I have my IB mid-course exams coming up soon and in preparation for that I thought I would write up a handy-dandy guide/list of a couple of revision methods which I find to be most helpful!
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Transferring notes
This can be something as simple as copying them into a neat and condensed version, making a mind-map, trying to put a chapter onto a post-it, moving them online from paper, or vice versa, or making it into a presentation to teach your friends and family about whatever subject you are revising. Whatever you are doing with them, transferring notes force you to read, comprehend, digest, and understand at both a simple and complex level the content in a much better way than simply rereading them does. It also allows you to notice gaps in your notes which you can then fill in.
2. Practice questions
Revision guides are great for this, but online resources also exist such as questions banks and past papers. Chances are that whatever textbook you are using also has some. Don’t be afraid about using them up, repeating questions lets you compare your improvement in style, technique, and see if you have forgotten any content. The more variety and range that you can find them in, the better. Practice exam questions are the best, especially if you can do them in timed exam conditions. Answering them first with what you already know and then answering them with textbook info in a different colour is also very valuable for seeing what might come up that you don’t already know, and what you therefore need to focus your revision on.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com4. Looking at the specification
The specification will tell you exactly what you need to know and what you don’t. It will show you whether you need to know certain examples or be able to draw diagrams of whatever it is you are learning. It also helps you to sort out what you actually need to know and what is just detail thrown in by your teacher. You can use the specification to come up with practice questions and to review your knowledge.
Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative on Pexels.com3. Teaching others
Sometimes group revision can be a mess, and sometimes it can be helpful. It really depends on the context, and the people who you are with. Quizzing your friends and teaching them any gaps in their knowledge is good for everyone! You can also hold each other accountable and make sure that everyone is revising and not just getting distracted which is very helpful if you have a tendency to do that. As a bonus, you get to socialise and maybe go out of your house and eat some snacks! You are probably neglecting self care and having fun if you get too stressed about your exams and this can be a good reminder.
Photo by Charlotte May on Pexels.com
I hope that this has been useful to you and I wish you readers all the best of luck in whatever you are revising for!
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