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Senior Revision
Introduction
Revision is a minefield – lots of people will tell you what they think worked for them when they took their exams. The trouble is, what worked for other people (and in exams that may have been completely different) won't always help you. Luckily we have some excellent advice to help you with your studies. Luckily in the run into your exams, your teachers will provide you with lots of opportunities to get help with your revision - below are the most up to date list of revision opportunities.
- Planning when to revise
The first step in successful revision is ensuring that you have a sound revision plan in place – a good plan not only follows the princples of spaced practice and interleaving, but it should also take into account the other things in your life. Things that you can't move or change (eg family commitments, chores, eating) and things that you can be flexible on (eg social life, playing computer games, social media, spending time with friends). For more details on how to complete a revision plan that is balanced and achievable click here.
- Choosing the best way to revise
Once you have your revision plan in place there is still the question of what to do next. We recommend using the strategies outlined by the excellent Learning Scientists and in particular Retrieval Practice. These strategies have been developed by a group of cognitive psychological scientists whose research focus is the science of learning. These strategies have been researched and proven to be the most effective ways to retain information – not just for your exams but also beyond!
Please click the link below to read more about how to build Retrieval Practice into your revision.
- Choosing what to revise
There are several different exam boards, each of whom has slightly different specifications for the same GCSE. Therefore, it is really important that you have the right materials to revise from otherwise you could be revising the wrong things.
Luckily, your teachers have produced this booklet to help you and made this folder of resources.– this will provide you with the information you need (or the locations of where to find the information) to help you with your revision.
You can also purchase revision guides from school – just print out this form (or get a spare copy from pupil services) and take it (along with any money) to the general office. All of these revision guides have been recommended by your teachers so you know they are the best ones for your exams.
Other Useful Information
If there is something you require for your exams that you cannot find below then please contact Mrs Patis in the General Office or at patis@mayfield.portsmouth.sch.uk
English Revision
Welcome to the English Revision page.
Here you will find useful links and information to help you revise for your GCSE exams in English Language and Literature, as well as Mayfield exams in Year 9 and PIRA tests for Years 7 and 8.
Our Mayfield examinations for Year 9 use modified versions of the English Language GCSE Paper 1 - please see the information below for revision ideas. Look for Year 9 for ideas and support!
Below are links to English Homework Resources.
Year 11 are currently studying for:
- AQA GCSE English Language
- AQA GCSE English Literature
Look at our GCSE Revision Checklist to support your independent retrieval.
Links to exam websites:
- AQA English Language - past papers and resources can be found here.
- AQA English Literature - past papers and resources can be found here.
Years 7 and 8.
Pupils in Key Stage 3 will sit PIRA reading tests once per term. These standardised tests produce an age-related reading score that enables the department to track progress from year to year and provide a link to Key Stage 2.
The test will generate:
- A diagnostic profile for each pupil with areas of strengths and weaknesses;
- A standardised score that will be communicated home.
An example test can be found online here.
How to revise for a PIRA test:
The best way to prepare for the PIRA tests is to read widely and often. Some strategies that you can try include:
- Reading Accelerated Reader texts at a suitable level for their ability;
- Reading non-fiction tests, for example, BBC News.
- Having discussions about characters, themes and narratives;
- Revising key skills on the BBC Bitesize website.
Years 9 and Years 10 and 11
GCSE English Language - what you will be asked to do:
English Language Paper 1 Key facts: 50% of GCSE
|
Paper 1: Explorations in creative reading and writing |
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|
Q # |
Skill |
Marks |
Timing |
|
|
Read the extract from the novel |
|
15 mins |
|
1 |
Finding four facts from the text |
4 |
5 mins |
|
2 |
Analyse part of an extract looking at words and features |
8 |
10 mins |
|
3 |
Analyse the structure of the extract (NESTS) |
8 |
10 mins |
|
4 |
Make an analysis based on an opinion |
20 |
15 mins |
|
5 |
Writing to describe either based on an image or starting a story with a prompt |
40 (24 content, 16 SPaG) |
45 mins |
|
|
TOTAL |
80 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
Years 10 and 11
English Language Paper 2 Key Facts: 50% of GCSE
|
Paper 2: Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives |
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|
Q # |
Skill |
Marks |
Timing |
|
|
Read the two extracts – one modern text and one from the nineteenth century |
|
15-20 mins |
|
1 |
Finding four facts/opinions from the text |
4 |
5 mins |
|
2 |
Summary of the similarities and differences between the two texts |
8 |
10 mins |
|
3 |
Analyse the language of the extract |
12 |
10 mins |
|
4 |
Comparison of perspectives of the two writers |
16 |
15 mins |
|
5 |
Writing to persuade using a specific form |
40 (24 content, 16 SPaG) |
45 mins |
|
|
TOTAL |
80 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
Years 9 and Years 10 and 11
TIP! Remember - focus on Question 5 - it is worth half the marks of each paper!
Revision checklist - GCSE English Language
Am I secure in the knowledge of:
- TiPToP (Paragraphs)
- SCS1 (Sentences)
- SPAMROD (Figurative language)
- AFOREST (Rhetorical language)
- PEEE(L) (Analytical writing)
- NESTS (Structure)
- Forms (Styles of writing e.g. newspaper article, speech etc.)
If you need a hand, look here.
