Revision doesn’t need to be complicated. We’ve kept this guide super short so you can spend more time using it and less time reading about it.
Know What You’re Being Examined On
This is the single most important step. Go and download your exam board’s specification, print it off, and keep it on your desk. It shows you exactly what’s in and out of your exam. Tick topics off as you cover them — that way you never waste time revising stuff that won’t even come up.
Make a Simple Plan
Now you know the topics, get a plan together. This doesn’t need to take hours — literally jump onto an AI chatbot and ask it to build you a simple revision plan, or use the chatbot on our site to do it for you.
Here’s a prompt you can copy and paste straight into ChatGPT (or any AI tool):
“I’m a [GCSE/A-Level] student revising for [subject/s]. My exams are on [date/s]. Please create a simple revision timetable that breaks topics into 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks. Make sure to include time for review and past paper practice.”
Once you’ve got your plan, follow it consistently. Stick to 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks — and here’s the key: don’t spend those breaks scrolling on your phone. Reset properly — step outside, grab a drink, or stretch.
Test Yourself Before You Revise
Here’s the game-changer: active recall before studying. Instead of diving straight into notes, test yourself first.
Let’s say you’re revising photosynthesis. Go to your photosynthesis notes — or even better, head to a question bank (like the one on our platform) — and try a few questions before you start studying. Even if you get them wrong, it helps your brain get familiar with the topic, spot gaps in knowledge, and prime you to learn more effectively when you go back over your notes.
Understand Your Timing
Not everyone studies best at the same time of day. Some people focus better in the morning, others at night. Don’t put yourself in a box thinking you have to revise first thing to be successful.
For example, I’m sitting here writing this with a Master’s degree in Chemistry, and I almost always revised in the evenings. That’s just how my brain worked best.
The point is: find the rhythm that suits you. Pay attention to when you feel most alert and build your revision sessions around that. You’ll get far more out of two hours at your peak than four hours when you’re half-asleep.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✘ Copying notes word-for-word without testing yourself
✘ Leaving revision until the night before
✘ Thinking more hours automatically = better results
✘ Revising with your phone next to you
✘ Ignoring exam technique and past papers
Our Final Thought
Revision is about quality, not endless hours. Print your spec, make a simple plan, test yourself first, and find the timing that works for you.
👉 Want ready-made questions, past papers, and smart revision tools? Try Revise Right today and take the stress out of exam prep.
