Parent Guide to Revision

What revision actually is, which techniques the research shows actually work, and how to support your child without taking over.

What is revision?

Revision is a personal, individual process within academic life. What you have to consider:

Different sets of knowledge and understandings.
Different responses to the stress of the revision and exam period.
Different preferred revision techniques.
Different psychological and life contexts into which to fit the revision.

Source: University of Leicester (2019).

Effective revision techniques

Research shows some revision strategies are far more effective than others.

The most effective strategies

Distributed practice (spreading revision out over time, not cramming)
Practice testing / self testing
Interleaved practice (mixing up topics rather than blocking one at a time)
Asking themselves "why" when recalling facts
Self explanation: explaining how new information relates to known information, or explaining steps during problem solving
Keyword mnemonics: using keywords or mental imagery to associate verbal material

Less effective strategies (use sparingly, alongside the above)

Imagery for text: forming mental images of text while reading or listening
Re-reading notes
Writing summaries
Highlighting notes / revision guides
Rewriting notes
Underlining key phrases or words in notes

Two techniques came out as clear winners in the research: practice testing and distributed practice (Dunlosky et al, 2013). Practice testing is any form of testing a student can do on their own, such as recalling through flash cards, completing practice problems or past papers. Distributed practice means spreading the learning over time rather than cramming: start early, and make sure you revisit and review material you have already revised.

Retrieval practice

Retrieval practice fits testing into revision so that information is recalled, not just re-read. For example:

What was trench foot? A disease caused by being in water.
How did they try and treat it? Changing socks, whale oil.
What could it lead to? Gangrene and amputation.

A simple way to practise this at home: have questions on one half of a piece of paper and answers on the other half. Fold the paper so you cannot see the answers, and test yourself.

Why do students not revise?

"I'll begin tomorrow."
"I don't know what to revise."
"Revision is so long!"

An ideal study space

What you need: any quiet area, with everything prepared beforehand (pens, pencils, paper) so you save time instead of hunting for equipment or workbooks. No mobile phone.

Making a revision timetable

The full six step method for building a personalised revision timetable is on the Getting Organised page.

Revision tools

Exam questions, diagrams and mind maps all help turn passive reading into active revision. Two structures worth trying for a single revision session:

Structure 1: Science / Maths (or any subject marked mostly on short answers)

10 minutes: watch a video or read notes / revision guide
20 minutes: exam style questions
5 minutes: break
5 minutes: mark the work
5 minutes: make notes, bullet points only, on a flashcard or paragraphs
5 minutes: redo incorrect exam questions
5 minutes: mark and make any extra notes
5 minutes: break

Structure 2: English / Humanities (or any subject with long questions)

10 minutes: plan out an essay or long question (flow diagram or Venn diagram)
20 minutes: write out the long question
5 minutes: break
10 minutes: mark the work
5 minutes: add any improvement
5 minutes: summarise key points
5 minutes: break

Venn diagrams, hierarchy / flowchart charts and colourful mind maps are all good ways to lay out the summary notes from either structure.

Monitor and track progress with a simple week by week grid: one row per day, one column per subject, so gaps in the plan are easy to spot at a glance.

Key things to remember

No one can force your child to follow their timetable: they are in charge of it.
Trial it for 2 weeks: if the revision slots need to change, or lessons need to move around, do it.
If your child misses a session, do not add it to the next day: leave it until the next rotation, or complete it during the weekend blocks.
Record progress in the template and track it.
Allow your child to take responsibility, and nudge them a little when they need encouragement.
Work on an 80/20 basis: if your child is completing at least 80% of the revision sessions, give them that leeway in case they miss one.

Revision and well-being

Looking after yourself during exam season matters as much as the revision itself.

Talking things through. Strategies for looking after yourself, and taking time out to recharge the batteries.
Helping other people. Doing good feels good: scientists have shown that helping other people makes us happy.
Exercise and mental health. Scientists have discovered that exercise makes your brain release chemicals that make you feel good, the same chemicals you get from antidepressants.

Dealing with revision stress: 9 ways to beat revision stress

Do the actual work, revise.
When really stressed, talk to someone about it.
Get some fresh air each day.
Stick to regular meal times.
Do something to switch off an hour before bed.
Don't dwell on worst case scenarios.
A good night's sleep is better than last minute cramming.
Once you've done the exam, move on to the next one.
Don't aim for perfection: it's a myth and doesn't exist.

Adapted from "9 Ways to Beat Revision Stress" by @inner_drive, www.innerdrive.co.uk.