Saint Augustines Roman Catholic High School

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Saint Augustines Roman Catholic High School
Making the most of the time thats left
How to prepare for your GCSEs
How to cope in the exam room
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18th March 2009
35 school days left
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This is where it all happens
and you can still make a difference
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This is your best chance. Dont waste it.
Repeat years rarely pay off.
Youll have to record your GCSE results on
every application form youll write
Busy recruiters look at grades before they make
offers
Its a tough competitive world out there. Every
grade in every subject matters.
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Organising my revision
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What do I need to revise?
Check the syllabus and teachers notes
Go through past papers and see how questions will
be asked essays, short answers, one word,
multiple choice.
Identify the topics that you have difficulty
with and concentrate on those BUT dont neglect
the others.
Vary your revision between what you like and
what you find hard - but revise it all!
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How long have I got?
Make a chart of the weeks and days left
Build up your confidence over time. Dont leave
things till the last minute.
Make a realistic revision timetable.
Tick off each revision item that you Complete.
Keep monitoring your progress and what works for
you.
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Science
Separate Sciences One 45 min paper left to do
for each subject.
Additional science Two 45 min papers left -
Biology and Physics.
Human Physiology One two hour paper
Check with teachers which Physics formulae you
will need to know and which will be given in the
exam
Past papers and mark schemes can be found on the
AQA website. Go to AQA - Qualifications - GCSE -
Name of subject.
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Science
Revision Bitesize is always worth looking at
Revision Summary cards and notes useful
At the very start of the examination
Look carefully at the marks awarded to each
question. Make sure you give the correct number
of relevant answers.
Marks awarded for good English Take care with
sentences, capital letters, full stops,
punctuation, scientific terminology.
Show all working out for calculations/units
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Science
Youll need to bring to the exam with you
calculator, rubber, black biro, ruler, pencil,
pencil sharpener and pencil
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Religious Studies
Revision Be clear about what you are
revising. What do I need to know?
Revision Look back to your Unit Outline Thats
your revision list!
Tick off when youve completed each section
Use your Revision booklet
Learn your key words
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Religious Studies
The Examination Paper C is 2 hours.
Answer Question 9 first! This is advice of Chief
Examiner Religion and The Media Read question
carefully. Spend 30 mins on it. Remember you get
marks for good English
Questions 1-8 You answer four Spend 22 mins on
each including reading time. Mark scheme a2, b
6, c 8 and d 4 You get most marks for b and
c so make your choice on these two
Keep inside margin! Electronic marking
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English
The Examination Paper 1 is 2 hours.
Section A Reading 4 questions on prose
extract. About 55 minutes recommended Each
question A1, A2, A3, A4 10 marks. Spend 10-15
minutes on each.
Section B Writing Two pieces of writing About
65 minutes recommended. B1 Descriptive writing.
20 marks. 25 mins B2 Imaginative writing. 20
marks. 40 mins Marks for content, organisation,
sentence structure and punctuation
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English
The Examination Paper 2 is 2 hours.
Section A Reading 4 questions on non-fiction
and media texts. About 50 minutes
recommended Each question A1, A2, A3, A4 10
marks. Spend 10-15 minutes on each.
Section B Writing Two pieces of writing About
70 minutes recommended. Both are
transactional/discursive pieces B1 20 marks. 35
minutes B2 20 marks. 35 minutes. Marks for
content organisation, sentence str. and
punctuation
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English Literature
Examination Paper is 2 hours 30 minutes
Section A Prose Two questions. 1 hour. Q1
Close reading of extract from set text 10 marks
20 minutes recommended Q2 Extended writing on
set text 20 marks 40 minutes recommended
Section B Drama Two questions. 1 hour Exactly
the same format at Section A.
Section C Poetry One question. 30 mins Guided
response to unseen poem. 10 marks.
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Mathematics
Attend extra support classes Youll be given
advance notice about these
www.sarchs.com Mathematics page Mymaths Booster
Pack Mathswatch GCSE Resources AQA website for
past papers and answers
Practise past papers! Look at the model answers
given to exam questions
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Mathematics
Make your revision active Highlighting key
words and points
Check you understand rules for negatives
Check which formulas you need to learn and which
ones are given
Bring the correct equipment pens, pencil,
protractor, ruler and calculator in D mode
Read the questions carefully if units arent
given on the answer line there will be a mark for
them eg cm2, m3 etc
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Where should I revise?
For how long should I revise?
How should I revise?
Revise where you can concentrate best
You cant revise with loud music or the TV on
Remember concentration spans are limited
Time your breaks but dont overstep them!
Youre not alone. Ask for help. Work with
friends. Dont be taken in by posers.
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Revision techniques
Youll need new notes for revision.
Use 3x5 cards, colours, symbols, short-hand
anything which works for YOU.
Think about what youre doing! Are you really
absorbing information or are you going through
the motions?
Good notes take time share them with friends.
Keep referring to past papers and the syllabus.
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Skills for writing under pressure
Time yourself against the clock. This is an
essential skill Youll need lots of practice to
get it right.
Ration your time to each question. Notes are
better than nothing.
Think before you write.
Mnemonics can help.
Richard of York gave battle in vain
My very easy method just speeds up naming planets
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As the exams approach
Check you know when the exams take place and
what to bring with you.
Keep checking accuracy of your notes especially
key words, names and terms.
Check you understand the phrasing of questions
describe/identify/assess/ either...or/and/any
three.
Look again at past papers. The marks given
tell you how much time to spend on each question.
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The big day finally arrives
A day or two before it go through all your
notes. Its far too late to revise new material
Is all your equipment, with spares, checked?
Eat and sleep in a regular way. No late night
revision!
On the day itself arrive in good time and in
your uniform.
Visit the loo if you need to.
Avoid wind-up conversations.
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In the Exam Hall
Say a little prayer. God loves you, whatever
happens
Keep calm! Read the exam paper carefully.
Underline key words. Check mark allocation.
Check youve understood the rubric.
Dont start writing immediately. Start with
questions you feel most confident about.
Make sure to write the correct question number
alongside your answer.
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More Exam skills
Plan your time properly. Every second
counts. Work out the mark allocation and budget
your time.
Answer the questions set, not the ones you hoped
for.
Remember your teachers advice, you wont go wrong
Dont woffle. Get straight to the point. Make
points.
Dont tolerate distractions. Tell a supervisor at
once!
Give yourself some time to check through your
paper.
After the exam, avoid post-mortems.
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Good luck! You can do it!