Resitting GCSE or A-level exams may not be the ideal scenario, or something that you planned for - however, hundreds of students will be retaking English and maths this autumn, and many will be retaking other subjects this summer. It’s easy to think that because you’ve done it once, luck will take over and you’ll do better, but the odds suggest that this is unlikely without a plan of action and hard work. In this article, we’re going to be covering exactly that: our top seven tips on how to ensure it’s a success second-time round.
Keep your goal in mind. Why do you need to pass this exam? Whatever the reason for resitting GCSEs or A-levels, it’s important to remind yourself of why you’re doing it in order to stay motivated. Visualising the aftermath of passing the exam can also be helpful.
It’s essential to understand why you didn’t do as well in the initial exam. Whether it was too many late nights, extra-curriculars that took you away from revision, or lack of exam technique, making sure to not repeat any previous mistakes is crucial.
Unfortunately, at GCSE and A-level, you won’t receive specific feedback on your test paper. However, you should be provided with a breakdown of each unit, so you can work out where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Note down the areas you were never comfortable with in the first place, as well as topics that come up regularly.
It’s important to plan and use your time efficiently, so create a schedule that addresses all of these issues. Map out how many weeks you have left until your resit and decide how many hours per week you need to dedicate to studying in order to get yourself to the level that you need to be at. Break each day into one or two-hour chunks of study time, each allocated to an achievable goal - be that memorising important facts and formulas, practising writing an essay under timed conditions, or sitting a past exam paper.
Consider approaching your revision somewhat differently. If you relied on just reading and re-reading your notes last time, why not try an active recall method, such as flashcards and mindmaps? This is useful to think about the information in new and interesting ways, as well as for it to stick for the exam.
The biggest mistake made when learning is not asking for help when it’s needed. It’s not just your teacher who’s a wealth of knowledge - friends who successfully passed first time around are also incredibly valuable. They may be able to explain an idea or concept in a way that’s easier to understand. Use every resource available to you!
Although you will want to work hard between now and your resit to achieve the best possible result, it’s important to not burn out. Establish a routine that balances your revision with enough sleep, regular breaks, good food and fresh air to keep you in optimum shape for when you resit your exam.
And to end with the words of Henry Ford: “Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” You’ve got this, good luck!
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