Once you have identified areas of weakness you need to start revising them. The GeoTopics area of the site contains most of the topics you need to revise so you can use these along with your class notes to revise from. To get started you should choose a method of revision that suits you. Take a look at the teachniques below!There are a range of techniques available to gather information for revision. Here are a few examples:

Technique 1 - Revision Cards
1. Make notes on an area of study. This could involve highlighting information in a revision book or writing information out. Grade C+ students avoid copying huge chunks of text. They read the information - then summarise it.
2. Once you have gathered notes summarise your notes on revision cards - blank postcards or post-it notes are good for this. You can then stick them all around your bedroom, toilet, bathroom etc! Click here to see an example of a revision card.

3. Read your cards through regularly. Once you're confident about knowing the information write key words about the topic on a card. Then revise from these. As your knowledge base builds up you will need fewer prompts to remember information. BRAIN SCIENCE ALERT: By displaying this information and regularly reading it you will create stronger connections between the neurons in your brain which will help you retain information.

Technique 2 - Mind Maps A mind map is a spider diagram that contains information in the form of pictures and text. Mind maps can be used to plot information relevant to the different topics in geography. To find out more on mind mapping click here.

Technique 3 - Asking questions when taking notes

This technique involves you asking questions when making notes. The example below considers the main features of earthquakes.

Question cues you can use are what?, when?, why?, where?, who? and how? There are more - can you think of any?

Technique 4 - Change the form of information

Your text books contain a lot of information. Some people can read this information and remember it! If you find it hard to retain information that you read then do something with it. For example take a piece of text and transform it into a diagram.

Technique 5 - Teach It!

Another useful method of learning information is to try and teach someone else what
you have learnt.

A good method to use is to write down the key points of what has been learnt
over a set period e.g. 3 lessons and try to teach the other person, who questions
everything he or she cannot clearly understand.

Try also setting a test on what you have taught. The other person’s answers will
clarify your own thinking!

Technique 6 - What would you tell your brother?

Simplify some text about the topic you are revising and write down what you would tell someone younger than you.

Technique 7 - Condense it - 1

Read a paragraph of text and condense it into one sentence.

Technique 8 - Condense it - 2

Read a paragraph of text and identify the six most important words. Highlight them.

Technique 9 - Condense it with a friend

Complete technique 5 and/or 6 with a friend. Compare your answers and discuss your choices.

Technique 10 - Sequencing

Photocopy a paragraph of text. Cut up the sentences. Mix them up then attempt to arrange them in order.

Technique 11 - Podcasting

Use software like Audacity to create an MP3 Podcast that you can put on your MP3 player.

Technique 12 - Testing Times

Get a friend or member of your family to ask you questions.

Technique 13 - Ram Bam (Read a minute - Bullet a minute)

Technique 14 - Summary Sheets / Index Cards

• At the end of each lesson, write a summary sheet of the lesson identifying the key points and examples.

• From this then write index cards, which just consist of the key points.

• A few days later, review the index card and on a blank piece of paper write down the examples or principles the key points trigger in your memory. Compare this to your summary sheet or lesson notes.

• Order your index cards into subject groups and then prioritise. Before another lecture on the same subject, review your index cards to refresh what you have learnt.

• This reviewing helps aid your long term memory.

Technique 15 - BLANK SHEET

Choose a revision area and write for as long as you can on a blank sheet. You’ll be amazed what you remember. And it’s a revision task that makes you think. Do it in the exam room too, before you open the paper, and see how much actually turns up in the exam questions.