GCSE Science revision: 7 killer tips to getting top marks

GCSE Science revision guide

The GCSE Science exams are arguably some of the toughest but here's 7 killer tips to getting the best marks you can.

Know what you need to know

There is no 'GCSE Science exam' as such but rather lots of different exams offered by lots of different exam boards. Therefore make sure you know exactly what exam is it your sitting and what you should know (the syllabus) when it comes to taking the paper. Don't guess - your teacher is the best person to ask!

Get a GOOD revision text book

Science is a huge subject - it is, after all, Physics, Chemistry and Biology squished into one - so a textbook is almost essential. There are plenty of options but it's best to play it safe and stick with one that's precisely for the exact exam you're going to sit, usually the exam board will have an 'official' textbook.

We suggest buying CGP textbooks (Amazon) which we read religiously through our GCSEs!

Revise EVERYWHERE

revise in showervia pinterest.com
Even the shower isn't off limits.

Use flashcards

Draw up some small flash cards to help revise tricky concepts, topics or formula you're struggling with. Flash cards shouldn't be huge blocks of text, rather aim for a line or two: You want something that you can glimpse at every now and then to help stuff sink in.

Revise your maths

Revise your GCSE Maths. Physics, in particular, involves a lot of maths so be sure you're up to scratch on those skills to. You'll be allowed a calculator in the exam so no need to worry about mental arithmetic but - for example - basic rearranging of formula will be expected. Of course you'll probably be sitting a maths exam as well so you can revise the two side by side.

In the exam, watch the units

This is one for your exam rather than revision but it's best to get yourself into the habit as soon as possible: Watch the units!

Make sure when doing calculations that you're using like for like measurements. Remember to always add a unit with your answer rather than just leaving a number and make sure you answer is in the required unit, if a particular one is asked for.

Practice past papers

Testing you can apply what you've learned to an exam is the last step and should be done for any of your GCSE exams. Grab some past papers and get going, marking yourself as you go along. Note down any trouble areas and go back over them with extra revision. Make sure you take the right past papers for the exam you'll be sitting!

About the author: Thomas Brella

Thomas Brella is the founder of Student Hacks, starting the website in 2013 while studying at the University of Brighton to share tips and tricks on life as a cash-strapped student. He's now spent over 10 years scoping out the best ways to live on a budget

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