Year 11 Revision Guide
A collection of tips and hints to help you
fully prepare for your January mock
examinations
Allestree Woodlands School 2016
Welcome to your handy revision guide that we have created to help you fully prepare
for your mock examinations after Christmas.
How Do I Revise?
This is a common question that we are asked as teachers and the aim of this booklet is
to help answer that question. Inside you will find a collection of tips, hints and
strategies designed to help you fully prepare for these important assessments.
Getting Started
Step one is being prepared, you need to decide on a sensible place and time to carry out
your revision – sat in front of the TV with earphones in is never going to help you fully
concentrate on the important work at hand.
Try to set aside a specific place that will be your revision area - the kitchen table, the
dining room table, a desk in your room… All of these are suitable places that will
encourage you to think of your revision as work. Try to ensure that the place is quiet,
free from temptations and distractions and with a sturdy surface to work at.
When you have finished your revision session you can then walk away from this space
and go somewhere else.
Making a Plan
How long should I revise for at a time? How many hours a day? When, and how often,
should I take a break?
These are all valid questions and the answer is something you must decide for yourself.
A good model might be to look at the holidays in the same way you do a school day. If
you were able to revise 5 subjects a day you would quickly cover all subjects!
As a guideline, we would recommend revising for no longer than an hour at a time – your
brain needs time to process what is going on, and like the rest of your muscles it needs
a break and to be fully fuelled at all times.
Create a timetable for yourself where you look to work for an hour, followed by a rest
where you get a drink and some food, then back to the next session. If you revise for 2
hours in a morning, 2 in the afternoon and 1 hour after your dinner you will have
covered 5 hours – you might even feel you could fit more than 5 hours into a day!
And finally....
Get plenty of rest! There is no point in cramming information into the early hours, you
brain will only process information successfully when it is fully rested and alert.
Remember that the holiday is exactly that, a holiday. You need to get the correct
balance of work and relaxation so you are ready to come back to school and achieve
your potential in January.
Art and Design Things to Remember for Your Exam
You need to make sure that you have all the Assessment Objectives in your preparation. See below for the official
explanation. This has been annotated to make it clearer. Please take note of the QWC at the bottom of the page.
You should annotate your ideas using correct English. Always use technical language where necessary.
This means that we should be able to
see you reacting the work of other
artists while you are working on your
ideas. The highest marks will have
shown a clear understanding of the time
and context artists were working within.
This can be done through drawings and
visual work but this must be backed up
with thorough annotations
This doesn’t just mean that you have
used a lot of different materials and
techniques. You need to be seen to
making choices which have a clear
connection to what you want to
achieve at the end or the aetists you
are looking at
You MUST work at least in part from
observation. How can you recreate scenarios
you see in other artists’ work? Where can you
go to get your own high quality photoraphs?
How are you going to incorporate these into
your ideas? Annotations can also be used to
make observations. This can mean that you
are explaining something you have realised.
You need to explain and plan what you want
to do. Then you need to do it. ALL your work
needs to be presented in a personal way
showing care.
In essence, you should prepare for your exam in exactly the way we have been working through in our coursework.
Please find key words at the following address. http://www.flashcardmachine.com/50-art-wordsanddefinitions.html
Computing Revision Guide
1. Always make sure you read the question properly e.g. if you’re asked to convert your
answer to binary, don’t give it in denary.
2. Look at the number of marks a question is worth. The number of marks gives you a good
clue of how much to write.
3. Write your answers clearly. If an examiner can’t read your answer you won’t get any marks,
even if it’s right.
4. Use the correct terminology. It’s no good using computing words if you don’t know what
they mean.
5. Pay attention to the time.
Extended response questions
To gain top marks you’ll need to show a deep understanding of the topic and give accurate and
detailed evidence to back up your point.
Write and algorithm or write a sub program.
There is not strict format for these questions; you can use pseudocode, a flow diagram or a
programming language. But whichever one you use it must be clear to the examiner.
