Illusion of Mastery

A note from Mr Conley (founder of the site):

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At least once a week, a student who knows me will ask me, "how should I revise?" First, I ask what they are doing currently. The answer is almost exactly the same every time - they just read through their notes. They're usually just checking they recognise everything and in most cases, they say they do. It puts their mind at ease and then they stop.

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Next I ask how their tests are going and they say 'badly'. They just can't seem to remember what they need to know. Sometimes they're spending lots of time on their revision but it just doesn't help. They feel bored, struggle to concentrate on what they're looking at and often end up daydreaming while skimming the page. 

If this sounds like you - you really, really have to pay attention to this video. It's arguably the most important message I can give you about how to revise. Stop skimming your notes. It is not revision. It's actually counter-productive. 

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Amazingly, many of your parents (and even some of your teachers) may have revised for their tests like this. If they're honest, some may tell you so. That means they could have done even better or saved themselves loads of wasted revision time if they'd changed this habit.

 

If the first two paragraphs sound like you, this could be the most valuable advice you've had this year. You have to change what you're doing. Carry on to find out why...