It is really important that you apply yourself fully to the task that lies ahead. Follow the information and advice below well, it will help you feel in control and prevent you from panicking and feeling overwhelmed.

We’re here to help every step of the way, but you should remember that it CAN be done and all that is needed for you to get the best grades possible is…YOURSELF!

Remember, You are not giving up your free time, you are investing it in your future. So, where do you start?

· Create a revision plan and build in breaks to relax, it will help you manage your time more effectively and identify the subjects you need to prioritise.

· Break down your revision into manageable sections, and learn one at a time.

· Plan to study the most difficult subjects first, and not at the end of the day when you are tired.

· Focus. Twenty minutes of working followed by ten minutes rest is a good plan to start with.

· Set achievable targets and review your progress as you go along.

· Collaborate with some of your friends and classmates, learning together will help.

· Practice. One of the best recommendations from past GCSE students is to practice doing as many GCSE past papers as you can.

· Understand your learning style, everyone is different. Click here to find out which category you think you fall into.

· Mix up your studying methods; past papers, podcasts, videos, online study groups or even something as simple as different coloured notes for different subjects.

Take a look at these websites for tips on how to start your revision planning; www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.com www.ncsyes.co.uk www.goconqr.com

The day of your exam

You’ve done all your revision and studied hard to get here. Follow our advice to make sure you remain calm and everything goes without a hitch.

· Make sure you’ve had enough sleep the night before. Staying up late to cram is not a good idea. Get to bed early and plan an earlier waking time…set that alarm!

· Arrive on time. Plan your travel and aim to get there at least 10-15 minutes before the start of your exam.

· Plan your equipment. Make sure you pack everything you need and don’t leave it until the morning of the exam.

· Read every question carefully. If you rush, you may read it incorrectly and provide an answer that isn’t suitable.

· Review your answers. Check for spelling errors and expand your answer if you think it will add value. If it is a Maths paper do your calculations again just to double check you didn’t make any mistakes.

· Stop and think. If your mind goes blank during the exam, stop, do a simple breathing exercise to focus and then read through the question. If it helps, move on to a question you know you can answer and then move back to the trickier stuff later.

· Stay for the whole exam. Even if you have finished writing, read your paper over again. You may be surprised how much you could add in those last few minutes and it could gain you a few more marks.

· Stay calm and focus…the best advice of all!

Take a look at these websites for some brilliant exam day tips;

www.bbc.co.uk

www.aqa.org.uk

www.goconqr.com