REVIEWS: EXAM BUSTERS: Valuable Revision Tips for Key Stage 4 students

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VALUABLE REVISION TIPS FOR KEY STAGE 3 AND 4 STUDENTS

 Exam Busters is a highly-interactive, multisensory learning experience shows students how to prepare for exams by equipping them with a range of very effective learning tools and exam preparation skills. A Positively MAD bestseller, this course consistently receives very encouraging and positive reviews.

Read on to discover what schools have had to say about this event.

  A review of Positively MAD’s Exam Busters Presentation to Year 11 Students at Brooke Weston School, written by the teacher observer

 “Year 11 students who are due to sit their GCSE exams this summer got valuable revision tips  during an energetic presentation by Positively MAD, an educational training company.

The presenter, Jay Shirley,  took the students through a range of study skills, memory techniques and revision hints during the two-and-a-half hour ‘Exam-Busters’ session which built on an earlier Super Speed Study Skills workshop which took place in February.

He also ran a 45-minute session for parents, taking them through the recall process and the dos and don’ts of revision so that they can support their child’s learning at home.

Jay said: ‘Previously with the students we did study skills when we looked at mind maps whereas today we looked at memory techniques. I showed them how they can remember things for their exams by creating a mental image using a familiar place, like their bedroom.’

This technique of linking a concept to an actual physical location is used by world memory champions and is an effective way to recall a string of facts. During the sessions Jay got the students to remember the 19 countries of NATO using symbols which they mentally ‘placed’ around the lecture theatre. For instance a church bell represented Belgium while a red maple leaf helped them to remember Canada.

Jay also ran through revision techniques, which mean that students revise for half an hour, take a five minute break then re-read the previous information briefly before studying something new. This cumulative approach means that information is far more likely to be absorbed and then recalled when needed.

He also recommends that students do a quick mental review of what they have been studying before they go to bed and again when they wake up the next morning, just to reinforce the main facts.

He said: ‘Key revision techniques include not panicking … these memory and mind mapping techniques are very important because the students can use them at home and build on them as they go along. The idea is showing them that the more times they go over what they have learned then the easier it is to remember.’ ”

The Exam Busters Student Seminar is a 2½ hour presentation providing exam support to large groups of up to 150 students. Usually run twice in a day, the course is an affordable way for schools to impact entire year groups at a time. During the course, Key Stage 3 and 4 students improve learning by:

1. How MEMORY works
2. MEMORY SKILLS
3. RECALL: short-term to long-term memory
4. Effective REVISION techniques
5. Good EXAM practice
6. Dealing with STRESS 

It is not just the content that makes this course so appealing to students and teachers all over the country – it’s also because it’s presented in a style that’s pupil-friendly, entertaining and engaging.

Read what other schools have had to say about this 5 Star Course

*****

The students engaged really well and I think that the energy, enthusiasm and entertainment helped. The interactive nature of the session was really good and was helped by a confident and charismatic presenter.                       

Natalie Williams – Alder Grange Secondary School

The Key Stage 4 students left in a positive frame of mind - equipped to prepare for exams/tests etc much more than when they arrived. They described the sessions as fun, worthwhile and valuable. Thank you!                                                        

 Andrew Browne – King Alfred School

 I think the students realised how certain memory tools can have a dramatic impact on their revision. The techniques your presenter used were realistic and readily useable. Overall it was very student friendly.                                                                    

Ben Abbott - St. Martins School

Considering the students were sat on their seats for a long period of time they remained engaged for the whole session. Most participated in answering quick fire questions and were challenged to devise their own ways of remembering facts. The feedback has been positive from all those involved.

Mary Tattersall - Head of Year 10

Many thanks for excellent ‘Exambusters’ sessions delivered to all our Year 11 Students. It was extremely well received by not only the students but staff helping with supervisions as well. I am sure it will ‘make a difference’ and we are full of admiration for the energy and enthusiasm of the presenter.                                                                                                                  

Brian Roe - Assistant Head Teacher

Aimhigher works with youngsters who wouldn’t usually think that university is an option for them. The focus of the Exam Busters day is to help students get the best possible exam results. We found that the workshop raises the students’ confidence and motivation through active and fun practical sessions. By the end of the workshops, the students have real tools and techniques that work for them and they feel that exam success really is possible. We were really impressed with your efforts.                       

Neil Stock – Aimhigher Manager

We are one of the UK’s leading providers of dynamic presentations and workshops for schools. Specialising in personal development and personalised learning for students, we have delivered our courses to over 1 million students across England and Wales.

For more details, about this course, click here.