Revision Tip 4 - Target Setting

Revising can be difficult (and boring!) - but it's really important. Sitting down for ages and reading over your notes might not be the most effective way of revising, so what are your options when it comes to preparing for exams? Here are some ideas...

Revision Tip 4 - TARGET SETTING

It helps to have something to aim for, so you could allow yourself a target for how much you want to revise over a certain time and allow yourself a treat when you have achieved this. The best targets are SMART targets:

S pecific - set the actual topic for your revision.
M easurable- measure your progress towards your goal.
A ction- break down your study goal into specific tasks.
R ealistic- Don’t set goals you’re unlikely to achieve.
T ime- always study tasks in plenty of time for the deadline.
SPECIFIC

• Choose one topic to revise at a time.
• Use past papers and get your answers marked by your teacher. These will help you get used to the type of question or task the exam requires.

MEASURABLE

• Split your revision into 20 minute manageable chunks. Don’t try to do too much in one go.
• Set a time scale to complete the revision topic and have a reward waiting at the end of it.
• Include revision into your daily routine. This will make it fit into your day and give you a space to do it in.

ACTION 

• Set a target of what you want to achieve from your revision session.
• Have fun with your revision!
• Have a revision checklist - write down what you want to do and cross it off when you’ve done it.

REALISTIC

• Plan your revision for when you know you will do it. There’s no point writing on your plan that you will revise on Sunday morning when you know you’ll still be in bed!
• Revision needs to be a balance between working and relaxing.

TIME

• Plan enough time to revise everything before the exams. Effective revision isn’t cramming it all in the night before the exam and hoping it’ll stick.
• Do some practice papers in exam conditions, so you get used to how long it’ll take.
• Take breaks! All work and no play is just no fun.