If your GCSEs are fast approaching, revision should be at the top of your to-do list. But when it comes to physics, what’s the best way to tackle it?
Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll walk you through how to revise for Physics GCSE – and what you can do to increase your chances of passing with flying colours.
Psst! Revising for GCSE Chemistry and Biology too? Head over to our dedicated GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Biology revision guides.
How to revise GCSE Physics: 12 top tips
With hard work and the right approach to revision, there’s no reason why you can’t ace your Physics GCSE.
So, where do you start?
Here are our top 12 tips on how to revise for GCSE Physics and get the highest grade possible – potentially even a 9!
1. Keep up-to-date with your physics classwork
Schoolwork might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to revision.
But keeping up with your classwork will make revision so much easier when you get down to it.
Remember, revision isn’t supposed to be about learning material from scratch – rather, it should be about refreshing the knowledge and understanding you already have.
So, make sure to concentrate, engage and participate as much as possible in your physics lessons at school – knowing that doing so will put you in the best possible place when you start your formal revision.
2. Take 10 mins after each lesson
Likewise, it’s always worth taking 10 minutes after each physics lesson to recap what you’ve learned in class.
This doesn’t have to be immediately after – rather, you could wait until the evening or even the weekend.
But it’s a small step that can make a huge amount of difference.
Basically, by going through your notes, checking you understand everything and trying out a couple of practice questions, you can refresh what you’ve learned and save yourself a lot of formal revision time later down the line.
It’s also a great way of spotting any gaps in your knowledge – giving you a chance to get some extra support in that area before you head off on study leave!
3. Start your Physics GCSE revision early
One of the best things you can do is start your Physics GCSE revision early.
Ideally, we always recommend starting at the beginning of Year 11, as this will give you a chance to refresh everything you covered in Year 10 while you continue to make your way through the rest of the syllabus.
Starting early in this way will give you time to put your knowledge into practice and will give you the best chance to feel ready before exam day.
Plus, it’ll mean you can revise little and often instead of cramming at the last-minute. In this way, you can make revision a lot less stressful, and avoid burning out.
4. Create a rock-solid revision timetable
Creating a revision timetable – and sticking to it – will help you to keep your revision on-track.
The process of creating one should look something like this:
- Check your exam schedule
- Calculate how much time you have to study
- Decide which topics you need to spend the most time on
- Allocate time to each topic
Of course, unless you’re retaking a GCSE, you’ll probably have several subjects to cover – so, make sure to take all of those into account too.
Ultimately, a detailed revision timetable will ensure you cover everything you need to before exam day rolls around – and help you to stress less, knowing that you’re where you wanted to be in your learning.
5. Cover every topic on the Physics GCSE syllabus
Knowing exactly what’s likely to come up in each Physics GCSE paper – and covering each topic in detail – will ensure you’re fully prepared and won’t come across any nasty surprises on the day.
The main topics covered tend to be:
- Energy
- Electricity
- Matter
- Motion and forces
- Waves
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Space
However, each exam board will handle things slightly differently, and each topic can be broken down into smaller sub-topics. So, go through your exam board’s specification and make sure you tick off everything they list.
But at the same time, remember that covering each topic once might not be enough – especially if you start revising early.
Instead, be sure to recap each topic again nearer to the exam date, to make sure everything is fresh in your mind.
6. Get clued up on physics formulae
One area that you should prioritise in your revision is physics formulae.
Some formulae will be given to you in the exam, whereas others you’ll need to learn. So, make sure you know the difference.
Either way, it’s important to make sure you fully understand all the formulae on the syllabus, and that you’re confident using them to answer numerical questions.
Sometimes, you’ll even need to rearrange a formula!
With all this in mind, make sure to complete plenty of formula-related practice questions. In particular, it’s important that you always show your workings out.
This is because, in 3-mark equation questions, you can gain marks from your workings out, even if you don’t have the right answer!
7. Refresh your memory on practical work
There’s no coursework element to the Physics GCSE, so you won’t get directly assessed on the practical experiments you carry out in class.
However, you will still need to recap them.
This is because you’ll come across questions in your exams that are connected to these practical experiments and skills.
