How to revise effectively for your Physics GCSE exam: tips for success

Physics is one of the more complex GCSE subjects to revise effectively. Not only do you need to explain the key concepts clearly, but you also need to know the meaning of and how to use all the equations, as well as describe how to carry out the required practical experiments. The trick is to focus on the hardest topics, allocate the right time to create revision notes, and complete many past paper questions.

This article outlines how to revise for your Physics GCSE exam and how to ensure you understand and progress through each topic.

Why is Physics a crucial subject in GCSE?

Physics explains how everything in the universe works; from the smallest components of particles such as electrons to the largest distances and objects in space. Concepts are simplified into models, so equations can be used to perform calculations that help explain them and improve our understanding. Hence, to excel in physics, you must practice your maths skills to effectively perform the necessary calculations and your language skills to explain what the maths shows. This makes it possible to develop new technology and enable existing processes to become efficient and cheaper.

Effective Physics revision techniques

Creating a personalised study schedule is your first step in GCSE Physics revision success. To do this, identify the topics you struggle with the most and work on these first. If you are running out of time before your exam or there are many topics you can’t get your head around, focus on getting to grips with a few of them well, rather than trying to understand a little information from all of them. In this scenario, an in-depth look at one or two topics is much better than just quickly looking at all the topics.

It is easy for your brain to get tired when studying a lot of physics, so it is best to allocate many shorter sessions instead of a few longer sessions. Physics is also a subject that benefits from reviewing topics as often as possible. The phrase “little and often” can be applied here. For instance, if you study one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon every day for a week, you can be more productive than spending one day from 7 am to 10 pm revising only physics. In addition, if you struggle with the motor effect, for example, and you review it every day for a week you will understand it much better than just revising it on one occasion. This is because information is stored in long-term memory during sleep and rest.

In your first revision session, use flashcards or mind maps to assess your knowledge. Work through the flashcards on websites like Save My Exams and identify what you don’t know. This should form the focus of your revision. Creating a mind map of each topic also enables you to identify the areas you don’t know because you won’t be able to add them to your map without help.

In your second session, you should write additional revision notes containing the information you don’t know. Again you can use websites such as Save My Exams, your exercise books or textbooks to find the correct material. It is key not to spend too much time here, completing a range of practice questions starting with easy ones and then moving on to medium-level ones will further develop your understanding and improve your confidence in your physics knowledge. Use the mark schemes provided to ensure you thoroughly understand how to gain full marks when answering the questions.

The final stage of revision is to complete lots of exam questions. Practice questions are essential to cement knowledge, but are often very different to exam questions. Save My Exams practice questions are written in an exam board-specific style, similar to the questions you will be asked in your exam. So using these questions as a basis for your revision is the most efficient way to succeed. Textbook or classwork questions are not necessarily written in this same style. Success in these questions only sometimes indicates success in answering exam paper questions.

Exam papers test your logical thinking and analytical skills, so ask things in a very different way, requiring you to figure out what they want and specify particular pieces of information to gain the marks. It is important to allocate time to complete timed past exam papers and mock exams. This will allow you to mimic the timings and atmosphere of your exam room, meaning you will feel more prepared for possible pressures during your actual exam. Knowing how long you can spend answering each question is vital preparation. It is also important to develop tactics that include starting with questions on topics you are confident you can answer, and how to move on if you are taking too much time on one response.

Enhancing your understanding of key Physics concepts

When tackling a difficult concept, first understand the relevant equations. Identify how each variable in the equation relates to each other.

For example, Newton’s second law is:

F = ma

Where:

-          F = resultant force, measured in Newton’s (N)

-          m = mass of object, measured in kilograms (kg)

-          a = acceleration, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²)

Newton’s second law in action

An object’s mass does not change as it moves. When the resultant force acting upon the object increases, the acceleration also increases. So, resultant force and acceleration are directly proportional to each other.

Having good maths skills is important for success in your physics exams. Use the Save My Exams GCSE Maths revision notes and practice questions to improve these skills. Focus on being able to substitute values into an equation and then rearrange it to find the missing quantity. To succeed in GCSE Physics, you must be confident in understanding how to do this in the specific context of a given question.

Considering the real-life applications of a system can also help you understand the physics concepts behind why and how they work.

Ponder the simple system of a moment for example,

-          When a force is applied to an object at a distance away from a pivot, it creates a turning effect about that pivot

-          The size of the turning effect can be calculated using the equation:

Moment = force x distance

-          So increasing the distance away from a pivot at which a force is applied increases the moment

To understand this further, consider opening a door. Why is the door handle on the side furthest from the hinge? What happens if you try to push open a door next to the hinge?

-          The door handle is at the furthest point horizontally from the hinges because less force is required to open the door this way.

-          When distance is increased, less force is required for a given moment. The door will only open when the moment applied exceeds a certain value

Opening a door by the handle requires less force than opening by the hinges

Using technology for Physics revision

Using technology can help you organise and monitor your progress effectively. Revision notes and flashcards created specifically for your course save you from wasting time finding or simplifying your class notes or textbook. An online system that is easy to edit, helps monitor your progress through each subject so you stay focused and on track. Moving seamlessly between flashcards, revision notes and practice questions allows your revision time to flow more efficiently.

This can all be done very easily using the Save My Exams website where you can quickly access the flashcards and revision notes that link to the practice topic questions and vice versa. Our revision notes are as concise as possible and feature incredible diagrams created by our illustration department. Our expert teachers have written practice questions at easy, medium and hard levels. The mark schemes and commentaries explain clearly the thought process for solving each question and the steps required to gain the marks.

Our content creators have recorded videos, focussing on key concepts and worked examples. They are all five minutes long and are designed to be paused so you can make notes and try the questions. Watch the videos on your phone, tablet or laptop at home or on the go. You will not need to go anywhere else to complete your GCSE Physics revision effectively.

Additional tips for success in GCSE Physics

To further improve your chances of success in your GCSE Physics exams enjoying the revision process and remaining interested in it is the biggest driver. Stick to your revision schedule and don’t get distracted by concepts you don’t understand. If you have used the Save My Exams resources, and are still struggling, ask your teachers, tutors, friends or family for help. You can also post in online communities for additional personalised explanations and support. It can be time-effective to write down a list of questions on one topic for your friend or teacher and ask them all in one go. That way, it’s easier for you to gain a complete understanding by discussing everything together.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet, taking time to rest and sleeping around eight hours a night will go a long way to ensure you have a clear head for optimum revision and exam performance. More information on general advice for GCSE exam revision can be found here. Look after yourself by regularly showering, going outside and getting your 5 a day of fruit and vegetables and your brain will look after you. Look after yourself and your brain will look after you when you get into your GCSE exams.

How to revise for your GCSE Physics exam: Conclusion

In summary, conducting your physics revision little and often ensures you maintain your interest and motivation. Using your revision notes to explain the equations required to perform calculations will give you the foundation to understand the concepts covered in your exam. Starting with revision notes and flashcards on the Save My Exams website before completing the practice questions with worked solutions is the most effective way to build up your knowledge and confidence for your exam. Best of luck with your revision, click here to get started and sign up for a Save My Exams membership today.

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