How to revise for GCSE How to revise for GCSE MathsMaths

1: Target revision1: Target revision

Students should identify their Students should identify their strengths and weaknesses using the strengths and weaknesses using the traffic lighting system.traffic lighting system.

Higher Module 5 (Yr 11)Higher Module 5 (Yr 11)

Foundation Module 5 (Yr 11)Foundation Module 5 (Yr 11)

Unit 1 – Higher/Foundation Unit 1 – Higher/Foundation (Yr 10)(Yr 10)

Unit 2 – Higher/Foundation Unit 2 – Higher/Foundation (Yr10)(Yr10)

2: Past papers2: Past papers

As part of the traffic lighting process, As part of the traffic lighting process, completing past papers allows completing past papers allows students to see what they can and students to see what they can and can’t do.can’t do.

www.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/www.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/index.phpindex.php

Even though there are not Even though there are not many ‘non coursework’ many ‘non coursework’ papers, the old ones are just as papers, the old ones are just as useful.useful.• If your child is targeting A*, A or B, If your child is targeting A*, A or B,

use the higher papersuse the higher papers

• If your child is targeting C/D If your child is targeting C/D borderline, use the intermediate borderline, use the intermediate paperspapers

• If your child is targeting D/E grades, If your child is targeting D/E grades, use the foundation papersuse the foundation papers

3: Next steps – work out what 3: Next steps – work out what revision strategies will work for revision strategies will work for them.them.

• Buy a good revision guide, preferably Buy a good revision guide, preferably with a work book - www.cgpbooks.co.uk/with a work book - www.cgpbooks.co.uk/

• Have a list of good websites.Have a list of good websites.

• If money is not a problem, you can get If money is not a problem, you can get an online tutoran online tutor

Even though there are plenty Even though there are plenty of resources, you still need to of resources, you still need to spend time actually sitting spend time actually sitting down and doing it the old down and doing it the old fashioned way!fashioned way!Pen and paper – 30 minutes work, 10 Pen and paper – 30 minutes work, 10

minutes breakminutes break

• Make note of the key points, formulae Make note of the key points, formulae etc on post-it notes, make posters, etc on post-it notes, make posters, lots of colour! Must know and lots of colour! Must know and understand mathematical words like: understand mathematical words like: Calculate, Simplify, Factorise etc.Calculate, Simplify, Factorise etc.

• Break and cut the test up so that it Break and cut the test up so that it does not look quite so daunting, does not look quite so daunting, make it look more manageable!make it look more manageable!

Work on the principle of a mark a Work on the principle of a mark a minute!minute!

The revision set up must be in The revision set up must be in manageable chunks so that manageable chunks so that they will actually do it!!!!!!!they will actually do it!!!!!!!

4: Making the most4: Making the most of what you know of what you know

• Students must get into the habit of Students must get into the habit of showing all their working out! showing all their working out!

• Make sure that basic number work is Make sure that basic number work is strong – know the times tables, can strong – know the times tables, can complete short complete short multiplication/division. Eliminate silly multiplication/division. Eliminate silly mistakes!!!mistakes!!!

• Can use their calculator properly!Can use their calculator properly!

5: Remember: Revising is all 5: Remember: Revising is all about building confidence, self about building confidence, self esteem and making students esteem and making students feel ready to sit 2 papers and feel ready to sit 2 papers and achieve!!!achieve!!!• Take an interest in their work, go Take an interest in their work, go

over it with them, mark it, buy some over it with them, mark it, buy some stickers, congratulate them!stickers, congratulate them!

• Continually show them all the work Continually show them all the work and practise that they have done if and practise that they have done if they are worried.they are worried.