Our latest blog is by Education Expert Emma McCrea and is the latest in a series of blogs looking at teens and education. In this blog, Emma looks at revision techniques.
Revising – we were doing it all wrong!
The traditional approaches that we may have used to revise at school – rereading, reviewing, highlighting and cramming – have since been shown to be less effective strategies than we originally thought. Research has shown that there are study strategies that have been proved to significantly enhance learning and optimise revision. Parents can play a crucial role in guiding their children toward more effective study habits and therefore improve their chances of success in exams.
Two proven methods, ‘Practice Testing’ and ‘Distributed Practice’, have been shown to significantly improve learning, retention, and exam performance. This blog unpicks both methods — and how you can support your child in using them effectively.
1. Practice Testing
Practice testing involves actively retrieving information from memory rather than passively reviewing notes or textbooks. This might take the form of answering questions, completing flashcards, or attempting past papers. The act of recall strengthens memory and highlights gaps in knowledge, making future study sessions more focused.
A good example of practice testing is making flashcards. Write questions on one side and answers on the other. For example, for maths, the question might be What is the sum of angles in a triangle? On the other side is the answer 180°. Or used for vocabulary in languages and other subjects. Then these can be used regularly to quiz knowledge.
2. Distributed Practice
Distributed practice involves spreading out study sessions over time, rather than cramming all at once. This spacing effect allows the brain to consolidate information, making it easier to recall later.
A good way to support your child with this is to co-create a study or revision timetable. Say an exam is four weeks away, help your child divide topics into manageable chunks, studying a little of each subject every day. For example, instead of doing all of history in one day, study The Elizabethans on Monday, Germany during the first half of the 20th century on Wednesday, and the Industrial Revolution on Friday.
It is also important to revisit previously learned and revised materials. For instance, after learning a science concept in week one, review it briefly in week two and again in week three.
Why These Strategies Work
Practice testing strengthens neural pathways by forcing the brain to retrieve information, making recall easier in the future. Distributed practice gives the brain time to process and consolidate material, ensuring it’s stored in long-term memory. Together, these strategies create a powerful combination for exam success.
By guiding your child to use practice testing and distributed practice, you’re not just helping them prepare for their next exam — you’re teaching them lifelong learning skills.
To learn more about helping your child through their GCSE years, come along to our event on Thursday 23rd January where Emma will join a panel of experts in an open session with lots of practical advice for parents. Learn more here.
