How to Revise for Science GCSE

To successfully revise GCSE Science, a well-rounded approach is crucial. There is no one size fits all method but mastering core concepts, consistently practising past paper questions and maintaining effective study habits are essential. As a science teacher, tutor and examiner with 10 years of experience, I’ll go through some revision techniques that will help you achieve top marks in your science GCSE. 

How to Revise for Science GCSE

1. Create a Comprehensive Revision Timetable

Science GCSE has a HUGE amount of content you need to learn, which can be really intimidating when you begin your revision. A revision timetable will ensure you divide your time effectively between all three science subjects. Before you do this, I recommend understanding your exam board specification. 

The exam specification will tell you:

• The topics you need to study within chemistry, biology and physics 

• Which paper these topics will appear on 

• The required practicals for each subject

Create a list of topics for each science from the specification. Next, determine how much time to spend on each one. Every year I see students fall into the same trap of studying the topics they feel most confident with. Whilst this is tempting, it’s important to prioritise the more challenging topics so that you have adequate time to fully understand them. 

Be sure to include regular breaks into your revision timetable to avoid burnout. Using the Pomodoro technique can help with this, which involves working in 25 minute intervals followed  by a short break. The short breaks allow you to stay focused and productive by breaking work down into manageable chunks.

You can use the Pomodoro technique like this:

1. Select a topic 

2. Set a timer for 25 mins 

3. Revise the topic until the time is up 

4. Take a 5-minute break 

5. Repeat but every 4 pomodoros take a 15- 30 minute break 

2. Use Past Exam Papers and Mark Schemes

It's not enough to simply recall scientific content; you must also be able to apply that knowledge to exam questions. While different exam boards cover the same topics, the format, command words, and mark allocation can vary. 

Studying the mark schemes for your specific exam board is invaluable, as it provides insights into how examiners allocate marks and what they look for in answers. Mark schemes also highlight common mistakes and misconceptions, helping you to avoid them. 

For example, the question below from AQA chemistry asks you to give the meaning of the term ‘isotopes’. 

A common mistake students make is to refer to electrons in their answer. As you can see from the mark scheme it states to ‘ignore the same number of electrons’. Knowing this will prevent you from including this information unnecessarily and give you the exact definition the examiners are looking for. 

Chemistry exam question

Save My Exams has plenty of past papers online for most GCSE exam boards.

Examiner reports are another invaluable source of information. They provide deeper insights into whether a question was answered well overall, and common mistakes students made. 

An AQA GCSE Chemistry question and examiner report are shown here: 

It is useful to know that many students did not score the first mark, as they did not refer to the correct type of particle found in an alloy - either an atom or an ion. Understanding these common mistakes will help you avoid them and earn marks where others may fall short.

3. Use Visual Learning Aids

Visual learning aids, such as diagrams, mind maps and flowcharts, can break down complex processes, making them easier to understand. A good example of this is the regulation of blood glucose levels in the body, illustrated below. 

Biology flow diagram

Each exam board also has their own list of keywords and definitions you need to remember. Flashcards are a great way of memorising these, as these promote active recall and spaced repetition.

Save My Exams has flashcards for the majority of GCSE courses, which can be found here.

4. Engage in Active Learning Techniques

While making notes is a common and effective revision method for condensing information, active learning techniques allow you to check you actually understand this information. This is crucial if you want to achieve a grade 9 in GCSE science.

I encourage students to try explaining difficult scientific concepts to someone else. This approach helps ensure you genuinely understand the material instead of merely repeating what you've written. 

A useful strategy is to continually ask yourself, "Why?" For example, if you can recall that carbon dioxide has a low boiling point, delve deeper by explaining that it's because it has a simple molecular structure, which in turn is due to it being composed of molecules containing a few non-metal atoms, and so on.

The majority of science GCSE exams have at least one extended response question, These are between four and six marks, and require detailed explanations. Once you have explained the concept to someone else, find a relevant extended response question and check your answer against the mark scheme.

5. Incorporate Online Resources

There are an abundance of online revision platforms available that provide interactive quizzes, video tutorials and flashcards to make studying more engaging and effective. Other websites provide more comprehensive revision materials and practical questions to ensure a thorough review of key concepts. Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram provide short, concise videos that can make revision feel less overwhelming.

6. Attend Science Revision Sessions and Workshops

Most schools offer revision sessions and workshops, particularly as exams approach. I highly recommend taking advantage of these, as many teachers often have experience as examiners and can offer valuable insights into exam techniques and frequently tested topics. During my own revision sessions, I always concentrated on material that regularly appeared in exams. If your school doesn’t offer these sessions, there are local providers that do, often with online options available. 

7. Focus on Understanding Key Concepts and Their Applications

In GCSE Science, topics are often interconnected within each subject and between them. For instance, your GCSE course likely began by studying atomic structure which is essential for understanding bonding, and subsequently the properties of different substances. A solid grasp of these fundamental concepts is crucial, as it lays the foundation for tackling more advanced topics later on. Chemistry intersects with physics in areas like atomic structure and energy, while biology and chemistry syllabi commonly share topics such as photosynthesis and DNA. This interlinking of subjects emphasises the importance of understanding the basics to succeed in more complex areas. 

8. Maintain a Healthy Study-Life Balance

This is crucial for success in your GCSEs. Ensure you get adequate sleep, eat nutritious meals and engage in physical activity to keep your mind and body healthy. Proper rest and a balanced diet will enhance your energy levels and cognitive function, whilst regular exercise reduces stress and improves concentration. I have taught so many students who sacrificed sleep, exercise and hobbies in order to revise, and whilst their work ethic is admirable, it was counterproductive in the long run and led to burnout. 

How Save My Exams Can Help

Save My Exams is passionately committed to helping you achieve exam success.  Every month we support over 1.5 million students with our extensive range of high-quality and affordable revision resources, including revision notes, topic questions, videos and flashcards, all created by a team of world-class teachers. 

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