1

Key Stage 4 Guide

to Successful

Learning

AG+

2

Page Title

3 Exam Timetable

4 - 7 Some tips on using this Revision Diary

8 - 9 The Alder Grange Revision Guide

10 The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

11 - 12 The SQ3R way to study

13 Ten Tips for Brilliant Mind Maps

14 Revision Classes and Study Resources

15 - 16 May – June 2016 Calendar

17 - 18 Mon – Fri and weekend Revision Timetables

19 - 21 Useful Revision Websites

22 Past Papers

23 - 24 Revision and Study Guides

25 - 27 GCSE Keywords

28 Exam week coping skills

29 During the exam

30 Equipment

31 Important areas in school

Alder Grange Community and Technology School

Exam Dates 2012-2013 (Provisional)

SOME TIPS ON USING THIS REVISION DIARY

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ALDER GRANGE COMMUNITY & TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

EXAM DATES 2016-2017 (PROVISIONAL)

GCSE SUMMER EXAMINATIONS 2017

MORNING AFTERNOON

Monday 15 May Sociology U1

Tuesday 16 May French Reading & Listening Biology 1

Wednesday 17 May IT U1

Thursday 18 May Chemistry 1 Sociology U2

Friday 19 May PE

Monday 22 May English Literature U1 Geography A U1

Tuesday 23 May Media P1

Wednesday 24 May Business Studies U1 Physics 1

Thursday 25 May Maths P1 IT U3

Friday 26 May English Literature U2

29.05.17 – 02.06.17

Half term

Monday 5 June History B U1 Psychology P1

Tuesday 6 June English Language U1 Geography A U2

Wednesday 7 June Astronomy / Computing U1

Thursday 8 June Maths P2 Psychology P2

Friday 9 June Biology 2 / Biology 3 Business Studies 3 / Music (Listening & Appraising)

Monday 12 June English Language U2 H&SC U1

Tuesday 13 June Maths P3

Wednesday 14 June Chemistry 2 / Chemistry 3 History B U2

Thursday 15 June

Friday 16 June Physics 2 / Physics 3 HOSCAT U4

Monday 19 June

Tuesday 20 June

Wednesday 21 June

Thursday 22 June Statistics

Friday 23 June

Monday 26 June Product Design

Results day Thursday 24th August 2017

Please note these dates are provisional for guidance only. The exam boards always make some changes to the dates.

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1. REMEMBER:

(a) You face a big job. Preparing for up to 9 GCSEs is not easy – and not meant to

be – because GCSEs are worth having and working hard for. But, remember

too, that you are not being asked to do anything you can’t handle!

(b) Even the biggest job can be cut down to size:

You eat an elephant by cutting it up into small mouthfuls!

(c) The GCSE courses last for over 18 months so revision (the word means “looking

again”) – gives you a superb chance to put straight those things you may not

have understood or have got wrong earlier in the course, and to pull together all

the units and other bits of each course to make a clearer “whole”!

(d) As well as exams to prepare for, you will have homeworks to complete and

Controlled Assessments to sit. This guide gives you the guidance you need to

be successful.

(e) Being ORGANISED is the key to success. You MAY need to work harder.

Everyone needs to WORK SMARTER!

(f) There will always be something else that you think is better to do than revision.

Having a plan made in advance ensures you are more likely to stick to it and use

it! Also if the plan has “me time” built-in you are more likely to follow the plan.

(g) There is little doubt that no two people study the same way, and it is a near

certainty that what works for one person may not work for another. However,

there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results. No one

would argue that every subject you are studying is going to be so interesting that

revising it is not work but pleasure. We can only wish.

SOME TIPS ON USING THIS REVISION DIARY

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Examinations are a test of your learning not, as many people think, the ability to remember a list of facts. Yes you need to know the facts, but it is how you use them which are more important. Also, revision needs to start early. For a person to learn effectively, it is important to understand how we learn. In general, there are 3-broad learning styles. Successful learners can learn in several different styles, questionnaires like the one below are useful in identifying your preferred style. That said, the worst thing you could then do is only ever learn in that style, this will reduce your learning power.

