5 best revision strategies for your students

Learning is part and parcel of a student’s life. The things learned should also be understood and retained in a long-lasting way. This is where revision comes in and makes learning successful.

The cognitive effect

The human brain has both short-term and long-term memories. In contrast to short-term memory, which has a finite capacity and lifespan, long-term memory is infinite. When learning takes place, the information is first processed in short-term memory before it can be encoded into long-term memory. Therefore, when knowledge is stored in long-term memory, learning becomes permanent. However, because of its enormous capacity, long-term memory may retain a lot of information, making it difficult to retrieve knowledge and lessons. The proper knowledge can only be accessed from memory at the right time through relevant cues.

What is revision – the usual way

Revision (re-again, vision-perception, observation, or analysis) means reading, understanding, and studying the whole academic content one more or several times to retain it in a better and long-lasting way. 

Purpose and benefits of revision:

• Helps in the retention of concepts
• Boosts confidence and acts as a de-stress factor
• Enhances the level of understanding

Revision steps

R – Retrieval 

Any revision session should begin with retrieval. Encourage students to consider whether their chosen revising strategy will require them to use their long-term memory. Even during a brief period of individual study, they can access knowledge in a variety of ways:

• Completing past exam papers
• Copying from memory study notes or mental maps
• Going over earlier essays and adding more information without using notes
• Making a list of inquiries and preparing sample responses
• Taking ten minutes to list the topic’s keywords
• Brain dumps: for five minutes, students can write as much as they can on any given concept

E- Elaboration

This revision strategy focuses on strengthening the connections between various concepts in long-term memory. Students should review their study notes for one or two themes, then put them away and try to identify the similarities and differences between the two paragraphs they just read. They can also compare multiple subjects using this method.

Asking questions such as “What if…?” “Why does…?” or “How do we know…?” can help students better understand the concepts.

V – Visual and text

Encourage students to use both text and graphics in their study notes or flashcards to better retain information. This will provide more cues to aid in retrieving information from long-term memory when needed. This technique can also be used to remember new information when it is introduced.

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I – Interleaving

During review sessions, interleaving involves switching between various themes. Before moving on to a new topic, students should spend 20 to 40 minutes reviewing the previous one. During one revision session, they can switch between two distinct topics or review material from each of their subjects. In the classroom, interleaving can also be applied by integrating two topics into one question or adding a question from a previous topic to a low-stakes quiz.

S – Spacing

Spreading out revision sessions for a single topic over a two-week period is significantly more beneficial than doing it in a single day. Students should review new material as soon as they learn it, and then gradually increase the time intervals between each subsequent review session.

E – Examples

Examples can provide more cues for long-term memory. The collection of examples can be expanded for homework and review, and they can be used in class to help students understand abstract concepts. Students can be encouraged to make new lists of examples during their revision time.

What is the purpose of revision?

The following are few purposes of revision”

• Refreshing Forgotten Course Material -School syllabi often cover extensive content over an extended period. As students near examinations at the end of their academic year, it is natural to forget some of the material learned at the beginning. To retain and recall this information even if years have passed, regular revision is essential.
• Verify Your Understanding – Ensure often that your students still understand the content you have covered thoroughly, not only facts and figures but also deeper concepts. Make it a point to include understanding checks as a key part of your revision strategies and process.
• Reinforce Their Learning – Strengthening their understanding of the subjects will help them recall information more easily during the exam and boost their confidence beforehand.
• Grasp the Bigger Picture – As your students near the end of their academic year, help them to see how all the elements of the subject fit together and interact. They will be able to understand the interconnections of the topics learned. This broader perspective can be very beneficial, so try incorporating it into your revision methods.
• Identify and Fill Knowledge Gaps – By doing revisions regularly, support your students to identify gaps in their knowledge and understanding of the content and concepts. Practice ways to support students to fill the identified gaps.

What is the importance of revision techniques for students?

The importance of revision techniques are:

1. Helps Recall Details

Revision helps us remember facts, figures, topics, and methods that were studied a while ago. Revisiting material a second or third time can help your students catch details they might have missed the first time.

2. Increases Confidence

Revising topics multiple times before an exam boosts a student’s confidence. Familiarity with the lessons and concepts makes them feel more prepared and ready to face exam questions.

3. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Thorough revision can lower a student’s exam-related stress and anxiety. When they are well-prepared, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed, keeping their stress levels at a manageable level.

4. Complements Study Efforts

Revision reinforces the studying efforts of a student. It helps them become more thorough in the subject, leading to better preparation and potentially higher grades.

How to revise for exams effectively?

Teachers can promote effective exam revision by encouraging students to:

– Review class notes regularly.

– Create and use summaries or mind maps.

– Practice with past papers or sample questions.

– Engage in group discussions or peer teaching sessions.

– Encourage self-assessment and reflection on strengths and weaknesses.

– Provide students with the below tips:

• Organize the Study Space: Create a quiet, well-lit space with all necessary materials.
• Make a Revision Schedule: Plan dedicated time for each subject and stick to it.
• Use Active Learning Techniques: Summarize notes, teach others, and test yourself regularly.
• Practice Past Papers: Familiarize yourself with exam formats and types of questions.
• Take Breaks and Stay Healthy: Balance study with breaks, exercise, and healthy meals for optimal focus.

