The Student Room Group

how can I get my grades up rlly quickly?

My school did mocks a week ago and this is what I got:
Maths: 7
English Language:7
English Literature:9
Further Maths: 7
Chemistry:6
Physics:6
Biology: 8
Computer Science: 6
French: 6
History: 5
FSMQ: failed rlly badly

the main reasons why I'm so worried about this are that a) I couldnt understand most of the stuff on the mocks at all compared to my classmates who found it rlly easy, b) my current school is closing so I need to get into a new sixth form, c) I lied to my parents that I was studying over the summer even tho I mostly slacked off so they expect me to get straight 9's. They also want me to get into a grammar schl.

the problem is that most of the sixth forms I rlly want to go to need mostly 9's to get in and obviously I'm nowhere near that but I rlly rlly want to get into a good sixth form bcs I want to go to oxbridge. it's entirely my fault that I did so poorly on the mocks bcs I have a massive problem with procrastinating on revision.

can anyone give me anyone tips to somehow miraculously get up to 8's + 9's in the next 5 months??

Reply 1

for maths literally js SPAM past papers, watch those past paper walk thru videos on yt which means u can quickly cover content w/o delving into it in detail if ur short on time. also make sure u actually understand the content so u know how to apply the knowledge

for eng lang spam exam qs too, and work on ur language techniques and stuff, then ask the teachers to mark it to get feedback.

for chem, phy and bio u can do past papers. id do the most recent ones first and then work down to the oldest from there. what i did for my alevel mocks i had the paper on one side and the mark scheme on the other side. then i would read the q properly, answer the q in my head and then look at the mark scheme, read the answer, try to memorise it and then blurt it out -- answering the q. this way ull learn ab exam technique and what mark schemes r looking for insanelyyyy quick and i sounds a bit complicated but i literally swear by this cuz i got AAA in my mocks by doing this lol. also ull be able to pick up content for the subjects from the mark scheme, in mark scheme FORMAT

for history id go thru the revision textbooks (i did edexcel so i had those revision guide textbooks i think which were really helpful), and id just try remember and understand the content and blurt it all out on a whiteboard n repeat.

Reply 2

Original post
by livviii
My school did mocks a week ago and this is what I got:
Maths: 7
English Language:7
English Literature:9
Further Maths: 7
Chemistry:6
Physics:6
Biology: 8
Computer Science: 6
French: 6
History: 5
FSMQ: failed rlly badly
the main reasons why I'm so worried about this are that a) I couldnt understand most of the stuff on the mocks at all compared to my classmates who found it rlly easy, b) my current school is closing so I need to get into a new sixth form, c) I lied to my parents that I was studying over the summer even tho I mostly slacked off so they expect me to get straight 9's. They also want me to get into a grammar schl.
the problem is that most of the sixth forms I rlly want to go to need mostly 9's to get in and obviously I'm nowhere near that but I rlly rlly want to get into a good sixth form bcs I want to go to oxbridge. it's entirely my fault that I did so poorly on the mocks bcs I have a massive problem with procrastinating on revision.
can anyone give me anyone tips to somehow miraculously get up to 8's + 9's in the next 5 months??

hi @livviii speak to your teachers after class and ask if you could have a chat about your grades and how to improve them. You can go over your past papers and see what it is you mainly struggle with as this will give you advice that's tailored to you. It's better to work on the specific stuff you struggle with from this tailored advice as that is how you will see the biggest improvements the fastest.

Try to make the most of your revision. I would recommend to focus on the subjects you have that day in your revision, stay after or before in the library making notes / flashcards, then closer to the exams swap this out for memorising the flashcards, doing past papers and getting friends to hold the flashcards and quiz you.

Try sticking to just the work hours of the day e.g. 9-6 and always have a rest day once a week where you do no studying or work at all. It's important to rest your brain and prevent burnout otherwise the studying can become useless.

If you commute, use this time to catch up on homework or revising as this will make the most out of your day and should stick to the only studying 9-5 or whichever times you set.