Questionnaire: Check your Learning Style

Tick ONE box only for each question.

1. When you think about spelling a word, do you ….

V. See the word

A. Sound the word out

K. Write the word down to see if it looks right

2. When you are really concentrating, are you distracted by ….

V. Messiness/untidiness

A. Noise/talking/music

K. Movement

3. When you try to remember specific incidents, do you ….

V. Do it with pictures/images

A. Sounds

K. See moving pictures

4. When you are angry, do you ….

V. Remain silent, but seethe inside

A. Shout loudly

K. Clench your fists, grit your teeth, stamp about

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5. When you forget an incident that has happened or a person you’ve met, do

you ….

V. Forget names but remember faces

A. Forget faces but remember names

K. Remember only where you were and what you did

6. When describing an object, for example your front door, would you ….

V. Picture it in your mind

A. Describe it with words

K. Think how it feels, sounds, opens, etc.

7. When you are learning, do you prefer ….

V. Work that is written down in many colours

A. Listening to a person talk or give instructions

K. Participating in activities, making or doing

8. When you do leisure activities, do you prefer to ….

V. Watch TV, read, play on a computer

A. Listen to music

K. Play sports and games

9. When you are talking, do you ….

V. Talk little and are reluctant to listen for too long

A. Like to listen and talk as well

K. Talk with your hands and gesture a lot

10. When you receive praise or a reward, do you prefer to ….

V. Receive a written note or certificate

A. Hear it said to you

K. Be given a “pat on the back” or a handshake

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Total number V (Visual) answers: ______

Total number of A (Auditory) answers: ______

Total number of K (Kinaesthetic) answers: ______

Revision Strategies for particular Learning Styles

Visual Learners

Recopy notes in colours/use different coloured paper

Visually organise notes using columns, forms, charts, grids or models

Write/review facts, formulas or notes on posters for your bedroom wall

Use index cards and arrange on the wall or floor

Use mnemonics (keep it visually appealing and memorable)

TV/video supplements important for understanding or remembering

Create images and scenes in your mind

Use of highlighters

Near memorisation of chapter/notes

Auditory Leaners

Helps to revise with a group of friends or form a study group – listen to each other

speak

Record revision sessions or notes for re-listening later (always ask teacher if you

can record revision sessions)

Give presentations to an imaginary audience – listen to yourself speak

Simultaneous talking, walking and studying

Set information to rhyme, rhythm or music

TV/video/radio supplements useful for obtaining information

Background music may help you concentrate

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Kinaesthetic Style

Copy notes over and over (to make them neat or organised)

Prefer to take notes even when a hand-out is available

Doodles whilst studying

Move about at times when studying. Harder to sit at a desk to revise

Simultaneously talking-walking, talking-exercising, or walking-reading

Music, chewing gum, eating and drinking whilst studying

Trace key words with finger or marker

Re-enact situations whilst studying

2. GIVE YOUR MIND A CHANCE:

(a) In each revision “slot” you should try to hit 3 targets.

(i) Choose a main topic on which you may spend 45 minutes to 1 hour

(E.g. module of Maths or Science or the Origins of the First World War);

(ii) A second topic which should be the main topic from the previous day on

which you should spend perhaps 20 minutes making sure you learned it

accurately, correcting errors and driving the main points/techniques etc.

home. It is often a good idea to take this from a different subject area other

than the main topic. Variety is the spice of life!

(iii) A third topic which should be the main topic from 2 days before, on which

you should spend perhaps 15 minutes double checking and reinforcing your

knowledge and understanding;

(iv) Re-visit the completed topics from time to time. One way of doing this is to

have a subject session where you look at all the different units/topics

covered and see how they link together;

(v) In a moment you’ll see the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve or “memory graph”

and how it can make a huge difference to what you remember.

