The best last-minute revision strategies

27th March 2025 by Anita Naik

Last-minute revision strategies, from focusing on what to study to knowing where to place your focus, can help more than you know. With GCSEs and A-levels due to start in just 5 weeks, here's what to do if you're looking for revision tips that work.

1. Focus on high-yield revision material:

High-yield material is the topics and subject material that give you the most significant return on revision time. Instead of trying to learn everything, you focus on the 20% of material likely to cover 80% of exam questions.

Past exam papers are the number one predictor of what's likely to be in your exams. Look at as many as you can and highlight repeated questions and topics, how questions are asked, and marking schemes for these questions.

Also, look at your exam specifications and course books for core topics you have focused on in class. Again, this is the material to revise. Don't do deep dives into the area; concentrate on condensed notes, cheat sheets and flashcards for learning and revising.

For example, if you are revising for these GCSE subjects:

1. Humanities like History: focus on major events, causes/consequences, and key figures.

2. Languages: focus on common verbs, vocabulary and grammar rules.

3. English literature: focus on universal themes, key quotes, characters and literary techniques.

2. Use active recall:

Active recall is a research-backed study method in which you actively retrieve information from memory instead of passively reviewing or taking notes. Studies have shown that this technique is the most effective and efficient way of revising any factual or problem-solving exam.

All you have to do is review the material and then work on recalling the information you have learnt with constant testing. This process actively engages your brain to retrieve and remember stored information rather than store and forget it.

To help yourself, use high-yield material (above) and:

1. Test yourself with flashcards.

2. Use self-quizzing apps

3. Explain concepts aloud and record them with your phone. Listen back to see what you have missed.

4. Avoid passively re-reading notes, as there's no actual retention with this.

5. Use blurting: Write down everything you remember about a topic, then check knowledge gaps.

3. Teach someone - The Feynman Technique:

This technique was developed by physicist Richard Feynman, who said the secret to his success was his own study method. This method is perfect for breaking down complex concepts, forcing you to simplify what you know to teach someone else. It works because you don't know it well enough if you can't explain it.

There are six simple steps to his technique:

1. Choose the topic you need to revise, and try to remember as much as possible from your notes.

2. Next, teach it to someone else using simple terms. Try to do it from memory and only refer to your notes when necessary. For example, explain a Physics or Economics concept to a friend.

3. Keep simplifying until you can explain it clearly and concisely.

4. Review and learn any gaps in your knowledge.

5. Teach it again and again to improve retention. As you repeat the process, use your notes less and less.

6. Record yourself summarising key points and listen to your explanations while walking/eating for auditory reinforcement.

4. Create an "A4 Cheat Sheet"

A Cheat Sheet is your brain's best friend when revising a challenging subject. It's a condensed page that you create of key concepts, formulas, and information organised so that it's easy to scan and recall.

Think of it as a bite-sized version of the subject essentials. It reveals your revision priorities and creates a practical cheat sheet that you can use daily to remind yourself what you need to know. Creating one is also a revision method in itself, as it focuses your mind on what you know and what you need to learn.

To create a cheat sheet, be sure to include the following:

1. Key core subject concepts.

2. Essential details for quick reference include diagrams and mindmaps.

3. Short summaries.

5. Watch videos/lectures/summaries

Watching educational videos that explain key concepts and parts of your course can be a really helpful revision tool. They are perfect for visual and auditory learners.

While we all learn in various ways, some prefer a more visual or auditory (or both) revision. Videos can break down complex topics into smaller, more digestible chunks, making them easier to understand and remember.

However, be aware that watching or listening to something is a passive form of revision, so either use this method as a complimentary technique or:

1. Make it active by pausing, summarising the information with notes, and actively engaging with the content.

2. Choose reputable content that aligns with your course specifications. Study-tutor and teacher websites, as well as Khan Academy and BBC Bitesize, can be good here.

3. Best subjects for video revision:

Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) - Animations help, e.g., DNA replication and circuits.

Maths - Watching worked solutions is more straightforward than reading in textbooks.

History/English - Documentaries & analysis videos deepen understanding.

Whichever method you use, remember that last-minute revision isn't about cramming everything; it's about working smarter. Even with limited time, you can make a huge difference. Focus on the above strategies, and you will find you can learn a lot in a short time.