Getting the GCSE results can be overwhelming with all the expectations you and your parents have from you. These grades will be a deciding factor in your future choices in education and career. Yes, GCSE exams are hard, but getting good GCSE grades is not a miracle. With a bit of discipline and planning, you can get there.
Getting good GCSE results requires perseverance. However, your efforts are resultless when they are not organised and target-oriented. So, the first thing you need is a revision plan.
Step 1: Designing a Revision Schedule
Before I get to the revision schedule, let me tell you that it is a rare thing to make a plan that works 100 percent. A common mistake in devising a revision plan is being idealistic.
You may plan to study for long hours and determine the exact time you want to spend on each subject. But when you start revising, you will find it challenging to keep up with your plan.
So, your plan needs to be flexible, and you need to adapt yourself to the flexibility of your plan. OK, now let’s get to the features of a practical and resultful revision plan.
It Should Be Comprehensive
Your revision schedule should cover all of the topics assessed in the GCSEs. But there is one consideration here. You should focus more on the core subjects, especially English and maths, as well as the subjects you want to choose for further education. Sixth forms and colleges require high GCSE grades for these subjects, particularly if you aspire to apply to top universities in the UK
It Should Match Your Preferences
By preferences, I mean anything that sets you apart as an individual. For example, if you are a morning bird, you should start your daily study schedule early in the morning and vice versa. Additionally, the revision methods should also match your learning style.
For instance, if you are a kinesthetic learner, going to the library is not your best choice. Maybe you find reading while walking in a quiet space more helpful than sitting behind a desk all day long.
Knowledge of learning styles and strategies contributes to the productivity of your revision plan. I found two pamphlets on various learning styles and study strategies for each. Click on the following link to download them.
It Should Be Realistic
No one knows you better than you do. Consider your resources and decide how much time you can spend on revision. Start with revising two hours a day and try to reach 6 to 8 hours of revision per day.
Remember, a good plan is a doable plan. By the way, don’t turn being realistic into being pessimistic. Don’t underestimate yourself, and try to push your limits step by step. That’s called progress.
It Should Be Detailed and Exact
When you want to make a revision plan, you should determine how much time to spend on what topic and how many pages to study on which day. Your revision plan should be holistic and, at the same time, breakable to specific hours. In other words, you should arrange a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule. For each plan, you need to set a target to make the plan meaningful. Moreover, reaching targets gives you a sense of achievement that motivates you to keep going.
It Should Contain Breaks
How much time can you concentrate on what you are reading without needing a break? How much time do you need to cool off? The answer determines your personalised study and break cycle. There are also some techniques you can apply to your study habits, such as the Pomodoro technique or the 50/10 rule.
“Studies show that people generally cannot do more than 90 minutes of sustained intellectual work like studying.”
Click on “Study Breaks: How to Rest Productively” to read more.
Step 2:Diversify Your Revision Resources
Using different resources allows you to approach the GCSEs from various perspectives. One resource may cover details that are not mentioned in others. Furthermore, different resources reinforce the same information in different formats, which enhances memory retention. More importantly, when you use different learning channels, the revision becomes more engaging and concentrated. Overall, diversifying your resources maximises your preparedness for the GCSE exams. The table below lists some of the online resources you can use to revise for the GCSE exams.
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GCSE Revision Resources |
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| Resource Type | Name | Description |
| Books | CGP Revision Guides | Comprehensive revision guides for various GCSE subjects. |
| Oxford Revise | Revision guides and workbooks tailored for different GCSE subjects. | |
| Pearson Revise | Pearson’s series of revision guides for GCSE students. | |
| Collins GCSE Revision | Study guides and practice books for a range of GCSE subjects. | |
| Letts GCSE Success | Revision guides and practice books covering multiple GCSE subjects. | |
| Podcasts | The GCSE Revision Podcast | Tips and strategies for revising and understanding GCSE content. |
| Revise – GCSE and A-level Revision | Various subjects and topics discussed and explained in detail. | |
| BBC Bitesize Revision Podcast | Subject-specific podcasts to aid GCSE revision. | |
| YouTube Channels | Mr Bruff | English language and literature revision videos. |
| Free Science Lessons | Detailed GCSE science lessons and explanations. | |
| Primrose Kitten | Covers a wide range of GCSE subjects with revision tips and tutorials. | |
| Maths Genie | GCSE Maths tutorials and revision resources. | |
| History with Hilbert | Engaging history revision and explanations. | |
| Websites | BBC Bitesize | Comprehensive revision materials and interactive content for all GCSE subjects. |
| Seneca Learning | Free interactive revision courses for a range of subjects. | |
| Quizlet | Flashcards and study sets created by students and teachers. | |
| GoConqr | Revision resources, mind maps, flashcards, and quizzes. | |
| Articles | Best Revision Books for GCSE | An exhaustive list of handpicked GCSE revision books for each GCSE subject |
| Best Way to Revise Physics GCSE | Revision tips and resources for Physics GCSE | |
| GCSE Revision Timetable Template | Free printable daily and weekly revision timetables + progress check template | |
| How to Revise for Combined Science GCSE | Revision tips and resources for Combined Science GCSE | |
Step 3: Create an Exam-focused Environment for Yourself
Being in the proper environment has a significant effect on the GCSE results. What I mean by an exam-focused environment is a positive, quiet place with goal-oriented people. The benefits of such a place include:
- It motivates you to stick to your plans.