3. GIVE IT A REST!!

(a) Don’t try to do too much at one session. Give yourself at least one SHORT

break when doing your main topic.

(b) Have a rest between your 2nd and 3rd topics.

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(c) If you can relax by watching a favourite TV programme, build it into your

timetable as a reward and break.

(d) Try to begin at a set time – early in the evening is best, before you get too tired –

then you can enjoy a well-earned break.

(e) DO NOT GIVE UP EXERCISE – it’s a great way to keep things in proportion, to

sharpen your mind and to keep your brain well supplied with oxygen.

(f) DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR SOCIAL LIFE. You really cannot afford to be out

every night of the week. You need to be working for a good 2-3 hours a night

from now on but you need to escape from your work too so give yourself one or

two – at most – nights off (preferably at weekends).

(g) Do remember though, that you know best when you work well. If you prefer to

work on a Saturday night, that’s cool!

4. BE COMFORTABLE BUT ALTER WHEN YOU WORK:

(a) Use a well-lit and ventilated room.

(b) Sit at a desk or table, preferably with a light.

(c) Organise your papers, files, etc.

(d) Sit up! Slouching interferes with your blood flow and makes you less efficient.

Find a comfortable way to work; you’re more likely to find getting into revision

easier.

5. MAKE YOUR BRAIN DO THE WORK:

You can trick yourself into thinking you are working when you’re achieving nothing.

(a) READ THROUGH the work you are revising – all of it, to get the picture.

(b) Underline, highlight or copy onto file paper the KEY POINTS (remembering that

much of what you read is like the packaging on a chocolate Easter egg –

designed to make you “buy” it and to keep it safe until you eat it. You can, when

you read through almost all your work, discard the “packaging” and pick out the

“chocolate” – the important point/fast/idea. You should be able to compress

most work to about 25% of its original size.

(c) THINK about this as you do it, looking for patterns and easy ways of

remembering these points such as using rhymes.

(d) Find mnemonics to help (“Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain” for the

spectrum’s colours).

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(e) Read these key points carefully and practice writing them out, referring to the

“master” copy.

(f) Test yourself – see if you can write these out from memory, checking your

accuracy each time. Reward yourself if you can!

(g) Teach what you have been learning to someone else – this makes you organise

your thinking.

(h) Mind Maps-see later in the guide for instructions on making mind maps.

(i) Study cards

(j) Get your family involved, turn revision into a quiz/game if this helps you to

remember and recall information once you’ve learned it on your own!

6. USE THE ADVICE YOU GET:

(a) This guide is only a brief reminder of the techniques you can use. Subject

specialists all have their own “tricks of the trade” to pass on to you. Do use

these carefully. They are tried and tested!

(b) Your success at Alder Grange is dependent on your ability to study effectively

and efficiently. The results of poor study skills are wasted time, frustration, and

grades. It’s your life, your time, and your future. All we can say, upon

reflection of many years as teachers, is that time is precious and not to be

squandered, no matter what you believe right now.

(c) The ideas presented here depend on one thing, and that is your willingness to

WANT to improve and do well in school. If you really don’t want to make the

effort and sacrifice, no amount of suggestions, ideas or outlines can help much.

You are the one who is responsible for your education. To that end, one last

word of advice – work smart, not hard!

7. HOW TO MAKE A REVISION TIMETABLE:

Later in this guide we’ve shown you how to make a revision timetable, it’s the

section called the ‘Alder Grange Revision Planning Guide’. But remember, it’s one

thing to make the guide but another to regularly use it!

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This information will help you to make a revision timetable; having a plan already made will

help you get started with your revision and help get over the ‘there is always something

better that I could do’ issue

Follow these steps in order

1. For each day in the week think about any clubs, jobs, other activities you might

have

For example:

Monday: Football training

Wednesday: Swimming

2. Now, for each day work-out how many hours you have available for revision, but

be realistic. You are not expected to give up all your interests, sports or clubs.

However, you will need to cut-back (for a while) on your activities and social life to

allow for some revision!

