So many young people don’t feel the need to revise and prepare for their mock exams because while it is assessed, it is not often counted towards a final grade and therefore many deem it “irrelevant” or a waste of their time. 

As so many people found out during the pandemic, mock exams can play a monumental role in determining a child’s grades and their path in higher education and employment. 

Yes, there may be more flexibility on revising for the odd mock history test in year nine but regardless of what stage of their education they are at, we believe children should always strive to succeed and make the most out of every exam environment.

We know just how valuable mocks are so we are sharing guidance on what students and parents can do to make the most of these exams, from hiring an exam tutor to improving note-taking skills. 

So what are the benefits of revising for mocks and hiring an exam tutor?

The opportunity to experience an exam environment 

Going into an exam environment can be incredibly daunting for young people and the stress and unfamiliarity of exams can play a role in their overall performance. Revising for mocks and treating them like the real exam will ensure children have not only have the knowledge to do well but also gives them the opportunity to experience sitting an exam so they are mentally prepared ahead of the real thing.

Strong performance in mocks can set a child up for success 

You never know when something might go awry during a final exam, whether that be a memory lapse on a hidden text a child thought they knew inside out or a global pandemic preventing exams from even going ahead. Revising for mocks will set your child up for success and ensure they have strong results to fall back on if they are unable to make the real exam or if something doesn’t go to plan on the day.

Prevents children from being caught out

Both parents and children will have heard a classmate say “I didn’t even bother revising” at some stage in the lead-up to exams. The likelihood is that isn’t true and there would have been an element of revision taking place behind the scenes, whether it was working with an exam tutor or cramming on the bus on the way into school in the week prior. 

Even if a child’s peers really aren’t revising, it’s important to keep in mind that people have strong subjects and natural aptitudes towards specific areas so it may be that they have less need to revise given their knowledge of a subject is already strong.

Children shouldn’t be lured into a false sense of security by thinking nobody else is revising so they can forgo it too because that’s so rarely the case and the only people that lose out are those who genuinely didn’t revise. 

Exam Tutors can help identify knowledge gaps

Preparing for mocks means a child can answer questions to the best of their ability, ensuring teachers, an exam tutor and parents all have a solid understanding of a child’s capabilities so they can address any knowledge gaps or weaker subjects in plenty of time for the real exam. 

Should We Hire an Exam Tutor?

Almost every child will have areas of strength and weakness when it comes to approaching exams, just as they will have subjects they find easy (and challenging) so there’s always benefit in engaging an exam tutor to help address the weaker areas but it’s essential to find the right person for your child.

At Hampstead and Frognal Tutors we know every child is different and that each will have a unique learning style so whether your child is baffled by trigonometry or needs a helping hand approaching an unseen text in an English exam, our exam tutors will identify your child’s individual needs and devise a tailor-made programme of tuition to help them thrive.

What Other Techniques and Resources Are Available To Help with Mock Exam Revision?

School resources

If there’s an important exam coming up then one of the best resources for revision will almost certainly be a child’s existing textbooks as these will ensure all core elements of the curriculum have been covered.

Schools and teachers will also be on hand to answer questions and give guidance if students require additional support, both because they want the best for their pupils and because it reflects well on the school or university if academic performance is strong – so if there are any areas you feel your child could spend more time revising, a teacher will be glad to point you in the direction of the right textbook chapter or any additional learning materials to support revision.

Lesson Notes

Just as school and university resources will help support learning, so will a child’s own notes. In the months and weeks leading up to exams, effective note taking is enormously helpful as it allows people to manage and condense the information presented during lessons, lectures or meetings in a way that can be easily-retained for future use and can help provide clarity and structure when answering questions both in coursework and exam settings. We talk more about effective note-taking and tips to do so in this post.

Podcasts, Films & Books

While the likes of podcasts and TV can be a distraction during revision periods, there are a handful of shows that can help enrich learning and bolster a child’s knowledge in a light and engaging way. Not all children find reading textbooks and notes an effective way to revise so finding other materials such as podcasts, audiobooks or video content from a reliable source can support revision and help young people consume knowledge in a way that is easier to digest. 

Additionally, some shows may provide additional context or insight beyond what’s been taught in lessons which can help elevate exam answers and inspire self-directed learning.

In summary, no matter how a child chooses to approach revision, preparation for mocks is always worthwhile, even if it’s not something anyone particularly looks forward to. From textbooks, to exam tutors to audiobooks, there are a number of tools available for children to help make revision as manageable and enjoyable as possible and ensure they are set up for success when full exams roll around.

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Useful resources:

Spotify’s “Revise” Playlist – students break down complicated revision subjects to their core components to support revision for GCSE & A Level exams.

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Whether you’re at secondary school, university or entering the professional world, effective note-taking is an essential skill. It allows people to manage and condense the information presented during lessons, lectures or meetings in a way that can be easily-retained for future use. 