You need to understand the command words
State/Identify – You need to give a short answer or select and item from a list
Define – You need to give a precise meaning of something
Outline – You should give a brief summary of something
Describe/Explain – You need to give a detailed account of a process or concept.
Discuss/Evaluate – You have to give a balanced argument covering a range of opinions and
arguments, backing up each of your points.
Useful websites
Teach ict
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/GCSE_A451_topics.html
BBC bitesize
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty
Mr Fraser
http://www.mrfraser.org/
Revision is vitally important to your exam success but sometimes it is difficult to know where
to start. Some of the most important things you can do before you start are, find a quiet and
peaceful space to revise, be organised – you could make a revision timetable and
personalise your revision to suit you.
This leads on to finding your learning style and what works best for you, try the following
techniques and use the ones that help you, remember revision is individual and everybody
will use different strategies to help them remember vital exam information.























Create mind maps on key topics – add colour and images if you wish and make them
into pictograms
Create revision cards, you could even use different colours for different topics
Create a set of question and answer cards and test your peers
Revise key words
Write key words and definitions on post-it notes and put them around the house
Visit bitesize and complete quizzes and technology student for some good
information
IDENTIFY 5 KEY BUSINESS TERMS AND DEFINE THEM ON FLASHCARDS.
CREATE 10 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUSINESS REVISION TOPIC.
SUMMARISE IN 50 WORDS.
IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN A REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF THE BUSINESS TOPIC.
http://www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/qualification-resources
https://hwb.wales.gov.uk/ - Health and Social Care
www.wjec.co.uk/qualifications/health-and-social-care
https://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/design-technology/aqa-product-design
https://getrevising.co.uk/resources/gcse_aqa_textiles_revision_notes
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-graphicproducts
USE OCR WEBSITE TO PRACTICE PAST PAPERS A292 & A293.
Always remember to prep for section A – this is the design question and is where you
can access marks easily from your coursework knowledge - ask your teacher for
some sample section A parts of exam papers
Ensure you revise key words so you understand the questions
Make sure you are familiar with the wordings used in the exam for example analyse,
evaluate, demonstrate. Go through a past paper and circle these and ensure you
understand what you are being asked to do.
Read each question carefully and thoroughly and make sure you understand what it
is asking, this includes looking at how many marks are being awarded to each
question
Answer the questions you feel most confident with first
Make sure you answer ALL the questions




Make sure you leave enough time to complete the paper – the paper often gives you
a suggested time to spend on some questions – try to stick to this.
Check through your answers at the end
Never leave an answer blank, always try to have a go
Think positive and do your best!
WRITING IN DRAMA
VOICE
Pitch
High, Low, Squeaky,
Husky, Deep,
Whiny, Croaky,
Brittle, Grating,
Gravelly.
Pace
Volume
Tone
Soft, Quiet,
Fast, Slow,
Harsh, Gentle, Sarcastic, Forceful, Firm, Trusting, Derogatory, Cold,
Halting, Abrupt, Loud, Whisper, Angry, Persuasive, Authoritative, Proud, Assertive, Submissive, Sly,
Abrasive, Quivery, Warm, Cheeky, Anxious, Seductive, Enthusiastic,
Stuttering,
Shout.
Timid, Assured, Cautious, Fierce, Fond, Nervous, Joking, Sensitive.
Stilted, Hesitant,
Controlled.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
KEYWORDS
Actor,
Appropriate,
Atmosphere, Audience,
Believable, Character,
Happy, Cheerful,
Wide,
Raised,
Opened,
Upset, Hurt, Eager, Glaring,
Lowered, Jaw-dropped, Creativity, Dialogue,
Effect, Emphasize,, Genre,
Anxious, Untrusting, Squinting, Furrowed, Closed,
Impact,
Improvisation,
Inquisitive, Smile,
Fearful, Rejected,
Teary,
Interaction, Interpretation,
Frown.