For example:

Monday: Football training revision 1 hour

Tuesday: No activities revision 3 hours

Wednesday: Swimming revision 0 hours

Thursday: No activities revision 3 hours

3. Add up the number of hours you have to get a total then double it. This gives you a

number of 30 minute revision slots

4. List all your subjects in order of hardest/needs most revision first down to

easiest/needs little revision just occasional reviews

5. Now put a number next to each subject, this is the number of 30 minute slots you

will spend on that subject across the whole week

For example:

Chemistry 6 slots

French 6 slots

PE 4 slots and so on…

The Alder Grange Revision Guide

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6. Now put slots (empty at this point, we’ll put the subjects into them in a moment) by

each day across the week

For example:

Monday: 1 hour __________ __________

Tuesday: 3 Hours __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________

7. Now put subjects into the slots, remember not to put more than 2 similar

subjects together if you can avoid it. Also, it is better to get difficult revision out

of the way first, perhaps earlier in the week.

For example:

Monday: 1 hour Physics PE

Tuesday: 3 Hours Maths Geography Chemistry

8. Put your plan onto a sheet of A4 or A3 paper in landscape format

9. Finally road-test it! Is your plan realistic? Does it work for you? If not go back and

adjust some of the times available each day. The next job is making it work for you.

Put copies around the house; give someone at home a copy so they can guide you.

YOU have to be self-disciplined though; no-one else can make you stick to the plan!

Colour code the plan so that each subject has its own code making it easier to read

Make a tally chart to show how many revision sessions you’ve done. Build in

rewards as you hit key targets, i.e. if I use my revision plan all week I’ll go to the

pictures, play football etc.

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The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

This curve describes the way we remember information. You can recall your date of birth

or telephone number without a problem. However, if you read an unknown telephone

number and were then asked to recall it 1-day later you would find it very difficult to do this.

With regular review we move information from our short term to long term memory. Here

we have a much more successful chance of recalling that data when we need it, for

example in an examination. Basically it’s use it or lose it!

Here is the curve:

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The SQ3R Way to Study

The SQ3R method is a really cool way to sharpen study skills. SQ3R stands for Survey,

Question, Read, Recite, and Review. Take a moment now and write SQ3R down. It is a

good slogan to commit to memory to help you get into your revision!

It looks really hard but the steps below help you along; give it a try!

Survey Get the best overall picture of what you’re going to study BEFORE you study it in

any detail.

It’s like looking at a road map before going on a trip. If you don’t know the territory,

studying a map is the best way to begin.

Question Ask questions for learning. The important things to learn are usually answers to

questions.

Questions should lead to ideas on the what, why, how, when, who and where of the

subject.

Ask yourself questions as you read or study. As you answer them, you will help to

make sense of the material and remember it more easily because the process will

make an impression on you.

Those things that make impressions are more meaningful, and therefore more

easily remembered.

Don’t be afraid to write your questions in the margins of textbooks, on lecture notes,

or wherever it makes sense.

Read Reading is NOT running your eyes over a textbook. When you read, read actively.

Read to answer questions you have asked yourself or questions your

teacher/student has asked.

Always be alert to bold or italicized print. The idea is that this material receives

special emphasis, key points to remember

When you read, be sure to read everything, including tables, graphs and diagrams.

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Recite When you recite, you stop reading every few minutes to recall what you have read.

Try to recall main headings, important ideas that were presented in bold or

italicized, and what graphs, tables or diagrams are telling you.

Try to develop an overall idea of what you have read in your own words and

thoughts.

Try to connect things you have just read to things you already know.

When you do this regularly, the chances are you will remember much more and be

able to recall material for your GCSE!

Review A review is a survey of what you have covered.

Rereading is an important part of the review process.

During review, it’s a good time to go over your notes or revision guide to help make

sense of points you may have missed or don’t understand.

The best time to review is when you have just finished studying something.

Don’t wait until the week before an exam to begin the review process.

Before an exam, do a final review. If you manage your time, the final review can be

thought of as a “fine-tuning” of your knowledge.

