Two of the top scorers in the 2020 IGCSE course, Ernest Yip and Tanisa Goyal, have provided some useful advice and anecdotes for future pupils to exceed in the curriculum. You should prioritize subjects that you are struggling in, but as for the others, keep the time you spend on them balanced. You don’t need to study every subject every day, but keep aware of all of them as a whole. Allocating balanced and set times for subject revision removes stress from one subject, and allows you to generate a more holistic revision experience.
Note-taking is incredibly important. After each class, it’s recommended to review the notes you took in class as soon as you finish them. Not just the day before the test. This also requires you to take quality notes in class, so you can review the proper information when
you have the time. What do you do if your notes aren’t up to par? Ask the teacher! They’re there to help, it’s literally their job. Tanisa spent three to four hours a day on revision, consistently leading up to exams. Ernest, conversely, spent around one hour a day on revision and increased it to two hours a day nearing exams. Impactful times vary from person to person, so experiment to see what times suit you and whether you prefer interval learning or revising everything in one shot. Tanisa started revising quite early, so consider implementing an efficient revision routine immediately.
In addition to the notes you take, use online resources! Online textbooks can add more detail to your notes, providing information that wasn't covered by the standard textbook or your teacher. Both Ernest and Tanisa recommend using online past papers as you approach the exams to solidify your understanding of each topic. This also teaches you the mark scheme, which is immensely helpful, as you know what points to go for when answering questions.
To condense these points: Aside from adequate sleep, you want to take proper notes and review them at home so you don’t forget anything. This also limits the amount of time spent relearning the content if you do forget. If you do have any questions, ask your teacher. Also, do more practice questions. Use online resources to find them, as they identify where your knowledge gaps are and help understand how to answer the questions. Look at other sources of information, as they might offer other information that wasn’t covered by your textbooks and tutor. The idea here is to fill your notes with information that might surprise you on the exam. Also, other books might explain concepts better. And just a tip for exam practice, do it under exam conditions. Do your papers timed, in silence, and with no opportunities to look at answers.
This would give you the best reflection of your current ability, and forecast what you need to work on. And lastly, don’t be scared, and enter the exam hall with a positive attitude.
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