For students, this is particularly beneficial as effective notes can help provide clarity and structure when writing essays and they allow us to absorb new information that can be drawn upon in exams or when completing homeworks and coursework. In fact, research^[1] even suggests that effective note-taking is associated with increased academic performance so there’s benefit in sharpening your note-taking skills, both for learning and as a skill to take forward with you in later life.

Everyone has opinions and advice but among universities, tutors, teachers and education experts alike there are consistent rules and tips to follow for effective note-taking.

1. Do the prep work

First and foremost, make sure you’ve done any work required prior to a lesson, lecture or tutoring session. Whether it’s a piece of homework or additional reading, doing the prep will set you up for success. 

If there wasn’t an assignment prior to a lesson then it’s useful to re-read any notes you made last time to refresh your memory and reflect on whether there’s any areas that need clarity so you’re equipped for the lesson or tutoring session.

2. Decide on which note-taking format is most effective for you

There are a number of effective note-taking methods (some of which are outlined in the resources section at the bottom of this post) but one of the most common and popular formats is ‘the linear method’. Put simply, it uses techniques like numbering, bullets, highlighted headers, capitalisation or columns to manage the information given and organise notes. 

Everyone will have a format that works best for them. For example, some people really benefit from formats like a mind map to help visualise and digest complex topics or show how thoughts and themes feed into one another. But it’s important to work with whichever feels right and most effective for your learning, rather than that of the person sitting next to you.

3. Be an active listener

When in lessons, people often take notes that repeat what the tutor or teacher said verbatim but don’t really absorb any of the information being passed on. Being an active listener will help students to comprehend what’s being taught and capture condensed but effective notes.

4. Focus on new information

While it can be tempting and somewhat logical to jot down everything you hear, it’s not practical. If you’re writing everything that’s said, it hinders your ability to be an active listener but also makes it doubly hard to then refer back to notes for revision, homework or essay-writing as there’s too much information to digest.

You’ll certainly have some base knowledge of the topic already so, when in a lesson, just focus on writing new information rather than collating notes that reflect what you already know or what’s obvious.

5. Take notes by hand

We live in an era where a device is never far away and often it feels much more effective and convenient to take notes on a laptop but research^[2] shows that hand-written notes actually allow people to retain information better. 

There are a few hypotheses as to why, one of which is that writing notes by hand is slower, forcing you to really think about what’s being taught and be selective about the information you make note of. While note-taking on a laptop is quicker, people are more inclined to passively listen and repeat every word in their notes, meaning less of the information is absorbed. 

Having a device handy also provides opportunities for distraction. Regardless of our age, we’ve all fallen victim to mindlessly scrolling through social media, reading online articles or shopping during an important lesson!

6. Use abbreviations, acronyms and text language

When you’re trying to capture effective notes by hand it can be challenging to keep up with the information being given to you. Using abbreviations, acronyms, symbols and text language can help to quickly write notes that are still easy to digest later on. Here’s some useful examples:

• “Probs” for problems
• “B4” for before
• “w/o” for without
• “R&J” for Romeo and Juliet
• “KC1” for King Charles I

7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

People are often too embarrassed to ask if something’s unclear but asking questions will allow you to get clear and accurate notes that you can refer back to down the line. It may also open up a broader conversation with teachers, tutors or peers that gives you additional detail so you can further your own learning and understanding.

8. Go back to your notes afterwards

There’s no need to swat up as if you were going into an exam but spending 15 minutes reviewing your notes later in the week can help you retain the information more effectively. It will also help identify any knowledge gaps you may have so you can go to your next lesson or tutoring session armed with questions and ready to learn.

9. Practice makes perfect

While this may sound an unusual recommendation, effective note-taking doesn’t just happen overnight, it really is a skill. If you find yourself struggling to keep up in lessons or coming away with notes that aren’t quite thorough enough, then practising can help find a style that works and is manageable for you. 

• Textbook approach – Try taking notes from an existing textbook, pulling out key information that feels relevant and digestible without repeating what’s on the page word-for-word.
• Try with a tutor – If you have a tutor, or are looking to engage the services of one, your sessions can be a great place to practice your note-taking skills. You’ll more than likely be in a 1-1 environment with a tutor, which is less pressure, so it’s easier to pull focus and collate strong notes. 
• Test it with a live stream – Listen to a relevant podcast or TED Talk and try taking notes from that without pausing the episode. This will help you get in the swing of writing effective notes in real time and, if you pick a relevant topic to listen to, it can even help further your own learning.

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Useful Resources:

Different Styles of Note-Taking

Sources:

^[1]Armbruster, 2009; Fischer & Harris, 1973; Kiewra, 1985; Kobayashi, 2006; Peverly, Brobst, Graham, & Shaw, 2003; Peverly et al., 2007).

^[2] Pam A Mueller, Daniel M Oppenheimer, 2014: “The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking”

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