12 must-read tips before you start your A Level revision

Oxford Secondary

You can find lots more great advice and practical support for students and parents on our A Level hub!

When it comes to preparing for exams you may feel bombarded with advice coming from lots of different sources to the point that you don’t know where to begin. It may not feel easy to begin with, but by trying the strategies and tips from our experts below, you will be on the right path.

  • Create a revision timetable and stick to it. Spend time looking at when your exams are and find the best time to revise specific subjects.
  • Find the best way to revise for you, whether that is: sticky notes, sticky tabs, revision guides.
  • Speak to your teachers – teachers are there to help students and their doors are always open.
  • Utilise what the school is offering – go to the period six sessions or tuition sessions that are on. 
  • Find time for you – Make sure you do spend some time, every week, just for you to relax or do an activity that you really enjoy.
  • Don’t wait until the month before to start revising! The work should be continuous throughout the year. It is much better to steadily build up to the exams rather than panicking 3 weeks before and becoming overwhelmed. 
  • Make sure you know what you don’t know. Many students will highlight their notes for hours, maybe condensing the notes further. That’s all good, it might have some impact, but you are just revising what you already know. How do you know what you don’t know? Once you identify what you don’t know, you have something to work on.
  • Recognize when you are feeling stressed – what are your warning signs? Do you get a headache? Short-tempered? Recognize this in yourself and learn to step back – it will be more beneficial in the long run!
  • SLEEP! Students need roughly 8 hours a night to be functioning properly. Your mind cannot process your days learning if you are awake all night – sleep and dreaming is literally the time your brain stores its memories.
  • Learn to put down your phone. It is so easy to sit on your phone as your revision break but sometimes this can be counter-productive. Time can go so quickly and you can become distracted and absorbed in something which distracts you.
  • Revise in manageable time frames. Revise for an hour and then have a 15-minute break and repeat. You may need to be moving around and making time to eat and drink within revision so that you are appropriately fueled!
  • PLAN your revision! Ensure you know exactly what you are doing on each day otherwise your revising can be chaotic and overwhelming. Revising A Christmas Carol on Monday? Which part? Which character? Be specific beforehand so you do not feel confused.

We would like to thank Holly Jukes, Thomas Michael, and the anonymous English teacher for sharing their wonderful tips with us.