How Can I Revise for the GCSE English Exam? - Consider this blog if you are struggling with revision

Revising for your GCSE English Exam can be done using multiple methods:

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1. Go over your assigned book and highlight the quotes while considering what words are important for an essay.

2. Create mind maps using Canva or any other mind map websites to help memorise the different connotations of the keywords in the quotes.

3. Create flashcards for key quotes.

4. Create memo cards to symbolise a quote. This could be a key word from the quote. For example, for "A Christmas Carol," a key quote is “solitary as an oyster.” You could draw an oyster to help visualise the quote.

5. Meet with friends once a week to go over key quotes from each book. You can each discuss different connotations and analyses of quotes from your assigned books. For example, if your assigned book is "Romeo and Juliet," you could have a discussion about the quote “I defy you, stars.” This would be great to help you consider the different ways a quote can be analysed and would be helpful to boost your grades.

6. Use the blurting method. You can use a whiteboard to write down all the quotes you have remembered after 30 minutes. Repeat this if this method works for you! This will ensure that you have specific topics to focus on before your English exam, filling in any gaps and ensuring you are not worried about missing relevant points in your exam.

7. Make reading a hobby! This will help you with your vocabulary and increase your reading speed. This is a great tip to help you during your exam, leaving you feeling relieved that you do not have to rush through the paper.

8. Read your assigned book in advance. You could ask for a summer reading list to ensure you are well-prepared.

9. Use practice papers to help fill the gaps in your knowledge. You can also use them to practice essays, making multiple drafts.

10. Quality over quantity! When writing about quotes in your essay, choose only the relevant ones and analyse them in depth. Do not start listing quotes without any explanation. A key acronym to ensure you structure your essays correctly is PEEL. This stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link. The last part of the acronym is key to ensure you gain high marks in your exam, as you must link each part of your essay to the question. This will allow the examiner to see that you have read and answered the question with relevant points and evidence.

11. When writing stories for your GCSE English exam, ensure that you read fantasy books or books that you like to help with creative writing. This will increase your vocabulary and maybe even spark some creative skills from your favourite stories.

12. Try your best to relax before the exam. You have done all you can to prepare.

Following these tips can help you effectively revise for your GCSE English Exam and improve your performance.