- You can get help from other students if you encounter a complex topic.
- Distracting factors are eliminated or reduced.
- It accelerated your revision pace.
Step 4: Get Help From a GCSE Tutor
As you get closer to the end of secondary education, you should make some life-changing decisions. GCSEs are the first serious step you take towards higher education. Even if you want to directly enter the workforce, good GCSEs can give you more choices in your desired field.
A professional tutor can make a significant difference in taking this critical step. Tutors are aware of the challenges a young person faces and understand how revising for the GCSE exams can be demanding. They can help you design a practical and personalised revision plan that focuses on your weaknesses and knowledge gaps. They can oversee your revision process and give you feedback on your performance to help you learn from your mistakes and reach your study targets faster.
Ostado‘s online tutors can meet all the expectations you have from a tutor. Our tutors can work around your schedule to hold the online sessions at your convenience. Even better, the tuition fees are extremely competitive. Choose your preferred GCSE tutors and see for yourself.
Step 5: Practise Past Papers
Practising past exam papers helps you familiarise yourself with the exam format, question types, and marking schemes. Past papers also help you identify the recurrent topics. You can include exam papers in your revision schedule and take them periodically to assess yourself and find the knowledge gaps.
Practising past papers is most effective when you simulate the exam conditions. For instance, you can wear the clothes you want to wear to the exam session, put only what you’re allowed to take with you on your desk, and set a time limit.
Frequent practice of past papers develops or improves your test-taking strategies. This blog post introduces 16 Test-Taking Strategies for Success. Click on the link to learn more.
You can access past papers on each exam board website. The table below gives you the links to past papers by different exam boards in the UK.
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GCSE Exam Boards Past Papers |
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| Exam Board | Description |
| AQA | AQA’s official repository of past GCSE exam papers and mark schemes. |
| Edexcel (Pearson) | Past exam papers and mark schemes for Edexcel GCSE exams. |
| OCR | OCR’s collection of past GCSE exam papers and mark schemes. |
| WJEC | Past papers and mark schemes for WJEC GCSE exams. |
| CCEA | Access to past papers and mark schemes for CCEA GCSE exams. |
| Cambridge Assessment International Education | Past papers and mark schemes for Cambridge IGCSE exams. |
Key Takeaways: Revision Tips for the GCSE Exam
Let’s go over some techniques and strategies you can employ to have a productive revision. I’ve already mentioned some of them above, but it doesn’t hurt to review them.
- Create a timetable: Decide what you want to study each day and how much time you wish to spend on it. Be realistic. Click to download the printable revision timetable.
- Break down the syllabus: Break each subject into manageable topics and subtopics to make the revision more organised. Focus on the subjects and topics that are more challenging or carry more weight in the exam.
- Engage in the learning process: By using active learning techniques, you can make the revision more engaging and interesting. These techniques include highlighting, colour coding, note-taking, summarising, flashcards, mind maps, etc.
- Use different resources: Using various resources helps you understand all aspects of a topic and maximises your preparedness for the exam. In other words, there won’t be any surprises on the exam paper.
- Use past papers: Practising past papers familiarises you with the exam format, mark schemes, and the wording of the questions. Past papers are a great way to assess yourself and find the gaps.
- Mind your learning style: Find what your learning style is and employ the learning strategies that are in line with it.
- Keep track of time: Time management is one of the key skills needed in the revision plan and in the exam session. Click on “8 Time Management Tips for Students” to read more.
- Take regular breaks: Don’t wear yourself out. You won’t learn much if you are tired or sleepy. Freshen up and start studying again.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Get enough sleep and eat nutritious food, especially on the days leading up to the exam.
- Get help from a tutor: If things seem to be getting out of control and your revision seems to be in a rut, there is no need to panic. Just get help from a GCSE tutor. Remember, Ostado’s GCSE tutors are here to help.
What To Do With Bad Grades
Getting good GCSE results isn’t hard with enough revision, and passing GCSEs is even easier. Still, life gets in the way sometimes, and despite your efforts, you don’t achieve the desired results.
First and foremost, you can always resit the GCSE exams as many times as you like until you get the desired GCSE grades.
Secondly, if you think the GCSEs are just not cut out for the way you want to shape your future, there are several other alternatives to GCSEs.
So, don’t be disappointed if you don’t get what you hoped for. There are other doors to open!
FAQs - How to Get Good GCSE Grades
- How can I improve my GCSE grades?The best way to improve your GCSE grades is to take mock exams or practise past papers to identify your knowledge gaps and then make a revision plan that focuses on your weaknesses while covering all other GCSE topics.
- How do you get a 9 in every GCSE?Getting a 9 in all GCSEs requires extensive studying. You should start early and use multiple resources to know everything there is to know about the GCSE topics. Familiarity with exam format and questions is also vital.
- How to get the best GCSE results?You should adopt a positive attitude, plan a meticulous revision schedule, believe in yourself, and push your limits to get the best results. Also, give the ten tips in the above article to another reader.