Podcasts are also a great passive way of learning especially for language. Watching movies and tv shows are a good way to relax but still be taking in the language and improving your listening skills. French music would be a good idea too.

For improving memorisation, try out the pomodoro technique as this allows you to use your brain better and maximise memorisation. Also, it may sound silly but visual mind maps also really help as it makes you use the right hand side of your brain not just your left, and visual information is much easier to memorise than long textbooks.

Hope this helps!

Vee (kingston rep)

Reply 3

Honest advice - work in a public library in the evenings or at weekends, and put your phone away.
No distractions means you will do more work and get more involved in those subjects. You have already realised that pretending doesn't work and that you do actually have to knuckle down and do the work. Ask relevant teachers for help on specific topics when you need to. You will get there - IF you want it badly enough.

Reply 4

you need to be really motivated to study - once i was i kept doing more !

make sure you don't burn out bc then you'll stop enjoying it

use a timer app like study bunny or pomodoro

content wise save my exams is really good, seneca is good for active recall

good luck with gcses!

Reply 5

Original post
by livviii
My school did mocks a week ago and this is what I got:
Maths: 7
English Language:7
English Literature:9
Further Maths: 7
Chemistry:6
Physics:6
Biology: 8
Computer Science: 6
French: 6
History: 5
FSMQ: failed rlly badly
the main reasons why I'm so worried about this are that a) I couldnt understand most of the stuff on the mocks at all compared to my classmates who found it rlly easy, b) my current school is closing so I need to get into a new sixth form, c) I lied to my parents that I was studying over the summer even tho I mostly slacked off so they expect me to get straight 9's. They also want me to get into a grammar schl.
the problem is that most of the sixth forms I rlly want to go to need mostly 9's to get in and obviously I'm nowhere near that but I rlly rlly want to get into a good sixth form bcs I want to go to oxbridge. it's entirely my fault that I did so poorly on the mocks bcs I have a massive problem with procrastinating on revision.
can anyone give me anyone tips to somehow miraculously get up to 8's + 9's in the next 5 months??


Hi,

Don’t panic, you still have time to make real progress before exams. Start by identifying your weak areas and focus on them first. Active recall is key for learning content, use flashcards, mind maps, blurting, recording yourself, or teaching someone else.

Once you’ve reviewed the content, complete topic-by-topic questions, practice timed essays with feedback, and then move on to full past papers. Reading examiner reports can also help to gain top marks. Attend any after-school sessions your teachers offer and use the Pomodoro method, flexible timetables and quieter spaces to stay focused.

Make sure you also take breaks, enjoy hobbies, and spend time with family and friends to prevent burnout. Steady, consistent effort can make a big difference in your grades.

Hope this helps, good luck with your revision!

Tayba
Student Rep

Reply 6

Y12 student who was fighting his way through GCSES this time last year as well.
First - breathe ..... take a step back and appreciate how well you are already doing. GCSEs are designed to be difficult, and with another 5 months until GCSEs start, there's a lot of time for improvement.
Advice that I would give to my younger self:
1) Use the pomodoro technique. I SWEAR by it. If you're unfamiliar, the pomodoro technique is where you do a long period of intense study followed by a short break, e.g. 50 minutes study and 10 minute break. There are lots of study with me videos on Youtube and these help motivate you to study.
2) Mixed opinions on this, but personally, I LOVE studying to music, which is quite unpopular, but music makes me associate studying with good things, but music without lyrics is better for concentrating.
3) Split your revision into these three main aspects - a) Understanding - actually learning and understanding what the content actually means is FAR more effective than simply remembering random facts that make more sense. This can involve writing and consolidating notes or watching a video. b) Memorisation - use active recall methods such as blurting or flashcards to remember the content that you have learnt. I'm not a personal fan of flashcards, but if you use flashcards, you can sort them into different piles, e.g. a pile for everything you recalled easily and a pile for everything you didn't recall easily.
4) part c) to three step revision. Exam Practise and Application of Knowledge. This is by far the most important part of your revision. Blitz through as many past exam questions as you can, do as many past papers under exam conditions, as you will quickly learn what the mark scheme is looking for and different tricks you can use in the exam.
5) Use the specification as your revision list. The specification contains EVERYTHING you need to know and you could possibly be tested on, and it's readily available on the internet.
6) Not only use the mark scheme, but read the examiner's report. The examiner's report is a document made based on an exam and it talks about all the questions, how well a question was answered, where most students did and didn't do well.
7) Take care of yourself. Make sure you consistently take breaks to avoid burnout. Sleep!!! You will function far better with 8hrs of sleep, all nighters are not worth it, please don't stay up until the crack of dawn cramming.
Hope this helps! And make sure you plan a nice holiday for when GCSEs are all over :smile:

