Deliberate Practice

Practice is essential. You can revise all you like but without practice, it is wasted. Start by spending time reviewing a topic/unit before quizzing/testing yourself with no notes and from your memory (this is vital for revision). Once you have finished, check your answers. This will support you in showing where your ‘knowledge gaps’ are and where focus needs to be in your future revision. Revision shouldn’t keep you in your comfort zone, you need to be thinking hard and identifying your own areas for development. Avoid simply revising topics you enjoy. A technique to support deliberate practice is the Pomodoro Technique.

Practice should be applying the knowledge and skills you need to succeed so may involve exam questions or planning answers.

Deliberate Practice ‘Do’:	Deliberate Practice ‘Don’t’:
Spend time practising what you will be tested on. Practice the areas you struggle and need to improve on. Make sure you review your practice – get a teacher to check it or review your notes and answers against mark schemes.	Use notes, the point is you are doing it from memory! Only practice areas you find easy or do well at. Spend too long on a question – stick to timing and practicing what it will look like in exam conditions.