Y11 Revision Planning
Guidance
October 2015
Methods of revision
There are lots of ways to revise and you have to find the method that suits you. Some people like to write out all the things they need to learn, others find this a waste of time and prefer to make summary diagrams or try to remember what was on each page of a revision guide. You may find different methods work for different subject areas. Use colour on your notes as this helps you memorise things e.g. you may want to highlight each key word in yellow and any facts you don’t yet know in orange.
Use family and friends to test you. Give them your notes and see if you can recite everything, ask them to circle anything you couldn’t remember.
Examples of some kinds of revision methods are shown below:
Summary notes
Read everything about the topic you are revising and then write out the key points. Look back at your notes (or textbooks/revision guide) to check you have remembered everything and haven’t missed anything out.
Summary poster
Rather than re-writing notes put everything about one topic on a one side revision poster. This could include lots of diagrams, or it may be more in the style of a mind map.
Revision cards
Use index cards to summarise the key facts on different key words or topics. You can then give these cards to a parent/friend to be tested on them, or you can try and test yourself.
Make podcasts
Turn your written notes into spoken presentations. Record yourself speaking your notes and listen back to the recordings.
Use a computer
Produce summary PowerPoint presentations, that you can then present to family members. Or use web-sites such as to produce mindmaps, or look at flashcards and mind maps that other students have produced on this site.
Top 10 tips for revision success
- Study in a quiet place. Remove distractions, turn of the TV and leave your mobile phone in another room.
- Make a revision timetable. Let your family know when you are revising so they can avoid disturbing you.
- Create summary notes and anything simple that helps your memory. Drawings, saying and mnemonics are easier to remember.
- Get help. Ask family and friends to test you. Attend Session 3 revision classes.
- Add variety into how you revise. Record yourself reading notes and occasionally listen to them instead of reading.
- Stick to good routines. Start revision when you say you are going to and then take proper breaks. e.g. Start work at 6pm, stop at 6.55 for a 15 minute break before starting another hour of work, stop at 8.10 and enjoy some relaxation time before getting lots of sleep.
- Plan rewards for hard work. Allow yourself to go to the cinema, meet up with friends, go for a bike ride or anything else you enjoy at set times. Work hard when you are revising and then have fun breaks where you can switch off.
- Eat well. Drink well. Don’t eat lots of unhealthy snacks. Eat healthy food regularly and stay hydrated.
- Don’t panic. You will not learn effectively if you are in panic mode. Likewise, you will not perform well in exams if you are in panic mode. If you need to calm down go for a walk, have a drink and then sit down in a quiet area and plan your time. If this doesn’t work speak to a parent or teacher for help.
- Think positively. You can seriously improve your current grades by a sensible long term revision plan.
An exam topic list for a subject
Produce a tick list of all the topic you need to revise for each exam you will sit. Keep this at the front of your revision folder/book and tick off topics as you revise them.
B2 Topics to revise
Topic to revise / How well do I know the topic(red/amber/green) / Topic revised? / Exam questions completed on topic?
Plant and animal cells
Specialised cells
Transport in and out of cells
Diffusion
Tissues, organs and organ systems
Animal organs
Plant organs
Photosynthesis
Sampling methods
Proteins
Enzymes
Aerobic Respiration
Anaerobic respiration
Cell division
Stem cells
Variation and inheritance
Genetic crosses
Genetic disorders
Speciation