SQ3R

Survey

Question

Read

Recite

Review

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Ten Tips for Brilliant Mind Maps

1. Work in landscape and start in the centre

2. Make the centre colourful and eye catching

3. Main branches are thick and each is a different colour

4. Write in upper case above the line

5. Length of branch = length of words

6. Emphasise by size and shape of words

7. Use pictures or symbols alongside – or instead of – key words

8. Sub-branches and twigs get thinner as they move out, but are the

same colour as the main branch

9. As far as possible each main branch, sub-branch or twig should

contain only a single key word

10. Make study brain trees as memorable as possible by using:

Colours

Shapes

Pictures

Symbols

Association

Framing

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Revision Classes & Study Rooms

School will be running revision classes in all subjects, both at dinner times and after

school. Also E4 and H3 will be available on Monday and Tuesday after school if you need

any help or just a space to get on with work.

The LRC is

now available

after school

for anyone in

Year 11 who

wants some

space to get

on with

homework or

revision

E3

Mondays

L3

Tuesdays

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May 2017 Calendar

May 15 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 20

1 Bank Holiday

2 3 4 5 6 7

Week 21

8

9 10 11 12 13 14

Week 22

15 GCSE Written Papers Start

16 17 18 19 20 21

Week 23

22

23 24 25 26 27 28

Week 24

29 Half Term

30 31

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June 2017 Calendar

Jun 15 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 25

1 2 3 4

Week 26

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Week 27

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Week 28

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Week 29

26 27

GCSE Written Papers End

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29 30

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Revision Timetable: Monday to Friday

3:30-4:00 4:00-4:30 4:30-5:00 5:00-5:30 5:30-6:00 6:00-6:30 6:30-7:00 7:00-7:30 7:30-8:00 8:00-8:30 8:30-9:00

M

T

W

Th

Fr

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Revision Timetable: Weekend

9:00-10:00

10:00-11:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

4:00-5:00

5:00-6:00

6:00-7:00

7:00-8:00

Sat

9:00-10:00

10:00-11:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

4:00-5:00

5:00-6:00

6:00-7:00

7:00-8:00

Sun

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Useful Revision Websites

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revision

www.s-cool.co.uk

www.gcse.com

www.revisionaid.co.uk

www.revision-notes.co.uk

www.revisioncentre.co.uk

www.aldergrange.com

www.design-technology.info

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Useful Revision Websites

CEPA www.eduweb.com/insideart/index.html

Business Studies

www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk/

Design Technology & Systems

Control

www.technologystudent.com/

Design Technology

Food www.foodforum.org.uk

Design Technology

Graphics www.designandtech.com

Design Technology

Product Design

www.technologystudent.com

Design Technology Resistant Materials

www.technologystudent.com/

English www.englishbiz.co.uk/

French

www.frenchinaclick.com www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/french/

www.linguascope.com (the intermediate

section)

(username and password are on the VLE in the MFL section)

Geography www.georesources.co.uk

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Useful Revision Websites

Health and Social www.newman.ac.uk

History www.schoolhistory.co.uk/diagrams/

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ www.johnclare.com

Maths www.mymaths.co.uk

Username: Alder Password: Square

Music www.rpfuller.com/gcse/music/

Physical Education

www.teachpe.com/ www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize www.revisionworld.com

Science (Biology, Chemistry and

Physics)

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize www.creativechemistry.co.uk

www.aqa.org.uk

Spanish

www.linguascope.com (the intermediate section)

(username: aldergcts; password: will need to see the MFL staff as we are required to change our password every year, around

Feb/March time)

Statistics www.mymaths.co.uk

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Past Papers

AQA http://web.aqa.org.uk/exams-office/exams-guidance/qp-ms_finder.php Edexcel http://www.edexcel.com/i-am-a/student/Pages/pastpapers.aspx OCR http://www.ocr.org.uk/i-want-to/prepare-and-practise/past-papers-finder/ WJEC http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?nav=106

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Revision and Study Guides

SUBJECT BOARD CODE ENTRY TIERS REVISION/STUDY GUIDE RECOMMENDED

REVISION LESSONS

ART & DESIGN AQA 4201 Single Tier

ASTRONOMY Edexcel 2AS01 Single Tier

D & T PRODUCT DESIGN AQA 4557 Single Tier Lonsdale Essentials of GCSE Product Design

FRENCH WJEC 4220 Examinable elements are tiered, reading and listening.

