Revision Skills
Before you start:
- Do not wait until the exam period to go and ask for advice or help on a topic.
- Draw up a summary of all the topics to be tested and use it to plan your revision timetable well in advance of the examination period. Devote roughly equal time to each topic.
When revising:
- Most Maths exams require you to solve problems, so the best way to prepare is by working through as many examples as possible.
- Do not look at a solution, until you have really attempted the problem. If you get stuck:
- Do some further reading.
- Try comparing the problem to other similar examples.
- Do not be tempted to miss out a topic unless you are really desperate. This could seriously limit your options in the examination.
- Use a variety of resources. This will help deepen your understanding and also keep the revision process more engaging. For example:
- Review your notes and read text books. Although reading alone is not enough!
- Work through any homework sheets. i.e. do the examples again.
- Use any relevant websites and computer based quizzes.
- Go through a specimen exam paper.
- Do not just memorize a previous exam paper!!! Even if the format of the paper is fairly consistent from year to year, the types of questions asked can vary quite considerably.
- Leave one past exam paper unseen to attempt a timed dummy run towards the end of your revision period. Obviously, don't look at the solutions until after you have completed the paper.
- Do not stay up late “cramming” the night before an exam. Put your things ready for the morning and get a good night’s sleep.
What next?
Why not check out our other study skills guides:
- Reading Skills for Maths
- Writing Skills for Maths
- Problem Solving Skills for Maths
- Exam Skills for Maths