Reply 7

Original post
by livviii
My school did mocks a week ago and this is what I got:
Maths: 7
English Language:7
English Literature:9
Further Maths: 7
Chemistry:6
Physics:6
Biology: 8
Computer Science: 6
French: 6
History: 5
FSMQ: failed rlly badly
the main reasons why I'm so worried about this are that a) I couldnt understand most of the stuff on the mocks at all compared to my classmates who found it rlly easy, b) my current school is closing so I need to get into a new sixth form, c) I lied to my parents that I was studying over the summer even tho I mostly slacked off so they expect me to get straight 9's. They also want me to get into a grammar schl.
the problem is that most of the sixth forms I rlly want to go to need mostly 9's to get in and obviously I'm nowhere near that but I rlly rlly want to get into a good sixth form bcs I want to go to oxbridge. it's entirely my fault that I did so poorly on the mocks bcs I have a massive problem with procrastinating on revision.
can anyone give me anyone tips to somehow miraculously get up to 8's + 9's in the next 5 months??

These are pretty good grades compared to mine. What I would Do If I was you is, work on my weaknesses. What I would do is go through subjects I want to study for the day and go through chapters as much as I can. Write chapter name, heading and subheadings and write as much as I can remember. Compare it with the textbook and see where I lack. It's blurting basically.

Reply 8

Original post
by livviii
My school did mocks a week ago and this is what I got:
Maths: 7
English Language:7
English Literature:9
Further Maths: 7
Chemistry:6
Physics:6
Biology: 8
Computer Science: 6
French: 6
History: 5
FSMQ: failed rlly badly
the main reasons why I'm so worried about this are that a) I couldnt understand most of the stuff on the mocks at all compared to my classmates who found it rlly easy, b) my current school is closing so I need to get into a new sixth form, c) I lied to my parents that I was studying over the summer even tho I mostly slacked off so they expect me to get straight 9's. They also want me to get into a grammar schl.
the problem is that most of the sixth forms I rlly want to go to need mostly 9's to get in and obviously I'm nowhere near that but I rlly rlly want to get into a good sixth form bcs I want to go to oxbridge. it's entirely my fault that I did so poorly on the mocks bcs I have a massive problem with procrastinating on revision.
can anyone give me anyone tips to somehow miraculously get up to 8's + 9's in the next 5 months??

Drop FMSQ and focus on the other subjects.

Have you had your papers back yet? If so you need to RAG rate topics so you know which topics are AMBER and they are the ones to focus on first. [If you don't know about RAG rating then tag me]

