How to revise so it actually sticks
Most revision is just re-reading, and re-reading barely works. Four methods do — and they're not complicated. Here they are, plus a weekly routine to put them into practice.
Active recall — test, don't re-read
Re-reading notes feels productive but barely sticks. Retrieving an answer from memory is what builds it. Close the book and answer the question first — every time.
Drill the question bankSpaced repetition — review just before you forget
A fact reviewed today, then in 3 days, then in a week, sticks far longer than the same time spent cramming. Let a system schedule the comebacks so you don't have to.
Start a flashcard deckInterleaving — mix topics, don't block
Doing 30 questions on one topic feels smooth but fools you into thinking you've mastered it. Mixing topics forces you to choose the right method — which is exactly what the exam tests.
Shuffle a mixed quizPast papers — under timed conditions
The single highest-value revision there is. Do them to time, mark them honestly against the mark scheme, and log which topics cost you marks — then go back to methods 1–3 on those.
Learn the command wordsA weekly routine that uses all four
- Most days (15–20 min): clear whatever flashcards are due, then do 5–10 mixed questions. Little and often beats one big session.
- Twice a week (45 min): a focused block on your weakest topic — learn it, then immediately test yourself on it.
- Once a week (1 hr): a past paper (or section) to time. Mark it against the mark scheme. Write down the topics that cost you marks — that's next week's focus.
Consistency is the whole game. Your study dashboard tracks a streak for exactly this reason — 15 minutes most days compounds into a grade.
Want a plan built around your gaps?
The tools get you a long way alone. If you want a topic-by-topic plan and someone to explain the hard bits, the first tutoring lesson is a free diagnostic — no obligation.