do before answering.

● Remind yourself that it'll be over soon. You've done your best and that's all you can do.

After the exam

Try not to compare your answers to others. If possible, avoid talking to other people about the questions, comparing answers or looking up answers online.

Reward yourself. Think of something to do afterwards that you enjoy. You could go out with your friends, play video games, or eat your favourite food.

Focus on next steps. Plan what you'll do next, like going home, doing something fun, then revising for the next exam. Think ahead in a positive way – if you have another exam, focus on the time and date that it'll be over.

Relax before your next exam. The stress from doing an exam can leave you feeling exhausted. You might find it hard to revise again before you take a break.

Q&A