CGP GCSE French Complete Revision & Practice with Audio CD or CGP GCSE French Revision Guide - Higher or CGP GCSE French Revision Guide – Foundation

GEOGRAPHY A AQA 9032 Foundation or Higher Tier GCSE Essentials Study Guide AQA A

HISTORY B AQA 9147 Single Tier AQA Modern World Syllabus B revision Guide

MUSIC Edexcel 2MU01 Single Tier

BIOLOGY AQA 4401 Can be different tiers in each exam GCSE Biology AQA Science Nelson Thorne

CHEMISTRY AQA 4402 Can be different tiers in each exam GCSE Chemistry AQA Science Nelson Thorne

PHYSICS AQA 4403 Can be different tiers in each exam GCSE Physics AQA Science Nelson Thorne

ADDITIONAL SCIENCE AQA 4408 Can be different tiers in each exam GCSE Additional Science- AQA Science Nelson Thorne

SCIENCE A AQA 4405 Can be different tiers in each exam AQA

STATISTICS AQA 4312 Foundation or Higher Tier Text books provided

BUSINESS STUDIES EDEXCEL 2BS01 Single Tier None needed

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE EDEXCEL 2HS01 Single Tier

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EDEXCEL 2PE01 Single Tier Edexcel GCSE revision guide

MATHEMATICS AQA 8300 Foundation or Higher Tier Any CGP

MEDIA AQA 4810 Single Tier

IT Edexcel 2IT01 Single Tier

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AQA 8700 Single Tier

ENGLISH LITERATURE AQA 8702 Single Tier

HOSPITALITY & CATERING

WJEC 4740 Single Tier

DRAMA EDEXCEL 2DR01 Single Tier

COMPUTING OCR J275 Single Tier

PSYCHOLOGY WJEC 4430 Single Tier

SOCIOLOGY AQA 4190 Single Tier

Throughout the year there has been opportunity to buy revision and study guides. If this has been missed all the subjects and exam boards are listed

below and where appropriate suitable guides are recommended. You can order them from any good book shop like ‘Waterstones’ or online from ‘Amazon’.

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GCSE Key Words

What are they and what do they mean?

It is important to understand the key words used by examiners

This is a generic list of words that could apply to all your subjects

The key words will enable you to work-out what the question asking you to do?

Knowing the meaning of key words is really important, they will help you score more marks.

The examiners are looking to award you marks not take them away!

Being familiar with key words is an example of working smarter not harder!

GCSE questions generally fall into two types:

1. Those that ask you to dig deep into your brain to retrieve something you have been

taught (facts, dates, names etc.). They will be familiar to you in that you’ll have heard

them before but can’t quite recall them at the moment. There will be a relatively small

number of these types of questions. They are used to see if you have learned

something, not if you can use information to solve problems; this type comes next!!

2. These are the really cool ones (only joking!!). They ask you to think about things that

you have been taught and then to apply them to new or unfamiliar situations. Some

exam boards might ask you to apply a relatively straight forward concept/model that

you have learned to a situation you have never heard of. It is easy to think, ‘We

didn’t do this in class or, I did not learn about this.’ But the questions want to see if

you can work-out how what you’ve learned can be fitted to the new situation.

So, here are the various key words that can appear in many of your subjects. This is not an

exhaustive list. Add extra words to your guide as you go along with your revision. If you

write the words down you can learn them and then apply them. Without doing this you are

more likely to forget important words, this could cost marks!

