The Biggest Mistakes Students Make When Revising (And How to Fix Them)

Introduction

Many students spend hours revising but don’t see improvements in their grades. This can be frustrating and disheartening, especially when exams are approaching. Often, the issue isn’t a lack of effort but rather ineffective study techniques. In this blog, we’ll cover the most common revision mistakes and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Passive Revision (Just Reading Notes)

❌ The Mistake: Many students believe that reading through their notes or highlighting key points counts as revision. While this feels productive, it doesn’t truly test understanding or memory.

✅ The Fix: Use active recall. This means closing the book and trying to write down everything remembered on a topic before checking notes. Another technique is the blurting method, where students write out everything they can recall on a blank page, then compare it with their notes to identify gaps.

2. Not Using Past Papers Properly

❌ The Mistake: Some students look at past papers but don’t actually complete them. Others attempt them but fail to review their answers critically.

✅ The Fix: Complete past papers under timed conditions to simulate exam pressure. Then, compare answers with the mark scheme, identifying what was missed and writing down improvements. Students should also look at examiner reports to understand common mistakes.

3. Cramming Everything Last Minute

❌ The Mistake: Leaving revision until the last minute leads to stress and poor retention. Cramming large amounts of information overnight isn’t an effective strategy for long-term memory.

✅ The Fix: Use spaced repetition, a technique where topics are reviewed at increasing intervals (e.g., Day 1, Day 3, Day 7). This strengthens memory retention over time and reduces the need for last-minute cramming.

4. Focusing on Easy Topics Only

❌ The Mistake: It’s natural to gravitate towards subjects that feel comfortable. However, avoiding difficult topics means gaps in knowledge remain.

✅ The Fix: Use the Pomodoro technique—spend 25 minutes focused on a challenging topic, take a short break, and then switch topics. This makes tough subjects more manageable and helps build confidence.

5. Ignoring Exam Technique

❌ The Mistake: Knowing the material isn’t enough—many students lose marks because they don’t understand how to answer exam questions effectively.

✅ The Fix: Learn command words (e.g., “explain,” “evaluate,” “justify”) and practice structuring answers correctly. Looking at high-scoring model answers and understanding what makes them successful can also be beneficial.

6. Revising for Hours Without Breaks

❌ The Mistake: Some students believe that longer study sessions mean better results, leading to burnout and loss of concentration.

✅ The Fix: Use active breaks—for every 45-60 minutes of studying, take a 5-10 minute break to move around or relax. Short, consistent study sessions are more effective than long, unstructured ones.

7. Studying in an Ineffective Environment

❌ The Mistake: Revising in a distracting or unorganised space can reduce focus and efficiency.

✅ The Fix: Create a dedicated, clutter-free study space with minimal distractions. Using noise-cancelling headphones, background study music, or apps that block social media can also help.

Conclusion

Improving grades isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. By avoiding these common revision mistakes and implementing the right strategies, students can maximise their study sessions and see real improvements in their exam performance.

If your child needs structured support, our expert tutors are here to help. Contact us today to find out how we can boost their confidence and results!