Organisation is vital. The 9-1 GCSEs cover a huge amount of material. It’s a challenge but with structure, you can do it.
My GSCE Science provides you with best-in-class learning videos. These concise, in-depth tutorials cover the specification precisely and comprehensively: everything you need to learn.
We also provide best-in-class revision resources. Our multiple-choice quizzes allow a quick and easy recap. Then our exam-style questions help you really understand the topic. Our mark schemes describe exactly what the examiners are looking for and give you hints and tips on how to answer questions. In combination, these resources are ideal for exam preparation.
Finally, we apply structure to your learning. How? The quiz results on each topic are automatically reflected in your Progress Tracker. This helps you manage your time and focus your learning and revision where it’s needed.
Our job at My GCSE Science is to support you through the course. But we can’t do it all. These are your GCSEs – so get with the programme!
Grab a ring binder, get some file dividers and split the folder into topics. Do this for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. For each subject, print out our Revision Checklist, located at the top of the video dashboard for each subject. This covers everything you need to learn. File the checklist at the beginning of the relevant folder.
It’s also worth having a separate section in your folder for the essential practicals that will be assessed in each of the subjects. Here you can file your class practical notes and the notes from the My GCSE Science videos that relate to those practicals.
Once you’ve set up your revision folders, you need to start filling them! We recommend short, effective learning sessions of 30-40 minutes. If you begin at the start of Year 10 with three 30-minute sessions each week, you’ll have the whole course covered by the winter term of Year 11.
So, how do you learn a topic with My GCSE Science? 1) Recap, 2) Learn and 3) Apply.
First, do a quick recap of the previous topic you learned. Review your notes and then have another go at the multiple choice quiz. This will help you retain what you’ve previously learned. Your knowledge of science will begin to “stick” in your mind.
Choose the video tutorial for the current topic. Print out the illustrated note sheets we’ve already prepared for you. Watch the video, remembering to stop and rewind when you need to. For topics you already know well, you can increase the playback speed. For topics where you need more time, you can slow down the playback speed. While you’re watching the video, make notes in your own style: bullet points, mind maps, paragraphs, spider diagrams… whatever you prefer.
This is a really important part of learning. Completing the note sheets will help you focus. It will stop your mind wandering. It will also create a great set of notes that you can come back to before class tests, your mocks and before the GCSE exams themselves. Some topics will take a little longer. Take the time you need.
Once you’re done, file the notes in the relevant section of your folder.
So you’ve just been through a topic, but have you really understood it?! To find out, you need to apply the knowledge you’ve learned.
First, try the multiple-choice questions on the topic. Your result in these quizzes will set the topic to red amber or green so you can track which topics you know well, and which require further work. (If you have a school subscription, your teacher will also be able to track your progress). Quiz results are fixed for 24 hours, but you can then give it a second shot if you need to.
After this, try the exam-style questions on the topic. Check your answers against the mark scheme. File the corrected answers in your revision folder.
The ‘apply’ part of learning is when your brain works the hardest. It’s also the most useful, when you ‘deep-learn’ the science. Doing the questions and checking the mark scheme will also help with exam technique: how to answer the questions you will find in your GCSE exam paper.
Finally, take a couple of minutes to have a quick look over your notes. Just doing this helps you to consolidate your learning.
Work steadily through the topics and you will soon build an excellent knowledge of the 9-1 GCSE specification. Use the traffic lights on the video dashboard to keep tabs on your progress. This will remind you what you already know well, so you can focus your time on the tougher topics which need extra work.
OK, that’s it. Got the idea?! Have look at this handy A4 graphic which summarises the process.
Granted, this is a lot of work. But in doing so, you’ll become the best type of learner: a reflective learner. And reflective learners make the biggest improvements. Follow our approach thoroughly and you’ll be set for an 8 – and maybe even a 9 – in GCSE Science 🙂
Convinced? Have a look at what last year’s students had to say: Success Stories
My GCSE Science