We have listed them alphabetically they are not in order how challenging the words might be to

use

Account for Explain the causes of

Analyse Divide into parts and describe each part

Comment on Explain why something is important

Compare Are the things very alike, or are there important differences. Which do you think is best? Why?

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Contrast Look for differences

Criticise

Use evidence to support your opinion on the value or merit of theories, facts or views of others. Remember to use PEE, Point Evidence Explain

Define Give the meaning of

Differentiate Explain the difference between

Discuss

Write about the important aspects of the topic; are there two sides to the question? Consider the arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ then give your opinion. Remember to use PEE, Point Evidence Explain

Distinguish Explain the differences

Describe Say what happens

Explain Say why something happens

Factors The facts or circumstances that contribute to a result

Illustrate

Give examples or diagrams which make the point clear and prove your answer is correct

Indicate Show and demonstrate

In relation to Refer to specific aspect of something

In the context of In a particular setting; referring to

Justify

Give reasons to support an argument you are making. Remember to use PEE, Point Evidence Explain

Outline Choose the most important aspect of a topic. Ignore the minor details

Relate Show the connection between things

Role The part something plays and how it does this

Summarise Bring together the main points

State Recall a fact

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Trace Show how something has developed from beginning to end

30

Exam Coping Skills

Positive self talk

Avoid negative discussions with your friends

Motivation

Exams are the natural end to your GCSE’s, most people will take this in your stride

Panic will only create blockages and confusion.

Use only

review notes

At the last minute—counter-productive to go back to class notes at this stage.

If you haven't done enough, making review notes may help now.

Stick to

timetable

Don't be distracted by panic, keep a cool head

Check Key word

list

Past papers should help you understand A dictionary could help

Check

equipment

Make sure you always have it with you. Use the equipment check sheet in this booklet Ask subject teacher.

Check exam dates

Start times and rooms Keep them with you at all times Keep a copy on your bedroom wall

Arrive

on time

Not too early or too late. Be at exam door a good 5 mins before exam starts Keep calm—breathe slowly and count to 4/ hold for a

count of 4, exhaling for 4.

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During the Exam

1 Look closely at the instructions

2 Scan all the questions

3 Mark all the questions you could answer

4 Read the questions carefully, read again to check your understanding

5 Decide on an order

6 Divide your time up

7 Underline key words in the question

8 Plan your answer; mini-mind map etc.

9 Write your answer

10 Leave enough time to check your answer

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Equipment

2 black pens

2 Pencils

Rubber

Pencil sharpener

Ruler Stored in a clear bag/pencil case

Coloured pencils

Compass

Protractor

Calculator

Angle measure

Most items are available from Student Services

(but DO NOT wait until the morning of the exam)

REMINDER

Full school uniform for all exams

Know your exam room and seat number

No mobile phones, iPods or other devices in the exam room. If you bring

them to school you will be asked to hand them in before the exam.

They will be stored in a secure location and returned at the end of the

examination(s).

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Important areas in school

The Exam notice board is located on the music corridor and will have up-to-date details of exam dates etc. The examination room seating plan will also be displayed. Do you know which room you will sit your exams in? ______________________________________________________ Do you know your seat number? ______________________________________________________ Your exam number will also be displayed; do you know your exam candidate number? ______________________________________________________ Exam rules will also be displayed, these will be read to you in the exam room but you should be aware of them. Have you read the rules?

The examination officer is MRS N ANDREW and her office is located on the Music corridor. If you have any questions about your exams see Mrs Andrew, but make sure you do this early.

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Exams - What to do if.....

You think you have been entered for the wrong exam. If you have any doubts about the subject or tier that you have been entered for, see your subject teacher urgently so that any changes can be made with the Exam Board.

Your name or date of birth is incorrect on your statement of entry. All pupils are entered for exams under their legal names. If you think that you have been entered under the wrong name, see Mrs Andrew as soon as possible. It is difficult to change names and dates of birth after certificates have been printed. Ensure that you write your legal name on your exam paper.