Smug, Defiant,
Hopeful,
Monologue,
Quivering,
Non-Naturalistic, Original,
Distressed,
Suspicious,
Lip-biting,
Performance, Piece,
Thoughtful, Sly,
Tightly
Pursed Lips
Physical, Rehearsal, Scene,
Seductive,
Clenched.
Shut.
Status, Tension, Tone.
Distraught, Spiteful,
Aggressive, Friendly .
Emotion
Accent
Eyes
Eyebrows
Liverpudlian, Northern,
West country, Cockney,
Upper Class British,
Scottish, Irish, Australian,
American.
BODY LANGUAGE
Mouth
Posture
Gesture
Gait
Mannerisms
Upright,
Slouched,
Relaxed,
Grotesque.
Clenched Fists,
Pointing,
Open handed,
Closed,
Strong,
Measured,
Hesitant,
Energetic.
Rapid,
Sluggish,
Gentle,
Smooth,
Direct,
Rushed,
Purposeful,
Hasty.
Twitchy, Decisive,
Indecisive,
Formal, Jerky,
Secretive, Wild,
Controlled,
Dismissive,
Aggressive,
Nervous,
Informal.
IMPACT
Atmosphere
Audience Response
Tense, Dangerous, Intriguing, Awe, Amazement,
Applause, Laughter, Sympathy, Anger, Disappointment,
Anticipation,
Surprising,
Shocking, Anti-climax, Amusement, Admiration, Distaste, Contempt,
Delight, Horror, Empathy, Irritation.
Awareness of Society, Comic, Pathos.
Believability
Natural, Believable, Realistic,
Exaggerated,
DRAMA-KEY POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Point
Evidence
I was particularly
proud of the way I….
One strength of my
acting skills was….
In rehearsals I felt
very pleased with….
This impact of this was…..
This was evident
when….
This had the effect on the audience of…
It was clear when ….
aspect of my acting
skills was…
when… This was
One of the highlights
demonstrated when….
performance was….
my
I presented this by….
Improvisation
Role- on the
- wall
Emotion
Memoryin Role
Writing
Tension Graph
Thought tunnel
In addition…
Furthermore..
Consequently
This really showed…
This made my character more believable because…
As a result from this…
However
This showed the audience that…
This added to the appropriate mood / atmosphere
because…
This was effective because…
The effect of this on the final performance was…
This really worked because…
In rehearsals I
used…..
REHEARSAL
STRATEGIES
Hot seating
Therefore...
I showed this by….
This was clearly shown
of
Development
I did this by…..
I developed this by…..
The most effective
Explanation
I feel this was effective because…
(US )
STAGE
Upstage
POSITIONING
Upstage Left
US
( )
C
STAGING FORMATS
TECHNIQUES
Endon
L
Centre Stage
Left
Tableau / Freeze Frame
Audience on 1 side
( CS )
L Left
Downstage
Thought-Tracking
CCentre
( US)
R Stage Centre
C Stage
Centre
Right
(CS)
(CSR)
Downstage
Downstage
(
)
(DS
)
DS
Right
Centre
UptaUge
Right
R
NON NATURALISTIC
AUDIENCE VIEWPOINT
(DS )
L
Chanting
Split-Staging
Soundscape Narration
Traverse
Audience on 2 opposite sides
Thrust
Audience on 3 sides
In the Round
Audience on all sides
English Revision Tips:
For your English Language exams & your Shakespeare, 19th Century novel,
modern text and poetry exams!
Useful links:
www.aqa.org
www.bbc.co.uk/education
www.youtube.com
Plan and attempt sample
exam questions – print
off mark schemes
Revise your Literature
texts – prose, poetry &
drama
Watch videos of modelled
exam responses
Condense your notes:
Spider diagrams
Keywords
Images
Arm yourself with the
study guides
recommended on parents’
evening – attempt each
task – self and peer
assess your efforts
Read a range of
quality fiction and
non-fiction – opinion
pieces in
newspapers
Ask yourself:
What is the writer trying to
achieve?
