GCSE Exam Technique & Revision Strategies

Question 1

What is spaced repetition in revision?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing material at increasing intervals over time to strengthen long-term memory

Answer

Revising the same topic for many hours in one day

Answer

Leaving all revision to the night before

Answer

Only revising in one long session per week

Question 2

What does 'active recall' mean as a revision strategy?

Accepted Answer

Testing yourself by trying to retrieve information from memory without looking

Answer

Re-reading your notes

Answer

Highlighting key words

Answer

Making revision cards and only reading them

Question 3

In GCSE exams, what should you do when you see a 6-mark question?

Accepted Answer

Plan and write an extended answer using evidence and explanation, checking you've met all the marks

Answer

Write one sentence and move on

Answer

Leave it as it's too long

Answer

Only write a definition

Question 4

What is the most effective way to use past papers in revision?

Accepted Answer

Complete them under timed exam conditions, then carefully mark using the mark scheme and identify gaps

Answer

Read them once and put them away

Answer

Only look at the mark scheme without attempting

Answer

Ask a friend to read them for you

Question 5

What is 'interleaving' as a revision technique?

Accepted Answer

Mixing up different subjects or topics within a revision session

Answer

Revising one subject for weeks before moving on

Answer

Only revising subjects you find easy

Answer

Revising in groups of ten topics at once

Question 6

What does the mark scheme term 'AQF' (or 'any other correct answer') mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

Markers can award marks for correct answers not listed if they demonstrate equivalent knowledge

Answer

Only the printed answer can gain marks

Answer

The question has no correct answer

Answer

Students must use exactly the words in the mark scheme