The summer term has now started, as has the countdown to the end of the school year and the all-important examinations. Let’s take a closer look at just one of the exams being taken by Brillantmont students – the IGCSE – and how best to prepare for it.
Brillantmont High School students taking the British programme of studies, and in Years 10 and 11, are right now busy revising for their IGCSE examinations. Preparation varies greatly depending on the subject, but what follows is some general IGCSE revision advice helpful for all students:
- Study past papers to familiarise yourself with the format of the exam, be it multiple choice or essay based. Conducting your own “mocks” is a great way to practise your exam timing, in other words, how much time to spend answering each question or section.
- Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, which is why it’s often helpful to study in groups where classmates can support each other’s learning.
- Whether studying alone or in a group, environment is important. Find a quiet, tidy place free from clutter and distractions. Some people like to listen to classical music while studying, but silent revision is increasingly important as your approach your examinations where there’ll be no music at all. Condition your mind to perform well in silence. Television is a definite no-no.
- Plan your revision by taking your course outline, or syllabus, and making sure you have enough time to cover each topic between now and exam time.
- Take notes when revising. Writing helps you to absorb information more effectively, and a good way to do this is to sum up your notes as bullet points on index cards (like the kind you might find in a library). These cards are small enough to carry around in your pocket, so you can revise when you’re out and about and have a spare moment.
- Do look after yourself! Study discipline is important, but don’t push yourself too hard. Remember to eat well, drink plenty of water, attend your classes and tutoring sessions, and get enough sleep.
- Plan out your revision day and stick to a routine. Be sure to take regular breaks. Don’t spend too much time on your favourite subjects and less time on the difficult ones.
REVISION RESOURCES
- Study Planner (5 weeks) – print this out and fill it in to plan out your revision schedule.
- Revision Tips – more advice from CambridgeStudents.org, a site run by IGCSE providers Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
If you’d like to attend Brillantmont for your IGCSEs, or indeed any of the examinations and study programmes we offer, find out how to enrol by downloading our application form here.