Becky Dawson has over 20 years of experience in education and mental health, and currently works as the National Wellbeing Lead for Twinkl. She spent 16 years in mainstream education in various roles from teacher to Assistant Head. She contributed to the Zinc Venture project aimed at improving mental health for 300 million children globally.
Top 5 revision tips
Whether you’ve got GCSEs, A Levels, or end-of-year mocks on the horizon, preparing for exams can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, you can make your revision more effective – and maybe even a little more enjoyable. Here are five top tips to help you get started and stay on track.
1. Preparation is key
Put together an exam timetable so you know you are going to cover all your subjects, not just the ones you enjoy!
2. Find the right space
Finding somewhere to revise is crucial – it isn’t always easy but if you can work at a desk and remove distractions (like your phone) then you will have the right environment to concentrate. If you don’t have a suitable place at home think about staying at school, or using your local library.
3. Find a variety of different ways to revise
Some people think they can just read a textbook and that is good revision, but science tells us that we need to help our neurotransmitters connect so we can remember our revision when we really need it. That means it needs to be visual, colourful, and easy to bring to mind when we are in the exam room. Things like mind maps, cue cards, and quizzes are great ways to help the information stick.
4. Revise for 25 minutes at a time
Revising for 25 minutes and then taking a break is sometimes called the Pomodoro technique, and is a great way to remain focused. If we try to revise for too long at a time we can become tired and stop retaining the information, so little and often is the key. You can even set yourself a timer for 25 minutes to remind you to get up and move around. The break only needs to be for 5 or 10 minutes, then get back to it!
5. Use different methods of revision
Everyone learns in different ways, so try out a mix of resources to keep your brain engaged. Podcasts and educational YouTube videos can be brilliant, especially for subjects like history or science where hearing someone explain a topic out loud helps things make sense. If you’re more of a visual learner, diagrams and animations can make complex ideas easier to remember. Switching up your method keeps revision fresh – and might just make it a bit more interesting too.
Remember, revision isn’t about cramming or doing everything perfectly – it’s about being consistent, staying calm, and giving yourself the best chance to succeed. Find what works for you, stick with it, and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. You’ve got this!
For tips on how to survive exam season, read Becky’s other blog here.
