Evidence-based methods are crucial for effective revision, and cognitive science offers valuable insights into how the brain learns and retains information. By understanding and applying these principles, students can enhance their revision strategies and improve their performance in GCSE exams. Here are some top tips for using cognitive principles when revising for your GCSEs:
1. Link New Material to Prior Learning
Revision involves constantly reorganising and connecting new information to what you already know. To retain information, it must be linked to your long-term memory. This is achieved by rehearsing the material or connecting it to prior knowledge. Plan your revision sessions to build these connections. The more you link new information to what you already know, the more details you can retain.
2. Keep the Focus on ‘To Be Learnt’ Content
When planning your revision, ask yourself, “What is the goal of this session?” and “How will I achieve it?” Identify the appropriate difficulty level for your revision tasks. If tasks are too difficult, you might feel overwhelmed, while tasks that are too easy won’t challenge you enough. Set clear, short-term goals and provide yourself with specific feedback to stay focused and on track.
3. Manage Your Cognitive Load
Avoid overloading yourself with too much information at once, as this can hinder your ability to retain and recall information. Break information into manageable chunks and focus on one piece at a time. Strip away redundant details and avoid cramming too much information into your notes. Using dual coding—combining words with pictures—can help engage different parts of your brain and make processing information easier.
4. Maintain Focus and Engagement
For effective revision, you need to be fully focused and engaged with the material. Multi-tasking is a myth; instead, develop your cognitive control by minimising distractions. When revising, turn off devices that might distract you and work in a quiet environment. Engage with the material through active learning techniques such as quiz competitions, flashcards, or ‘Think Pair Share’ activities. Setting and achieving your own goals, no matter how small, can keep you motivated. Don’t forget to reward yourself for reaching your targets.
5. Use Time Gaps in Revision to Deepen Learning
Spacing out your revision sessions helps deepen your learning. By leaving gaps between reviewing the same material, you force your brain to retrieve and elaborate on information, which strengthens your understanding and memory. The Leitner Flashcard system is an effective technique for this purpose, as it spaces out review sessions based on how well you know each topic.
Conclusion
Using cognitive principles in your revision strategy can make a significant difference in your GCSE performance. By linking new material to prior knowledge, focusing on clear goals, managing cognitive load, maintaining engagement, and spacing out your revision, you can enhance your ability to learn and retain information. Incorporating these tips into your revision routine can help you achieve better results and reduce the stress of exam preparation.