During the course
Preparing for an external examination is a continuous process throughout the course. All the activities, lessons, homework,practical work and assessments are major factors in determining your final examination grade, so the first piece of advice is to suggest that you work steadily throughout the two years of your course. It is essential that you prepare thoroughly for internal school
examinations, then, as you approach the IGCSE examination and start your revision programme, the topics will be familiar and the learning process will be less stressful and more productive.
Make sure that your notes are up-to-date. If you miss work through absence, either copy it from a reliable friend or leave a comment in your notes that will remind you to refer to the topic in a textbook. Similarly, look at any homework you have missed and if it involves the reinforcement of skills or concepts, then it would be a good idea to photocopy it. This may not be a popular suggestion but you must realise that not all homework assignments are of equal value – some are integral components of the course. You will need to make a judgement, but to help you here is some general advice: problems, problem solving, factual material that is not covered elsewhere in your scheme of work and past questions should be photocopied or, even better, you should complete the assignments on your return.
In summary:
● work steadily throughout the course
● ensure that your work is both complete and accurate ● learn the topics for tests and internal examinations
● if you find an aspect of the course difficult seek assistance.
Revision
Well in advance of the examination, produce a revision timetabletechniques
for all your subjects. Be realistic – you must include time for relaxation and socialising. Then create a more detailed one for Physics, to cover all the topics. Ideally, you ought to go through the complete course twice. Keep a checklist of the topics studied – it is encouraging to have a visual record of your progress. It is useful to have a copy of the syllabus but not essential, as this book includes all the information required for IGCSE Physics.Ideally, you should have a quiet room at a comfortable temperature, plenty of paper and a pencil or pen. Some students find doodling (Physics of course) with coloured pens helpful. On occasions, revising with a friend makes a welcome and useful change. You will have to discover for how long you can profitably study. This is a very individual characteristic and can vary from person to person, and may be as little as 30 minutes. Few people can revise solidly and effectively for much more than an hour at a
time into study sessions and breaks. You may want to introduce rewards – ‘When I have finished this section of work I will …’. Revision, like all learning, must be active. Do not believe that just looking at a book is an effective way of learning. You could make flash cards that have bullet lists of essential points. You could study the topic for several minutes and then close the book and write out what you can remember, then check your account against the book. Repeat this until you have most of the information correct, then move on to another section of work. This is the ‘look, cover, write and check technique’ and it is very effective for the majority of students. It is crucial that you repeat this technique on the same topic, at least once but preferably twice, soon afterwards, that is, either later the same day or the next day. This will greatly increase your long-term retention of the topic.
Keeping a list of important words is useful. You could write the words on one side of a card and the meanings on the other. Then when you have an odd few minutes you can brush up on your Physics vocabulary.
Once you have acquired a reasonably good knowledge and understanding of the course, it is time to extend your revision to practising on past papers. This is a most valuable form of
preparation; not only does it provide a test of the effectiveness of your revision but it also provides an insight into what to expect in the ‘real’ examination.
The examination syllabus gives a full list of the terms used by examiners and how candidates are expected to respond. The most common terms are listed on p. viii of this book.
How to approach
If the examination centre has provided a detailed timetable, thenthe examination
highlight your examinations and put the timetable in a prominent place in your home. Ask one of your family to check with you each day your commitments for the next day. This will avoid the following type of situation occurring:Student ‘I thought that the examination was this afternoon.’ Teacher ‘No, it was this morning. You will now have to sit it in November or next year.’
Put out the correct equipment the night before – pencil, sharpener, eraser, ruler, protractor, pair of compasses, calculator (are the batteries OK?) and two pens.
Leave home in generous time; if you are late you will not be given extra time and, under certain circumstances, you will not be allowed to enter the examination room. The regulations vary depending on the Examination Board. Do not put yourself at a disadvantage. It is no good saying, for example, ‘The 8.45 bus didn’t run this morning and I had to wait for the 9.15.’ It is the candidate’s responsibility to arrive on time for an examination. You should always allow time to spare.