Revising for an exam can be daunting. There is an underlying assumption that you will spend hours each day poring over books to prepare for an exam. In reality, the quality of revision matters far more than quantity. Much of this relies on using a variety of different revision techniques to help memorise a topic.
The best revision methods will be creative, repetitive and active, to keep you mentally and physically alert. Rereading your notes or highlighting pages is passive, and you are less involved. Research and school-tested revision strategies point to active revision for better understanding and memory retention.
This article explores eight methods to help you revise effectively. They are practical and easy to apply. You can apply them if you are preparing for a GCSE exam or a similar qualification.
If you need personalised revision support, you can learn with a qualified tutor at TeachTutti. Follow the link to learn how tuition works with TeachTutti.
Why Using the Right Revision Technique Matters
Not all revision is equally effective. Two students can spend the same amount of time revising and get very different results. The difference is often the revision technique they use.
Passive revision, such as rereading notes or copying information, can create a false sense of confidence. It feels familiar, but it does not always lead to real understanding or long-term memory. This is why students often forget content soon after revising it.
Effective revision techniques are active. They require students to think, recall information, and apply what they have learned. This process strengthens memory and helps knowledge stick. Over time, students become faster, more confident, and better prepared for exams.
Using the right techniques also makes revision more efficient. Instead of revising for longer, students can revise smarter. This leaves more time for rest, balance, and maintaining motivation throughout the exam period.
1. Spaced repetition
Rather than cramming for an exam in one chunk, spaced repetition means returning to the same material multiple times over days or weeks.
This is effective because the brain forgets information as time passes. Returning to the same topic multiple times over days or weeks is far more effective than a single, extended revision session. It helps recall during exam questions.
The approach is straightforward. Using a calendar or revision timetable, plan to review the topic on the following day, then a few days following that, and then a week following this. Keep the sessions short and focused.
Spaced repetition is effective for facts, formulas, vocabulary, and key concepts. Try combining it with active recall, which is discussed below.
2. Active recall
Rather than looking at notes, active recall means trying to remember the answers first. Then you can look at the information to see what was right and wrong.
Active recall is effective because the brain has to retrieve information from memory. It results in learning that is deeper and more durable. This is true even if your answer is incorrect, as it shows the weaknesses in your knowledge.
These are some of the ways to use active recall:
- Answering practice questions
- Testing yourself against flashcards
- Writing everything you remember about a topic before checking your notes
It works well alongside spaced repetition and is effective for all subjects, including English. TeachTutti has experienced English tutors who can help you prepare for literature in the curriculum, e.g. preparing key quotes to memorise.
Flash cards
Flash cards are a great way to use active recall when you need to revise. Instead of reading notes, a student tries to answer a question or recall information on a card. They then turn the card over to see if they were correct. For example, a Music GCSE question could be "When was Beethoven born?"
If this method is for you, try using flashcards regularly in combination with spaced repetition. Return to the cards that you repeatedly struggle with.
Flashcards are usually physical, but they can also be digital. Keep them simple, with a single question or idea per card. They should be quick to use and easy to revisit.
They work particularly well for learning definitions, formulas, key vocabulary, and short facts. This makes it ideal for science subjects. For extra support, TeachTutti has top Science tutors across a range of levels, including GCSE and A Level. They can help you to revise specific topics in person or online through the TeachTutti virtual platform.
3. Self-testing
Self-testing is all about self-diagnosis by the student. The idea is for the student to see what they know and check their exam readiness. It could be doing a past paper, taking questions on practice papers, or taking short quizzes.
The benefit is that you can find the weaknesses in your knowledge. Using the results from your answers, you can see what areas need more practice.
It also helps to mark answers using a mark scheme, as you learn how marks are awarded. It is a useful addition to keep your preparation focused and on track. If you have prepared properly, it is good to include in the lead-up to your exams, as it will build confidence, improve exam pacing, and reduce surprises on the exam day.
Knowledge grids
A knowledge grid lists subject topics in a grid. Students then rate their confidence or accuracy for each topic. It makes the gaps in knowledge clear and helps to focus revision time by visually seeing the topics you need to revise as a priority.
4. Blurting
Blurting is a simple yet effective technique. It may sound like a vocal task, but it actually means to write down everything you can remember about a specific topic. The key is to do it in one go, without looking at your notes.
When you have finished, compare what you have written with your notes. You will see the gaps in your recall and the areas to focus on. Blurting is great because it's active - your brain is forced to retrieve information, which strengthens memory and improves your understanding. It's particularly useful when the subject has a lot of content in the syllabus, such as humanities and science.