Top revision tips:
- Read - why not download the BBC News App onto your phone or look at the website. Read a random story. Think about that the 10 most important points are. How does the writer show their perspective? What are the key words or features of language?
- Learn the mnemonics - which ones do you use for each question?
- Revise word classes - what are the different types of words? What do they do?
- Vary sentences - keep your writing interesting by varying your sentence lengths and structures.
- Consider your discourse markers - how will you make your writing fit together?
- Practice planning - use the Power of 3 and base your ideas on the senses. Google an image and think about how you would describe it.
Download our handy GCSE summary guide here.
Remind yourself of the skills you need for each question here.
Useful links:
- BBC Bitesize - useful tips on revision as well as spelling, punctuation and grammar.
GCSE English Literature - what you will be asked to do:
Years 10 and 11
English Literature Paper 1 Key facts: 40% of GCSE
|
Shakespeare and the 19th-Century novel |
|||
|
Q # |
Skill |
Marks |
Time |
|
1 |
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
|
30
+4 for SPaG |
45 mins |
|
2 |
Novel: A Christmas Carol
|
30 |
45 mins |
|
|
Checking answers/planning |
|
15 mins |
|
|
TOTAL |
64 |
1 hour 45 minutes |
Have a look at the key quotations for Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol to help you revise!
For this exam, each question will have a printed extract that pupils can refer to. However, in order to aim for a ‘strong’ pass of Grade 5 and above, they will need to include quotations that they know from across the text.
The exam board want to see a lot of quotations to support opinions and ideas, embedded into answers.
Try the BBC Bitesize website for hints and tips with Shakespeare or the 19th Century Novel.
Or, try watching Mr Bruff on Youtube. He has playlists for:
English Literature Paper 2 Key facts: 60% of GCSE
|
Modern texts and poetry |
|||
|
Q # |
Skill |
Marks |
Time |
|
1 |
Modern play: An Inspector Calls
|
30
+4 for SPaG |
45 mins |
|
2 |
Poetry: Power and Conflict
|
30 |
45 mins |
|
3 |
Unseen Poetry:
|
24 |
20 mins |
|
4 |
Unseen Poetry:
|
8 |
10 mins |
|
|
Checking answers/planning |
|
15 mins |
|
|
TOTAL |
96 |
2 hour 15 minutes |
Try the BBC Bitesize website for hints and tips with modern drama or the poetry.
Look at the Genius.com annotated poems for Power and Conflict.
Or, try watching Mr Bruff on Youtube. He has playlists for:
Top revision tips:
- Use the PiXL Lit App either online or download to your phone, see your teacher for help logging in;
- Remind yourself of the subject terminology using this glossary;
- Re-reading the texts – copies are available online from £2 to £7;
- Use revision guides;
- Watch adapted versions as films;
- Re-read the poems and find similarities;
- Understand the names and personalities of characters – supported with quotations;
- Know the narrative and key themes – supported with quotations;
- Choose an unseen poem and analyse it using TWIST(ED);
- Learn quotations - consider look, cover, write and check.
REMEMBER! There are lots of revision resources, hints and tips on the school Moodle!
English Revision
Maths Revision
Welcome to the Maths Revision Page
Maths Revision
Year 11:
Year 11 Maths Revision
Click here to visit the Pixl Maths App
Year 10:
Click here to visit the Pixl Maths App
Year 9:
Year 8:
Click here to visit the Pixl Times Table App
Year 7:
Click here to visit the Pixl Times Table App
Please, do not hesitate to ask your teacher for more support.
Science Revision
Welcome to the Science Revision page.
Paper 1
- Biology units 1 – 4
- Chemistry units 1 -5
- Physics units 1 - 4
Paper 2
- Biology units 5 – 7
- Chemistry units 6 – 8
- Physics units 5 and 6
Year 10 Mayfield assessments
- Biology - Units 3,4 and 7
- Chemistry – Units 7, 8, 9 and 10
- Physics – Units 3, 4, 7
Year 9 Mayfield assessments
- Unit B1 and B2 – Cell biology and Organisation
- Unit C1 and C2 – Atomic structure and the periodic table, and bonding.
- Unit P1 and P2 – Energy and Electricity
Year 8 Mayfield Content
- Periodic table
- Ecosystems
- Electricity and magnetism
- Health and lifestyle
- Motion and pressure
- Metals and Acids
- Adaptations and inheritance.
- How Science Works – Scientific Investigations, graphing and analysis
Year 7 Mayfield Content
- Cells
- Particles and their behaviour
- Forces
- Space
- Elements
- Acids and Alkalis
- Light and Sound
- Reproduction
- How Science Works – Scientific Investigations, graphing and analysis
Useful links
Exam board specification – This cover everything that potentially will come up in your exams. http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse
My-GCSEscience – Loads of revision videos, exam questions, answers, blogs and mindmap sheets. https://www.my-gcsescience.com/
BBC bitesize – The classic revision website from the BBC now updated for the new specification. https://www.bbc.com/education/subjects/zrkw2hv
Snap revise – Tonnes of revision videos and resources to download (does require a FREE signup) https://snaprevise.co.uk/
Educake – use your personal login and password to access hundreds of exam-style questions https://www.educake.co.uk/
After school revision
Science surgery is on every Friday in room 36 and we are here to answer questions, provide resources, and practise your skills in the run-up to the exam!