Which words, phrases and
techniques are most effective.
Why?
Plan, write, proof
read, edit!
Compare two writer’s views on
the same topic
Get Ready for Success – GCSE Geography. WJEC Specification B.
Be prepared! There are no great
secrets to success in the
examination room. Providing
you have revised effectively and
are well organised, you should
do as well in the exams as your
geography ability will allow.
Revision – start early!




On exam day
Ask if there is anything you don’t
understand
Attend additional classes to help
give you more confidence
Find a space where you are
happy to revise
make your revision effective –
don’t just read




Arrive relaxed and on time
Know where the examination
room is, and where you are
sitting
Take two pens, two pencils
and a ruler
Read all instructions carefully

Your first examination (and your ONLY mock
examination paper) is UNIT 1 and lasts for 1
hour.
 Challenges of living in a built
environment
 Physical processes and relationships
between people and environments
 Each section will conclude with a case
study answer
Tips
Keep an eye on the time. Unit 1 is worth 60 marks
and lasts for one hour – remember to only spend
one minute for each mark an answer is worth
Consider answering the case study question first.
This way your choice of case study question will
not be influenced by the topic of the main part of
the question. You should spend 8 minutes on this
for the higher and 5 minutes for the foundation
tier paper.
Your second examination is UNIT 2 (you won’t do
this examination in your January mock
examination) It lasts for two hours and has two
parts
 Uneven development and sustainable
environments (30 minutes) this section
concludes with a case study question
 Problem solving (1 hour 30 minutes)
You will be marked on the quality of your spelling,
punctuation and grammar in your three case study
questions.
Remember, a sophisticated answer will include specific
Geographical terminology you have learnt- every
opportunity should be taken to write in the language of
Geography.
Beware the anywhere case study! Make sure there is
specific case study detail in your answer - no generic ideas
allowed!
YOUR FOLDER IS YOUR BEST REVISION
MATERIAL – LOOK AT FEEDBACK YOU
HAVE RECEIVED AND ACT ON IT.
PAST PAPERS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE
WJEC B WEBSITE.
Mathematics Revision Cycle
Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
 Using completed exam papers... why didn’t you get 100%?
 Write a list of strengths and weaknesses on the front of each paper.
 Using your exercise book... which topics or parts of topics did you find
difficult?
 Use your target grade descriptor booklets as a checklist.
ALL OF THESE WILL HELP STRUCTURE YOUR REVISION
Revise, practise and consolidate these topics.
 Use your revision guide to remind yourself of the knowledge and skills required for
each topic- make sure you work through the questions at the back.
 Condense your notes and key facts for topics onto index cards.
 Use mind maps.
 Use the kerboodle online resources that you each have access to.
 We also recommend mymaths.co.uk (your username is woodls and the password
is 60years).
 Do the questions in your grade descriptor booklets.
 Do the questions, organised by topic on the school website.
 The best way to revise maths is to do questions- from your revision guide, exercise
book, online text book or ask your teacher for extra questions...MORE TRIED =
MORE LEARNT (Murden , 2016)
 Choose your topics wisely... “weight training with weights that are too light doesn’t
make you stronger; but if the weight is too heavy to lift you don’t get stronger
either”. (Moore, 2016)
 Do past papers; make sure you try all questions- don’t leave anything blank. Time
how long it takes you to complete a paper- one mark per minute is a rough guide.
MATHS SURGERY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY 3.30 TO 4.30 IN ROOM 2236.
The MFL guide to good revision
GCSE MUSIC REVISION GUIDE
Learn to listen closely and critically; here are some suggestions:






Try to identify instruments, keys (atonal, major, minor or modal), time signature and/or
form.
Ask yourself if the combination of instruments you hear is one you can identify (string
quartet, brass band, orchestra, rock group, jazz band etc.).
