History - Revision

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How should I revise? and What resources should I use? 

• Learn the BIG STORY of each full topic (e.g. the Normans) first, not the detail. Create storyboards, timelines, complete knowledge tests and verbally recount the story until you can give a full overview. Use the widest range of strategies possibly to secure this knowledge. Create a range of useful reference resources for your own use throughout revision (e.g. clear visual timelines).
• Learn the big story of each sub-topic (e.g. the Norman Church). Again, do not study the detail until you have each of these committed to memory. The topic overviews give you sub-topics (e.g. American Civil War). Go through your own notes and summarise each page in a few words, highlight key points, turn this into a brief summary of each sub-topic. Listen to the podcasts on these sub-topics. Then use a range of strategies to secure this and reinforce the overviews from stage 1.
• Only when you’ve done this can you start fleshing out your understanding with more detail. DO NOT expect to learn it all: it’s impossible - the more detail you can use in your answers the better but at this stage focus on steadily building the detail over time. Use a range of strategies and do not stay on any one topic for too long. Use the widest range of relevant resources you can and keep using a range of different strategies.
• As you start to gain a more detailed understanding of topics, use the knowledge tests to identify and fill in gaps. Test yourself and others. Be honest about anything you don’t understand and make sure you ask Miss Angell or a friend until you are 100% clear. You can create your own tests targeting areas of weakness. Games (e.g. taboo), quiz apps etc can also be really useful here. 
• Finally, once you begin to feel secure in topics, practise recalling information and shaping it into exam answers. Keep up the previous 4 stages of your revision as well. Exam-style questions. Use these as practice questions to plan answers and to write full answers in exam conditions (1 or 2 minutes per mark).
• Attend revision sessions: Mondays 3-4 in B11-12.