You are ill on the day of the exam. It is always better if students can take their exam if at all possible. If you are ill you should come into school for your exam and let Mrs Andrew know so that the Exam Board can be informed. If you are still unwell after the exam arrangements can be made for you to go straight home after you have sat it. If the illness is sufficiently serious that you cannot come into school, your parents should ring Mrs Andrew as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements and a doctor’s note will be needed to cover the absence. Now that exams are linear there is no guarantee that a mark or grade will be awarded so it is important that you sit your exam if at all possible

You can’t remember your exam number or your seat number. This information is displayed on the exam noticeboard in the Music corridor; if in doubt check this information before coming to the exam.

You’re not sure when your next exam is. There is an up to date exam timetable on the website. If you are still not sure ring school and speak to Mrs Andrew. Don’t rely on second hand information from friends who may not be sitting the same exam.

The fire alarm goes off during the exam. The invigilator will stop the exam and tell you what to do. If you need to evacuate the room, leave everything on your desk. You must not try to communicate with anyone else, whether they are sitting the same exam as you or not.

You finish your exam early. All pupils are expected to remain in their exam room for the whole duration of the exam. No one is allowed out of an exam early at Alder Grange CTS. Use any remaining time to check your work and answer any questions you may have missed.

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You will not be able to collect your exam results.

If you are away on results day you can arrange to ring up for them or ask someone else to collect them on your behalf. Arrangements must be made for this in advance. If you would like your results posting home, please provide a stamped self-addressed envelope to Mrs Andrew before the end of the summer term.

You do not get the grades you need for college. Subject teachers and Senior Managers will be available for you to talk to on results day. If you feel strongly that you want your work to be remarked you are advised to seek advice from your teacher and there is a substantial fee for unsuccessful remarks.

Exam Certificates. These are awarded at Presentation Evening during January. You will receive an invitation to this event when you collect your results. If you cannot attend Presentation Evening, certificates can be collected after this date from school but please note we can only store them for a period of 1 year. If someone is collecting certificates on your behalf they will need a note from you to authorize this.

You have lost your certificates. Exam boards do not issue copies of certificates. If you have lost yours you can contact Mrs Andrew at school for a letter confirming your results. Alternatively you can contact the exam board directly and they will issue a certifying letter. Exam boards make a charge for this service.

You have two exams at the same time If you find that you have two exams timetabled for the same exam slot on your statement of entry, arrangements will be made for one of these to be taken at a different time on the same day. You will need to remain in isolation between exam sessions and will need to bring snacks and drinks with you. You should receive a letter prior to the start of the exam season outlining arrangements for the day.

You have any other questions. If you have any other questions or anything you don’t understand please ask. You or your parents can contact Mrs Andrew or your subject teacher to query anything you are unsure of. It is always better to check.

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Post Results Information

Following the release of exam results there are various post results services available from the exam boards for a limited time. Access to Scripts – students can request that the exam board return their completed examination script. The cost of this service is approximately £12 per script dependent upon exam board. The exam board deadline is usually 6 weeks after the release of results. Clerical check – students can request that exam boards check that all marks have been added correctly. The cost of this service is approximately £7 at GCSE and £14 at GCE dependent upon exam board. The marking is not checked during this service. Marks could go up, stay the same or go down. Remark of script – students can request that the exam board remarks their exam script. Care must be taken in requesting this service as a remark can result in the mark and grade going up, remaining the same or going down. If you would like to discuss this option please do not hesitate to contact the subject teacher or Mrs Andrew. The cost of this service is approximately £60 dependent upon exam board. Exam board deadlines are usually 3 weeks after the release of results. If you would like any further information about any of the above services or to know the fee or deadline for a particular exam please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Andrew at school. Forms for all of the above services are available from Mrs Andrew and must be signed by pupils to give their consent to the application. On completion of an unsuccessful remark an appeal can be made to the Exam Board concerned however appeals can only be made against the procedures followed by the Exam Board and not against the actual marking.