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Key Stage 4 Guide to Successful

Learning

AG+

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 2020 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

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Alder Grange Community and Technology SchoolExam Dates 2012-2013 (Provisional)SOME TIPS ON USING THIS REVISION DIARY

ALDER GRANGE SCHOOL

EXAM DATES 2019-2020 (PROVISIONAL)

Year 11 GCSE SUMMER EXAMINATIONS 2020

MORNING AFTERNOON

Monday 11 May Computing 1/ Music BTEC/ Cambridge National IT

Tuesday 12 May French 2 & 3 Biology 1Wednesda

y13 May English Literature 1 PE 1 / Sport Studies

Thursday 14 May Chemistry 1 Computing 2Friday 15 May French 4 PE 2

Monday 18 May Geography 1 Drama / Sociology P1Tuesday 19 May Maths 1

Wednesday

20 May Spanish 2 & 3 Physics 1

Thursday 21 May English Literature 2 Psychology 1/ Business U1Friday 22 May Product Design / Sociology 2 /

Enterprise and Marketing

25.05.20 – 30.05.20 Half term

Monday 1 June History 1 Biology 2Tuesday 2 June English Language 1 Business Studies 2

Wednesday

3 June Geography 2 Spanish 4

Thursday 4 June Maths 2 History 2 /Friday 5 June English Language 2 Media 1 / Psychology 2

Monday 8 June Maths 3 Media 2Tuesday 9 June Music

Wednesday

10 June Chemistry 2

Thursday 11 June Geography 3 Statistics 1Friday 12 June Physics 2

Monday 15 JuneTuesday 16 June HOSCAT / Statistics 2

Wednesday

24 June Contingency Day

Note: All candidates must be available for the contingency day in case of exam date changes

GCSE results day – Thursday 20 August 2020

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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 homework 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.

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.

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SOME TIPS ON USING THIS REVISION DIARY

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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

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

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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 speak or give instructions

K. Participating in activities, making or doing

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

V. Watch TV, read, and 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

Total number V (Visual) answers: ______

Total number of A (Auditory) answers: ______

Total number of K (Kinaesthetic) answers: ______

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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

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:8

(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.

(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:9

(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).

(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:

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(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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The Alder Grange Revision Guide

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 trainingWednesday: 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 hourTuesday: No activities revision 3 hoursWednesday: Swimming revision 0 hoursThursday: 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 slotsFrench 6 slotsPE 4 slots and so on…

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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 PETuesday: 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:

The SQ3R Way to Study

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

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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.

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.

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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.

SQ3RSurvey

Question

Read

Recite

Review

Ten Tips for Brilliant Mind Maps

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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

Revision Classes & Study Rooms

School will be running revision classes in all subjects, both at dinner 17

times and after school.  

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The LRC is now available at

lunchtimes for anyone in Year 11 who wants some space to get on

with homework or revision

Need somewhere to do your homework?

Year 10 &11 do you…

Want to do revision

with friends?

May 2020 Calendar

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1st 2nd 3rd

4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

11th

Exam Period Begins

12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th

18th 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th

25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th 31st

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June 2018 Calendar

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th

15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st

22nd 23rd 24th

Contingency Day

25th 26th 27th 28th

29th 30th

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Revision Timetable: Monday to Friday3:30-4:00 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: Weekend9:00-10:00

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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Biology www.cgpbooks.co.uk

Business Studieshttps://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-

nationals/enterprise-and-marketing-level-1-and-2-certificate-j819/

Chemistry www.cgpbooks.co.ukComputing -

Designing the Built Environment

-

Drama https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zbckjxs

English

Youtube (Mr Bruff tutorials, AQA videos and revision materials;

Kahoot quizzes for the lit texts studied;Seneca learning for all texts studied;

BBC Bitesize;GCSE pop.

Frenchwww.frenchinaclick.com

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

Geography https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc

Health & Social Care

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/cambridge-technicals/health-and-social-care-2016-suite/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

History https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zxjk4j6Hospitality & Catering -

IT Cambridge Nationals -

Maths https://mathswatch.co.uk/https://justmaths.co.uk/

Media https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/ztnygk7Music https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zbmct39

Music L2 BTEC https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zbmct39PE www.teachpe.com/

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesizewww.revisionworld.com

PE Cambridge Nationals Sports

StudiesPhysics www.cgpbooks.co.uk

Product Design www.technologystudent.comPsychology

Science Trilogy www.cgpbooks.co.ukSpanish www.linguascope.com  (the intermediate section)

