It can be hard to know what to focus on the week before an exam, it’s likely you’ll have already done a lot of preparation but it’s important to remember a few key tactics before the big day. 

The Tassomai team are going to be breaking down our top tips for revision over the next few weeks, including what to do a month, a week and the day before each exam. Find out our best advice for revision one month before an exam here.

Past papers

There is a wealth of knowledge hidden in every exam boards’ website that is there to help you with your revision - make sure you’re making the most of it! There are tons of past papers available online, which can help you prepare for the longer, higher mark questions you’ll encounter in your exams. 

Here are some quick links to exam boards to help you:

• Edexcel – their website has this easy search tool to help you find past papers

• AQA – fill out the drop down boxes to find past papers for each subject

• OCR – use OCR’s past papers material finder here

• WJEC – search for WJEC past papers on their website

• Eduqas – find all the previous Eduqas papers here

We have a few suggestions on how you can best use these resources to your advantage… Past papers can be used (broadly) two ways and we recommend students start with way 1 and work towards way 2.

Way 1 - Instant feedback

Look at each question, think about it, then look at the answer on the mark scheme and think about that too - how different is the answer from what you would have written? Which points had you forgotten? Now, having looked at the model answer, write out an answer of your own. 

Work your way through a past paper this way giving yourself quick feedback on your thoughts from the mark scheme. You’re practising writing model answers with the mark scheme as your coach. This method will really help you to be hyper-aware of what the questions are asking for.

Once you’ve built up your knowledge of past papers with this approach, start a fresh paper and go through one question at a time, but this time write out your answer BEFORE checking the mark scheme. After each question, compare how you have done by referring back to the mark scheme and then rewrite a model answer based on what you’ve learned (assuming you don’t get full marks).

Way 2 - Stamina training

Sit down and complete an entire paper under timed conditions and then mark it yourself with your trusty friend, the mark scheme. This method is useless for revision, as you aren’t reminding yourself of knowledge, but it's good for seeing if you can keep your focus for the full 90 mins. 

The benefit of doing past paper practice is FAR greater with instant, actionable feedback. Only start sitting past papers in full when you have already gone through several papers using the first technique, this way you will really make the most of the resources available to you.

Exam technique

By this point you should have most of the content for the exam covered and it is hard to learn anything new in such a short timeframe, so the best thing you can do is really hone your exam technique. Think about the number of marks available for each question as you go through your past papers and plan how you could maximise marks for each one.

Remember your spelling and grammar! It can be easy to lose marks in an exam by forgetting a tricky spelling or writing in panicked, jumbled sentences.Try not to rush the details and pay attention to not just what you are writing but how you are writing it. The week before an exam is a great time to brush up on any spellings you know you tend to struggle with – make sure you write them out a few times to practice. 

Don’t forget – you can brush up on general spelling and grammar on your Tassomai account by selecting our English language quizzes on your app. 

Rapid recap

Tassomai teachers from across the country have been tackling the trickiest topics in biology, chemistry, physics, maths and English for our Live Lessons to help you with your revision. Sessions include ‘Rapid Recap’ lessons that cover the top 3 topics that teachers think you should be revising in the week leading up to your exam. If you haven’t been attending Tassomai’s Live Lessons over the last couple of months, you can rewatch the latest sessions on our Live Lessons page.

Matt Green, The Rapping Science Teacher on TikTok, spoke to Tassomai about the most common problem areas he encounters as a science tutor. Why not have a look through his list of tricky topics and make sure you’re feeling confident in them all ahead of your science exams – read his article.

Routine 

Late night revision won’t help you now! It’s much better to get into a healthy sleeping pattern so that when the next exam comes you’re well rested and ready to go. Try having set working hours that you stick to each day, while still allowing yourself some downtime to unwind and relax…