Revision stands as a cornerstone in the preparation for board exams, offering a pathway to solidify learning, recall acquired knowledge, and identify any gaps in your knowledge. However, revision can also be challenging and monotonous if you do not use effective and engaging techniques.
Here are some of the best revision techniques that can help you ace your board exams, followed by the need to revise and common mistakes student commit while revising:
Spaced Repetition:
Spaced repetition is a technique that involves reviewing the same material at increasing intervals of time, such as after one day, one week, one month, etc. This helps you transfer the information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, preventing forgetting. You can use flashcards, apps, or online platforms to implement spaced repetition.
Active Recall:
Active recall is a technique that involves retrieving information from your memory without looking at the source, such as by answering questions, taking quizzes, or explaining the concepts to someone else. This helps you strengthen your memory and understanding and identify any errors or misconceptions. You can use past papers, mock tests, or study guides to practice active recall.
Elaborative Interrogation:
Elaborative interrogation is a technique that involves asking yourself questions about the material, such as why this fact is true, how this concept works, how this relates to other topics, etc. This helps you deepen your comprehension and make connections between different ideas. You can use mind maps, diagrams, or notes to facilitate elaborative interrogation.
Interleaving:
Interleaving is a technique that involves switching between different topics or subjects within a study session, rather than studying one topic or subject for a long time. This helps you improve your ability to apply your knowledge to different contexts and problems and avoid confusion and interference. You can use a timetable or a planner to schedule your interleaving sessions.
Self-Explanation:
Self-explanation is a technique that involves verbalizing or writing down your thought process and reasoning while solving a problem or learning a concept. This helps you monitor your understanding, clarify your doubts, and discover new insights. You can use a recorder, a journal, or a peer to practice self-explanation.
These techniques serve as invaluable tools to bolster your revision efforts and ensure success in your board exams. Remember, revision transcends mere memorization; it embodies understanding and application. Embrace these strategies to transform your revision into an enriching and fulfilling journey.
Why Should Students Revise?
Revision emerges as a pivotal process for students, fostering memory retention, boosting confidence, alleviating anxiety, and enhancing exam performance. It reinforces knowledge and skills acquired through study, facilitates the recall of forgotten details, and fortifies confidence in the material. By identifying strengths and weaknesses, students can address gaps in their understanding and refine their application of knowledge.
Effective revision encompasses memory techniques like the Memory Palace, rendering information more memorable and engaging. It equips students with the essential skill set to achieve academic goals and excel in examinations. Revision, when approached with diligence and the right mindset, becomes a rewarding and enjoyable endeavor integral to academic success.
What Revision Mistakes do Students Commit?
Relying Solely on Re-reading Notes:
Merely re-reading notes is a popular revision technique, which may lead to superficial learning and limited retention. Nearly 84% of students re-read their notes during revision, and 55% identified it as their top strategy. However, this method often results in skimming, as students fail to process or consider the content, resulting in it not being stored in their long-term memory.
Retrieval practice, also known as the testing effect, is one of the most effective strategies by which students generate responses to questions to improve their recall abilities.
Skipping Breakfast:
More than 60% of teenage boys and 70% of teenage girls skip breakfast, which has a negative influence on their attention and memory. Studies demonstrate that students who skip breakfast or use energy drinks perform worse on tasks, but eating breakfast enhances focus, memory, and overall well-being.
Revising with Music:
It has been found that students who revise in a quiet environment perform over 50% better than those who revise with lyrics, despite the misconception that listening to their favorite songs boosts motivation and mood.
Homework Completion with Phone Nearby:
Multitasking is a fallacy among students who believe they can do their coursework while using their phones. However, this is impossible and might result in mistakes and decreased productivity. Switching between tasks consumes students’ time and energy.
Taking Detailed Notes :
In class, students usually take comprehensive notes; nevertheless, such an approach is ineffective since it results in shallower learning. Instead, they should be choosy and jot down their notes so that they can devote more time to processing and internalizing the information.
Adopting efficient revision strategies is critical for success in board exams. Embrace these strategies, which range from spaced repetition to self-explanation, as transforming instruments that not only reinforce knowledge but also make the revision process enjoyable and fulfilling.
Reference: https://www.franklin.ac.uk/media/hmubndjy/revision-strategies.pdf
