How to Revise Properly (The Method That Actually Works)

How to Revise Properly (The Method That Actually Works)

Most students revise by “reading the textbook” and hoping it sticks. That’s not revision — that’s wishful thinking.

Here’s the method that actually improves grades.

1. Pick a topic you want to revise

Don’t try to revise everything at once. Choose one topic — digestion, electricity, Macbeth, whatever you need.

2. Work out what you know (and what you don’t)

Before you start revising, you need to know your starting point.

Head over to the Resources section and download the topic checklists.

Tick off what you’re confident with, and highlight the areas you don’t understand yet.

This stops you wasting time revising things you already know.

3. Learn the content properly

Once you know the gaps, fill them.

Use your textbook, CGP guide, or a YouTube explanation to learn the topic clearly.

Take short notes if it helps — but don’t spend hours making them pretty. The goal is understanding, not artwork.

4. Test yourself with exam questions

This is the most important step.

Download the exam questions by topic and try them without looking at your notes.

Then mark them using the mark scheme.

Make a note of every question you struggled with.

These are the exact areas you need to focus your effort on.

This is how you revise with purpose — not guesswork.

5. Once you’ve mastered the topic questions, move on to past papers

Don’t waste past papers early — there are only a limited number.

When you’re ready, attempt a full past paper under timed conditions.

Then:

Mark it with the mark scheme

Write down every question you got wrong

Add those points to your revision notes

Learn the exact wording examiners want

This is crucial:

Examiners don’t want textbook language — they want exam language.  

The mark schemes show you the phrases, keywords, and explanations that score marks.

Learn those, and your grades jump.