This article is written by our tutor, Luca P., who tutors Maths, Further Maths and Physics.
Hi! I’m Luca – a long-term tutor at MyTutor and, very proudly, an A* student at both GCSE and A-level.
I found my preparation for both GCSEs and A-levels very tough but looking back now, I can see how much that experience shaped not only my results but also the way I deal with challenges now. Revision is rarely easy, but I figured out what worked for me, and hopefully, sharing it might be helpful to whoever is reading this.
Step 1: Preparation, preparation, preparation
The first thing I did was figure out what I actually needed to work on. For GCSEs, I printed off the syllabuses for all my subjects. I know that sounds a bit over the top, but it gave me a proper overview of what I needed to cover. I’d highlight the topics I felt good about and underline the ones I struggled with. At A-level, I took it further by breaking down topics into smaller sections and making a note of the topics I found tricky. This made everything feel more manageable, like tackling smaller chunks instead of staring at a massive mountain of work.
Planning was a big part of it too. I did make and use a timetable, but tried to keep it flexible. Those super rigid schedules that people use online didn’t work for me – I wanted to have more flexibility and time for myself if needed. Instead, I’d set weekly goals. At GCSE, I spent way more time on subjects like English and German because I found them tough (hours of trying to remember quotes, grammar, vocab etc.) compared to something like maths, which was more about practice. At A-level, Physics needed consistent effort throughout the year due to more coursework, whereas maths revision really ramped up closer to exams.
📚 Take a look at our top tips for writing a revision timetable 📚
Step 2: Keep active!
One thing that really helped me was making my revision active. Nothing would ever stick if I was just reading through my notes, so I had to do something with the material to actually remember it.
- Flashcards were super helpful – I’d jot questions on one side and answers on the other, which helped me focus on the key points. For subjects like science and history, I also used Quizlet for digital flashcards, so I could test myself whenever I had spare time.
- Mind maps were really useful for essay-based subjects like English and Religious Studies. I’d start with a central idea, then branch out with everything I needed to know – quotes, dates, themes, characters, and so on. By the end of a session, my desk would be all over the place, but seeing it all mapped out made it easier to remember later.
- Past papers were another game-changer, especially for Maths and Science, and closer to exams I would time myself to get used to the pressure. At first, I made loads of mistakes, which was frustrating, but honestly, that’s where I learned the most. I kept a notebook just for questions I got wrong and would go over them until I understood where I went wrong. By exam time, I’d already tackled most of the tricky bits.
- For essay subjects, instead of writing out full essays all the time, I practiced planning them. I’d set a timer for 15 minutes, sketch out the structure, and sometimes just write an intro or a key paragraph. It helped me get my ideas organised without burning out.
Step 3: Motivation
Staying motivated wasn’t easy, though. During GCSEs, I used little reward schemes to help me stay motivated – things like watching 20 minutes of YouTube for every hour of revision or having my favourite snack in between past papers.
At A-level, I focused more on the long-term goal – I had my university offer letter placed on my desk to use as motivation for why I was working so hard. Revising with friends helped a lot too – going through hard questions together at lunchtime was super useful and sometimes just knowing I wasn’t alone made a big difference.
Step 4: Stay balanced
Finally, I made sure to take breaks and stay balanced. Exercise helped a lot – even a quick walk or a kickabout with friends cleared my head. During A-levels, I’d also give myself one guilt-free evening a week to relax and recharge, which made it easier to stay focused the rest of the time.
By the time exam season hit, the most important thing for me was being happy with the work I’d put in – and that was always the case. I achieved some great grades, which I will forever be proud of, but also learning how to stay organised, work consistently, and keep going when things felt tough are invaluable lessons to learn. Those lessons have stuck with me, and hopefully, something here helps you too.
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