Useful Revision Websites23

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

Past Papers

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AQAhttp://web.aqa.org.uk/exams-office/exams-guidance/qp-ms_finder.php

Edexcelhttp://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/

WJEChttp://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?

nav=106

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Revision and Study GuidesSUBJECT BOARD CODE ENTRY TIERS REVISION/STUDY GUIDE

RECOMMENDEDArt AQA 8201 Single Tier

Biology AQA 8461 Foundation or Higher CGP Complete Revision and Practice, AQA GCSE Biology

Business Studies EDEXCEL 2BS01 Single Tier Book provided

Chemistry AQA 8462 Foundation or HigherCGP Complete Revision and Practice,

AQA GCSE Chemistry

Computing OCR J276 Single Tier Book providedDesigning the Built

Environment EDUQAS 9820 Single Tier None needed

Drama EDUQAS C690QS Single Tier New Grade 9-1 GCSE Drama Revision Guide

English Language AQA 8700 Single Tier

GCSE English Language AQA Revision Guide

Product code: ENAR41ISBN: 9781782943693

English Literature AQA 8702 Single Tier

https://flipscocards.com/Students will need cards for 19th C

novel (varies from set to set), Macbeth, An Inspector Calls and AQA Power and

Conflict poetry (all of these costs around 14 pounds but is well worth it!)

Or;

AQA Anthology of Poetry: Power & conflict

ISBN-10: 1782943617An Inspector Calls: The text guide for

the Grade 9-1 course.ISBN-10: 1841461156

Macbeth: The text guide for the grade 9-1 course.

ISBN-10: 1841461164

Cambridge. Macbeth GCSEISBN-10: 110745395X

Cambridge. A Christmas CarolISBN-10: 1316504603

French EDUQAS C800 Foundation or Higher

CGP GCSE French complete Revision and Practice with

Audio or; CGP GCSE French Revision

Guide – Higher or; CGP GCSE French Revision

Guide – Foundation.

Geography AQA 8035 Single Tier

New GCSE 9-1 Geography AQA Revision Guide (with Online Ed) -

New Edition for 2020 exams & beyond (CGP GCSE Geography 9-

1 Revision)

Health & Social Care EDEXCEL 2HS01 Single Tier

My Revision Notes HSC Cambridge Technical  Level ½

History AQA 8145 Single Tier GCSE History AQA Revision Guide - 26

for the Grade 9-1 Course (CGP GCSE History 9-1 Revision)

Hospitality & Catering WJEC 5569 Single Tier

IT Cambridge Nationals OCR J810 Single Tier Cambridge National Level 1/2 Enterprise and Marketing

Maths AQA 8300 Foundation or Higher Any CGP

Media AQA 4810 Single Tier WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Media Studies: Revision Guide

Music EDUQAS C660 Single Tier WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Music Revision Guide

Music L2 BTEC Single TierPE OCR J587 Single Tier OCR GCSE PE

PE Cambridge Nationals Sports Studies OCR Single Tier

Physics AQA 8463 Foundation or Higher CGP Complete Revision and Practice, AQA GCSE Physics

Product Design AQA 4555 Single Tier

CGP Design and technology for the grade 9-1 course. The revision guide.CGP Design and technology for the

grade 9-1 course. Exam Practice Workbook.

Psychology WJEC 4430 Single Tier

Science Trilogy AQA 8464 Foundation or Higher

CGP Complete Revision and Practice, AQA GCSE Combined Science -

BiologyCGP Complete Revision and Practice,

AQA GCSE Combined Science – Chemistry

CGP Complete Revision and Practice, AQA GCSE Combined Science –

Physics

Spanish None Recommended

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GCSE Key WordsWhat 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?

Contrast Look for differences

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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

FactorsThe facts or circumstances that contribute to a result

IllustrateGive 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

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

OutlineChoose the most important aspect of a topic. Ignore the minor details

Relate Show the connection between things

RoleThe part something plays and how it does this

Summarise Bring together the main points

State Recall a fact

TraceShow how something has developed from beginning to end

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Exam Coping Skills

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Positiveselftalk

 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.

Useonly

reviewnotes

 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.

Stickto

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

CheckKey word

list Past papers should help you understand A dictionary could help

Checkequipment

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

Checkexamdates

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

Arriveon

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.

During the Exam

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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

Equipment

32 2 black pens

2 Pencils

Rubber

Pencil sharpener

Important areas in school

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2 black pens

2 Pencils

Rubber

Pencil sharpener

 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?

 ______________________________________________________

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.

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 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?

 ______________________________________________________

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.

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.

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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 December. 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.

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

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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 £15 at GCSE and £16 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.

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