How can I revise for my English literature exam?

This question is probably the most asked question from any English student! From personal experience the best way to revise for an English exam is to know what the exam board are looking for:

 

For example AQA  look for the assessment objectives (AO1,2,3,4) which need to be fulfilled. Each of these objectives need to be studied with the text, as well as knowing what the grade criteria is for each grade. 

 

E.g. AO4 looks at context so if you're studying The Great Gatsby you need to look at, for example, Fitzgerald's relationship with his wife, the 'American dream,' and the rise of Jazz and new money in America. If you study this in relation to key themes in the text like morality and work with the grade criteria (mainly the highest grade evaluates) then you are effectively revising a massive topic but tailoring it to the exam.

 

It can be really daunting revising for any English exam as there is so much content but if it is broken down into chunks in relation to what the examiner is looking for, with practice it is more approachable.

 

Practice questions are also key to help improve your writing, cut the waffle!