Try to use it with spaced repetition by "blurting" the same topic every few days until the weak areas have been addressed. You can think of it like the "rubbing-in" method in baking, when you use your fingertips to rub butter into flour: every once in a while, you shake the bowl so the remaining lumps come to the surface, which you then break down with your fingers.
5. Exam-style practice
There is an overlap between exam-style practice and self-testing. Where self-testing is about diagnosis, exam-style practice aims to apply what you have learned under conditions as close to the exam as possible.
As well as improving subject knowledge, it helps students to improve their exam technique. This includes:
- How questions are worded
- How marks are awarded
- How to structure answers
- Pacing so the student doesn't run out of time
Doing exam-style practice means using past papers or sample questions. Depending on the subject, it may also mean timing yourself for practical tasks.
It is particularly useful for Maths, due to the need for accuracy and method. If you need support with Maths exam preparation, TeachTutti has qualified Maths tutors who can support your revision with specific recommendations for this subject.
6. The Pomodoro technique
Revision tends to be tedious, and it is easy to lose focus. The Pomodoro technique aims to maintain your focus during revision sessions. It is time management, where each session is broken into short, structured sessions. This is normally 25 minutes of work, and then take breaks of 5 minutes.
Naturally, our concentration drops when we revise for a long period of time. Eating nutritious food and staying hydrated helps, but we can't maintain our concentration indefinitely for a long period of time. Having a short, focused session is effective at keeping students engaged and avoiding distractions because they are aware that a break is approaching.
During a Pomodoro session, try to focus on a single task. This could be revising a topic, completing worksheet questions, or testing your knowledge against a set of flashcards. Avoid multitasking if possible.
Continue this approach for four sessions and then have a longer break. This avoids burnout and can maintain revision for a longer duration. If you look at timings, four 25-minute sessions and four 5-minute breaks are equal to 2 hours, which means a longer break may roughly coincide with a meal time.
This technique is especially useful if the student struggles with focus and motivation when revising. For example, some may be intimidated and put off by a revision session that seems to have no end in sight.
7. The Feynman technique
The Feynman Technique was named after the physicist Richard Feynman. He advocated a deeper understanding of a topic, rather than memorisation. He felt that a complete understanding would naturally lead to memorisation and avoid the risk of rote memorisation. The topic is covered with simple language, as if teaching a child.
There are four stages:
- Pick the topic you want to study
- Write/speak the topic. Pretend you are explaining it to a child who has no previous understanding
- Find the gaps in your understanding. This will happen when you can't explain something simply or without jargon
- Go back to your notes and fill in your knowledge gaps. Then repeat this process until the explanation is clear and simplified the entire way through the topic
This approach can be written or spoken by the student, depending on what they find more natural. You can do it on your own, or teach a friend or family member.
It particularly helps with subjects that involve more processes and concepts, including Maths and Science.
8. Mind maps and visual revision
Visual revision techniques are a great way to break ideas down into key points and organise information clearly. This includes using mind maps.
Our brains are good at remembering images, patterns and connections. Visual layouts lean on this ability by showing how topics fit together, helping understanding and recall.
To create mindmaps, choose a central idea and place it in the middle of the page. You then create strands from the idea, which then branch into sub-branches. For example, the central idea is "Music", a branch is "Classical Music", and the sub-branch is "Baroque". Try to use colours and symbols to group ideas and show importance. For example, see the diagram below.
Using visual revision helps when planning essays, revising processes, and linking themes. You should combine this approach with techniques, including active recall or spaced repetition.
Combining best revision techniques effectively
These are some of the best revision techniques. However, they are far more effective when several are combined in a structured way.
When choosing a revision guide, start with spaced repetition as the framework. You should return to topics regularly, changing the technique used each time. For example, the first session for a topic could use active recall, the second could use blurting, and the third revisit could focus on exam-style practice.
This will keep your sessions fresh and your mind engaged. Using the same method each time will become boring and reduce the effectiveness of the technique.
Remember to stay realistic and aim to make steady progress rather than vast improvements in a short space of time. In the long run, short, regular sessions are more effective than long, irregular ones. Keeping your expectations in line will avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Conclusion - Revision tips
Revising should not be a daunting experience, with no end in sight. Too often, students will jump straight into preparing for an exam without building a revision strategy. The focus should be on quality rather than quantity, or to put it another way, study smart.
We have explored various ways to revise, from the Pomodoro technique to active recall. Techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and exam-style practice help students build a strong understanding and long-term memory.
Every student is different, and you will know how you learn best based on your learning style preferences. Choose the methods that are best for you, to make revision more manageable, more effective and ultimately more rewarding.