Reply 9

Original post
by LXY0705
Y12 student who was fighting his way through GCSES this time last year as well.
First - breathe ..... take a step back and appreciate how well you are already doing. GCSEs are designed to be difficult, and with another 5 months until GCSEs start, there's a lot of time for improvement.
Advice that I would give to my younger self:
1) Use the pomodoro technique. I SWEAR by it. If you're unfamiliar, the pomodoro technique is where you do a long period of intense study followed by a short break, e.g. 50 minutes study and 10 minute break. There are lots of study with me videos on Youtube and these help motivate you to study.
2) Mixed opinions on this, but personally, I LOVE studying to music, which is quite unpopular, but music makes me associate studying with good things, but music without lyrics is better for concentrating.
3) Split your revision into these three main aspects - a) Understanding - actually learning and understanding what the content actually means is FAR more effective than simply remembering random facts that make more sense. This can involve writing and consolidating notes or watching a video. b) Memorisation - use active recall methods such as blurting or flashcards to remember the content that you have learnt. I'm not a personal fan of flashcards, but if you use flashcards, you can sort them into different piles, e.g. a pile for everything you recalled easily and a pile for everything you didn't recall easily.
4) part c) to three step revision. Exam Practise and Application of Knowledge. This is by far the most important part of your revision. Blitz through as many past exam questions as you can, do as many past papers under exam conditions, as you will quickly learn what the mark scheme is looking for and different tricks you can use in the exam.
5) Use the specification as your revision list. The specification contains EVERYTHING you need to know and you could possibly be tested on, and it's readily available on the internet.
6) Not only use the mark scheme, but read the examiner's report. The examiner's report is a document made based on an exam and it talks about all the questions, how well a question was answered, where most students did and didn't do well.
7) Take care of yourself. Make sure you consistently take breaks to avoid burnout. Sleep!!! You will function far better with 8hrs of sleep, all nighters are not worth it, please don't stay up until the crack of dawn cramming.
Hope this helps! And make sure you plan a nice holiday for when GCSEs are all over :smile:

yo, iam a gcse student who got 5 in edexcel eng lit, 4 in eng lang edexcel, 6 in biology, 7 in chem and pysics aqa higher triple, 6 in aqa gcse geography, 8 in ocr comp sci, 7 in edexcel maths. What would you say for me to improve to push everything to 8/9??? ma predictred grades are 4/5 but i aim for 8/9 for all my subjects??? what would a grade 8/9 student would say?????tips???tricks??revision websites???

Reply 10

Original post
by Emmanuel Nixon
yo, iam a gcse student who got 5 in edexcel eng lit, 4 in eng lang edexcel, 6 in biology, 7 in chem and pysics aqa higher triple, 6 in aqa gcse geography, 8 in ocr comp sci, 7 in edexcel maths. What would you say for me to improve to push everything to 8/9??? ma predictred grades are 4/5 but i aim for 8/9 for all my subjects??? what would a grade 8/9 student would say?????tips???tricks??revision websites???

From a y12 student who almost got straight 9's at gcse (2 8s, 9 9s). Split your revision up into three main sections, learning the content, memorisation, and exam practise. There are a lot of good Youtube channels out there to help with your subjects (Mr Salles, Mr Bruff, Glow up your grades, the light up hub for English), Free Science Lessons and Miss Estruch biology, TL Maths, etc. Use flashcards or blurting to help memorisation and use spaced repetition. There are a plethora of exam practise resources available, with many past papers available on official websites but also on websites including PMT.
Here are some resources that most students don't know about, but are readily available on the internet and make a world of a difference: the specification, tells you everything you need to know for a subject and a lot of the key terminology, assessment objectives, content, etc. The examiner's report is a report written after an exam which goes through every questions and identifies where students most commonly went wrong so you can not only find out where many students go wrong to avoid making the same mistakes, also identifies "discriminator" questions really well. What I mean by discriminator questions is these questions are especially difficult and separate the top students out really well, so focus on doing especially well on these discriminator questions.
Hope this helps!

Reply 11

I'd say go through like the questions and the topics where you dropped the most marks and prioritise them majorly. Secondly, I use website which give me questions about a certain topic ie Pmt and save my exams to understand where about my weakness are and jot them down in my mistake journal to keep track of my mistakes and review them once every three to five weeks. Hope that helps but regardless, well done for getting 7-9s on ur mocks even with a few 6s here and there, I'm sure you can achieve 8s and 9s.

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