9 steps to ace GCSEs
I just got my O Level result and wanted to share some techniques I used/wish I had used. I got 10A*s and 1A.
Here’s goes the ultimate guide…
1. Read the official syllabus THOROUGHLY
Print
out (or download in softcopy where you can mark text as well) all the subjects’ entire syllabi from
Don’t forget to read the preambles;
they help you target the skills required out of you.
Remember: the examiner doesn’t know you personally and
the only impression you can make is through the papers you hand over. Be sure
you know what skills are required in them which will leave impressive
impressions and help you get good grades.
2. Complete your notes beforehand
- Check whether your notes are complete from your friends, you wouldn’t want to realise during doing past papers that you haven’t covered a specific topic because you missed the class.
- Make formula sheets for Physics and Mathematics months before your actual papers, make them tidy and consult them often. Believe me, this way you’ll have those long formulae on your fingertips. BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR SHEETS. Add colours or diagrams for fun learning. I sketched out these graphs to learn the curves and save myself time in the exam.
- For Literature people, write down ALL the literary devices, separate for poetry and for prose, inserting an example with each would also help you in understanding them better. Have them checked by a teacher if you aren’t sure if you have defined them correctly. This way you’ll never miss to mention ‘Irony’ or a ‘juxta positioning’ in your essays.
- All those syllabus pointers which mention ‘Define’ require you to learn a definition. Mark all these pointers in the syllabus and write all the definitions on a separate sheet so you won’t have to waste time thinking for good worded definitions during your exam.
- Make a vocabulary list for the new words you read every day on your phone or in a notebook. Check it weekly and try to use these words in your conversation and essays.
3. Make study plans
Well begun, is half done.
Whenever you feel like you need to brush up a
topic or two, but you don’t have time at the moment, just make a list of things
you need to revise. It would also help you understand how much you need to
study -- pace up or slow down. Try to cover them as soon as possible by
assigning a few days to cover them. (Start fresh with a new schedule each time
you feel like you slacked behind too much on your present schedule. Paperwork
is your friend now. Own it.)
For past papers schedule, firstly, you should
decide what you are aiming for in each subject. Then calculate the total number
of past papers for each subject and add them (You do not have to do this for
humanities. Class practice would be enough but if you haven’t done that, decide
a decent number for them too and GET THE QUESTIONS CHECKED BY A TEACHER). Divide
the number of days left in the final week before exams by the number you get.
That’s how much past papers you need to do per day (not necessarily, but always
aim higher).
Make a tight schedule but give yourself days off
for refreshments as well. Do not plan anything for the last week before exams
just yet. I suggest you leave it solely for revision or to practice recent
papers only.
Remember: Everyone has different abilities; what some
people take three to four days to cover, some can manage all that in just a
day. Anyhow, pulling up all-nighters will soon become a good friend.
4. Ask Questions
Believe me, the nagging questions, no matter how
basic, deserve answers. Leave no stone unturned. I remember texting my teacher three hours before an
exam and she clarified a confusion of mine. You have all the time in the world
until you enter the examination hall. Do not shy away; use all of it.
5. Keep going with those Past Papers
Plan to complete at least ten years of papers for
every subject. Don’t just copy and paste the answers in your booklets or check
your answers right after answering a single question. Set aside proper time for
past papers and do them diligently, however you can skip the definitions and
some trivial calculations that you know you are a pro at.
Solving past papers
can get fretful but do remember to keep yourself fresh. Watch a movie or an
episode of your favorite TV show. I used to listen to Suits song list while
doing my Mathematics, Physics and sometimes Chemistry. Here’s the YouTube
playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClV8b2EhIhIASKw-etzegyw/playlists?shelf_id=3&sort=dd&view=50
Getting a grip on the papers will not only help
you in time management but help you highlight the areas where you need to pay
close attention.
While checking answers, mark the ones you find
better worded in the Marking Scheme and review these answers a day before your
exam.
You might be tempted to feel depressed, but
remember that not everyone needs to do ten years of papers. If you have a good
grasp over the syllabus, past papers of five or even two years will serve you
good.
Remember: Question patterns of previous years might be
entirely different for some subjects. Familiarise yourself with the new pattern
and for this reason leave recent papers for a last few days so that the new
pattern in fresh in memory.
6. Go Online
Not all teachers answer all your questions and even if
they do, the confusion sometimes still continues. The web these days is the
most intellectual savior; using it properly can help you answer these
questions. Explore YouTube, Khan Academy or simply Google your question and
surf through the valleys of unknown bliss. But do not go beyond the syllabus
just yet, that’s for college.
7. Study Groups
Studying in groups can be of fortune (provided
if taken seriously). You’ll not only be having your questions answered but will
also learn from the questions of others. These can be very motivational as the
sessions mostly end in giving pep talks to each other.
As you near the exams, you might not get time to study
together, but you can always make a social media group, for example, on
WhatsApp. Post in questions and discuss with your study palls or you can even
include your teacher in the group for additional guidance.
8. Keep your health in check
The last thing you want is studying with a bad
stomachache, so eat well and stay hydrated. Do not compromise your sleep
because studying with a dormant brain is equivalent to not studying at all.
Also try to work out as it boosts up your metabolism and helps build up study stamina and retain focus for longer periods.
9. Supplies
Use the same calculator, ruler and pen/ballpoint
during past paper practice that you intend to use in your exams.
Best of Luck!
This blog includes advice from some of my great
teachers, my older siblings and the article below.
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