What is the texture of the piece you hear?
Is there a particular rhythmic feature? – an ostinato? a riff? syncopation?
Does the melody move mainly by step? by leap? through a chord? a mixture of these?
How would you describe the accompaniment to the main melody? For example, is there
an Alberti-bass pattern?
Think in terms of the Elements of Music and use them as a basis for appraising what you hear,
though not always trying to cover every element. Try to base your listening around an easily
remembered mnemonic such as DR SMITH.
D
R
S
M
I
T
H
Dynamics
Rhythm (and Metre)
Structure (and Form)
Melody
Instruments (and Timbre)
Texture
Harmony (and Tonality)
Whenever you listen to a piece of music, focus on one or more of its musical features and listen
as closely and accurately as you can. Discuss you findings with others, whether in a small group
or as part of the class.
17 | P a g e
GCSE MUSIC REVISION GUIDE
Other ways to prepare for the examination
Using the ‘inner ear’
Everyone can ‘sing’ a tune inside his or her head: this is called the ‘inner ear’. You need to train
your inner ear so you can ‘hear’ what a pattern of notes sounds like and so you can also ‘hear’
the notes you write down in a dictation question.
You can do this in different ways:



Look at a short tune and try to imagine what it sounds like: think of the rhythm and the
way the tune moves – up or down by step or leap. When you have had a try, play the tune
over (or get somebody else to do it for you) and see how right you were. The more you
practise, the better you will get.
Imagine a short phrase in your head then try to write it down, to notate it: when you have
had a try, play back what you have written (or get somebody else to do it for you) and see
how close you were.
Write a short pattern of notes onto a stave, using the treble or bass clef, depending on
which you read better. Look at what you have written in terms of rhythm and pitch and try
to ‘hear it’ in your head. When you have tried this, as before, play back what you have
written (or get somebody else to do it for you) and see how close you were.
18 | P a g e
GCSE MUSIC REVISION GUIDE
General advice
Listen to music which you have heard before and you know demonstrates the use of one of more
Elements of Music well; for example, you might think of the opening of the music for Jaws and
think about its use of timbre and pitch. Imagine what this would sound like played on a
glockenspiel and, therefore, at a very high pitch: it would certainly not have the same effect. Ask
yourself:


What instruments are used?
What is their pitch?
Listen to dance music and try to work out the characteristic rhythms which set different dances
apart from each other, whether the dance be a waltz, a polka, a minuet, a club dance, disco
music and so on.
Listen to how different composers have used individual families of instruments:








string instruments (whether in chamber groups or a string orchestra)
brass instruments (whether orchestral brass used within an orchestra, for a fanfare, or as
a brass band)
percussion instruments, both pitched and unpitched
woodwind instruments, whether in chamber groups of like instruments or in mixed
woodwind groupings
wind bands (i.e. using both brass and woodwind inastruments), sometimes called concert
wind bands or military bands
jazz combinations, large and small; it is here that you are most likely to hear effects such
as con sordino (with a mute) and glissando (slide)
rock groups, particularly the ways guitars and percussion have been used
vocal groups both accompanied and unaccompanied (a cappella).
Listen for the different effects of various instrumental technqieus: pizzicato or plucking the
strings, arco or using the bow, col legno or with the wood of a bow, using mutes (con sordino),
sustaining and una corda pedals on the piano, and so on.
Listen also for the use of different types of articulation: playing smoothly (legato), playing in a
detached manner (staccato), the use of ornaments (e.g. trills, mordents or turns), changing
speeds (tempi) through rallentando/ritardando/ritenuto (rall. or rit.) – slowing down gradually –
or accelerando (accel.) – speeding up gradually.
Above all, know the key words for the Elements of Music and for each AoS and be sure you
understand all the vocabulary there. Test yourself by copying out some of the terms and then, at
a later date, try to explain what they mean.