9 best revision techniques teachers should use

1. Practice Active Recall – Active recall involves:

 Understanding the material.

Recalling it without notes.

Checking your accuracy.

Flashcards and self-testing are useful tools.

2. Use Spaced Repetition – Review material at increasing intervals to enhance long-term memory. Tools like Anki or Quizlet can assist with scheduling revisions.
3. Break Down Large Topics – Divide complex subjects into smaller, manageable parts for easier understanding and memorization.
4. Summarize and Simplify – Condense information into simple concepts and use visuals like diagrams to aid memory retention.
5. Utilize Mnemonic Device – Employ memory aids such as acronyms or rhymes to recall key information effectively.
6. Engage in Active Learning – Take notes, ask questions, and create mind maps to interact with and understand study material actively.
7. Use Graphic Organizers – Construct graphic organizers to visualize connections between concepts and deepen understanding through active reconstruction.
8. Cornell Note-taking Method – Use this method to enhance engagement with material by summarizing, questioning, and reviewing key points.
9. Create Mind Maps – Visualize information hierarchically with main topics at the centre and related details branching out, using colours and images for clarity and recall.

5 revision strategies every student should know

1.  The Pomodoro technique

Instead of cramming, try to understand by following a process. The steps are:

• Spend the first 25 minutes reviewing academic material
• Take a five-minute break
• Start revision again
• Repeat this cycle for 2 to 3 hours after starting the revision process
• Take a two-hour break to avoid burnout
• Return to the study desk, refresh, and start rewriting

• Exam wrappers

This feedback technique provides information about the student’s revision methods and provides crucial data for the teacher to assess the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the student’s revision. It may also help control students’ overconfidence during revision.

• Get ready to teach

“Get Ready to Teach” asks students to teach a peer a concept or word from their revision topic. This encourages them to deepen their knowledge and has a positive impact on their learning.

• Past questions

Students should regularly and evenly practice exam questions. Repeatedly practicing exam questions or worked examples and creating their own will help them process, practice, and refine their revision to meet exam requirements.

• Everyone is unique

Remind students that everyone is unique and they must find the best revision techniques for themselves. Teach them how to use a variety of revision strategies, such as mind maps, flashcards, graphic organizers, revision schedules, quizzing, highlighting, pictures and videos, rewarding themselves for achieving revision goals, etc.

Conclusion

Subject teachers must explicitly explain the revision method, model it, and provide guided practice before students can effectively apply revision strategies. A good revision approach must be firmly based on subject knowledge and sustained over time.

Read More: Top 10 Online Revision Apps Available for students

FAQs

1. What is the best revision strategy?

The best revision strategy often depends on individual learning preferences and the subject matter. However, some universally effective strategies include:

• Active Recall: Testing oneself on the material without notes to reinforce memory.
• Spaced Repetition: Reviewing material at intervals to strengthen long-term retention.  
• Summarization: Condensing complex information into brief notes or diagrams.
• Practice with Variety: Use different methods such as flashcards, mind maps, and teaching others to reinforce understanding.
• Consistent Review: Regularly revisiting material to prevent forgetting and enhance comprehension.

The key is to find a combination of strategies that work best for one and to apply them consistently throughout their study routine.

2. What is the best way for students to revise?

The best way for students to revise effectively involves a combination of proven techniques:

• Active Engagement: Actively interact with the material by summarizing, questioning, and teaching others.
• Varied Methods: Use a mix of strategies such as active recall (self-testing), spaced repetition, and visual aids like mind maps.
• Consistent Review: Regularly revisit topics to reinforce memory and understanding.
• Organization: Create a structured study schedule and a conducive study environment.
• Practice: Apply knowledge through practice questions, past exams, or simulations to build confidence and identify areas needing improvement.

By incorporating these approaches, students can optimize their revision efforts and enhance their learning outcomes.

3. What is the 2 3 5 7 revision rule?

The 2-3-5-7 rule is a strategy designed to schedule study sessions leading up to exams. With this method, a student should review the initial notes on day one, then again on days two and three, and finally on days five and seven. This systematic approach can help overcome forgetfulness and enhance a student’s learning process effectively.

4. How to revise quickly?

To revise quickly and effectively:

• Focus on Key Points: Identify essential concepts and prioritize understanding them.
• Use Summaries: Condense notes into concise summaries or diagrams.
• Active Recall: Test on the material to reinforce memory.
• Prioritize Weak Areas: Focus more on topics that seem challenging.
• Utilize Memory Techniques: Employ mnemonic devices or visual aids to aid retention.

These strategies can help streamline the revision process and maximize efficiency.

5. How do I plan my revision?

To plan your revision effectively-

• Assess the Study Material: Identify what needs to be revised and prioritize topics based on importance or difficulty.
• Set Goals: Break down the revision into manageable tasks and set specific goals for each session.
• Create a Schedule: Allocate time slots for each subject or topic, considering the available study time and deadlines.
• Use Techniques: Choose revision techniques that work best, such as active recall, summarization, or practice questions.
• Review Progress: Regularly assess the progress and adjust the plan as needed to stay on track.