19 | P a g e
OCR GCSE PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A brief outline of where you are
The course-SPECIFICATION J586
*All pupils have been issued with
a full copy of each years
SPECIFICATION –See MRS
HARLOW if you can not find yours.
MOCK EXAMINATION-B451 and
B453 will be in January. Revise –
Revise –Revise.
TOP TIPS:TOP TIPS: TOP TIPS:TOP TIPS:
*Access the OCR WEBSITE for
the full specification and past
papers and mark schemes.
*Purchase an OCR Revision Guide
by John Honeybourne – ISBN =
978-1-4441-5745-1
*Purchase the text OCR PE by
John Honeybourne-ISBN-978-034098330-0
UNIT B451-AN INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL
EDUCATION-WRITTEN EXAM-40 marksSUMMER
UNIT B452-PRACTICAL PERFORMANCE AND
ANALYSING LIFESTYLE TASK-60 marksCOMPLETE
UNIT B453—DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE IN
PHYSICAL EDUCATON-EXAM-40marksSUMMER
UNIT B454-PRACTICAL PERFORMANCE AND
ANALYSING PERFORMANCE TASK-60 marks.
PRACTICAL COMPLETE –CA TO DO IN
JANUARY
CONTACT US:CONTACT US: CONTACT US:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Come to FRIDAY NIGHT surgery in the
SPORTSHALL CLASSROOM 3.30-4.30
REVISE-REVISE-REVISE
Clear and legible hand writing –Writing
There are different ways of revising –the best
way for you will be one that suits how you
learn. Here are some general hints and tips to
help you.
clear, legible notes is vital in the revision
process. Use different colours to
highlight sub headings and key terms
• GO PUBLIC – Make a detailed
• SWITCH OFF-unplug your internet
revision timetable and post it where
everyone can see it. Letting others know
your plans…..lightens the load.
• MAKE YOURSELF….revision
connection as its too tempting to surf the web
…and …turn off your phone….(one
distraction too many ……
•
cards,posters,mind maps
• QUALITY TIME- ask friends
over and test each other.. Its
always better if you can test each
other rather than just testing
yourself
•
FEED YOUR BRAIN – eat sensibly as your
brain cells need energy to function well ….
Drink plenty of water so that you do not get
dehydrated….this causes tiredness and
reduces concentration.
And remember to RELAX – plan to revise
early and keep calm
Your science courses are OCR B Gateway
courses.
Triple science will be doing Biology, Chemistry
and Physics modules 1-6
Additional Science students will be doing
Biology, Chemistry and Physics modules 1-4
Make sure you revise from the right things!
BBC bitesize courses are very useful for this.
Resources you should use in revision
- The specification – can be viewed and
downloaded for free
- Your exercise book – this will have more work
that a revision guide and show you which areas
you need to work on
- A revision guide – a good summary of the work
you have covered
- Past papers – so you can practise reading and
answering questions in the style the exam will
be in.
Little things to focus on that mean big marks
Plan your time
- Do you know the correct units for your physics?
Can you rearrange an equation?
- Can you write a balanced symbol equation or a
word equation in chemistry?
- Can you identify and spell key words correctly in
all subjects, particularly in biology?
You have a lot of content to cover across
three subjects. Do not underestimate how
long you will need to cover it all properly!
Start early, plan your time and pace
yourselves.
Reading carefully – command words
Write clearly
Estimate – this means it is something that you
don’t know but you need to use the evidence
there to make a guess.
- There are words that are easily muddled up if
your handwriting is unclear (alkane, alkene).
Make sure you write neatly!
- Avoid using the word ‘it’. State what ‘it’ is so
you don’t lose easy marks.
- If you are justifying an opinion avoid saying
something is ‘better’ – explain why that thing
is better than alternatives.
State – recall a fact
Describe – say what you see
Explain – give the scientific reasons for
something – say why/how it happens.
Calculate – show your workings as you have
to work out this number. Write the equation
down that you need to use.