With that in mind, take the time to recall important elements of your practical work in class – such as…
- Apparatus
- Measurements and units
- Plotting graphs
- Making informed conclusions
- Identifying necessary precautions
- Identifying potential hazards
- Procedures
- Limitations
Recalling these details will help you to answer questions about practical experiments and skills in the exams.
8. Ask for help
In order to reach the highest grades, you’ll need to fully understand all the topics covered – rather than just rote learning them.
With that in mind, it’s important not to struggle alone if there’s anything that you can’t quite wrap your head around.
Instead, ask for help from an expert – whether it’s your school physics teacher or a specialist tutor.
A GCSE Physics tutor is a great option if you’re preparing for your GCSE Physics exams, as they’ll give you the one-on-one attention you won’t usually get at school – and many are even trained teachers and examiners too!
They’ll be able to create tailored lesson plans that take into account your strengths, weaknesses and learning style in order to prepare you fully for the exams and guide you to the best marks possible – and will know how to explain difficult concepts in a way that will click for you.
In fact, 90% of Tutorful students improve by at least one grade!
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
9. Pinpoint the revision techniques that work for you
Every student learns differently.
So, take the time to find your learning style and to pinpoint the revision techniques that work best for you.
There are lots of different techniques to try. For instance:
- Mind maps
- Teaching someone else
- Recording your notes and listening to them on the move
- Creating flashcards
- Sticking post-it notes around your home
- Asking someone to test you
- Answering practice questions
Another useful hack can be to explain content in your own words after memorising it. This can help you to verify that you really do understand it, rather than just reciting it word for word.
Often, your ideal combination will be a mix of a few different revision techniques.
So, take some time to explore the various options and find what makes your revision most productive!
10. Explore Physics GCSE revision resources
There are lots of resources available to help you revise GCSE Physics.
A great place to start can be getting your hands on a Physics GCSE revision guide – like the ones from CGP.
But remember to prioritise what best suits your learning style.
There are so many resources out there beyond what you can find in books – including YouTube videos, podcasts, apps and websites like BBC Bitesize.
A GCSE Physics tutor will also be able to point you towards the best revision resources for your learning style.
11. Complete lots of GCSE Physics past papers and practice tests
Regardless of what kind of learner you are, we always recommend regularly completing GCSE Physics past papers and practice tests.
Remember, it’s one thing memorising the content. But it’s another thing putting it into practice in an exam setting!
Past papers, mock exams and practice tests can…
- Familiarise you with the types of questions you might come across in the real thing
- Allow you to practise managing your time
- Give you valuable practice perfecting your exam technique
- Get you used to dealing with exam pressure
- Boost your confidence for the big day
- Reveal where you’re at in your learning
Always leverage your completed test paper to work out what your strengths and weaknesses are – what went well? What went badly? Where is there the most room for improvement?
By taking the time to understand where you’re at in your learning, you can tweak your revision timetable to focus on those areas that need it most.
12. Find a balance
Last but not least, don’t burn yourself out!
Although working hard is important, it’s also important to strike a good balance between studying and downtime.
Remember, there’s only so much a brain can assimilate in a day.
Schedule in plenty of breaks, plan things to look forward to and make sure you’re eating and sleeping properly.
“I would say don’t cram, take 20 minute study sessions then take a break. Look after yourself and try to stick to regular bedtimes, no computers late at night etc.
“Get some fresh air and exercise to help with pent up energy or nerves too.”
– Katherine R, core subjects tutor
How to pass Physics GCSE: on the day
Hopefully, with the right approach to revision, you’ll be feeling positive and confident by the time exam day rolls around.
However, there are still things you can do to help make sure you pass GCSE Physics with the best grade possible.
1. Give yourself the fuel you need
Staying up late revising will usually do more harm than good.
Instead, get a good night’s sleep and have a good breakfast in the morning, to make sure you’re well-rested and energised for the day ahead.
2. Combat exam fear
Exam fear or anxiety can make it harder for you to do your best in the exam room.
Try some techniques to help you overcome exam fear – like listening to a calming playlist or giving meditation a go.
And be sure to go in with the right mindset. Remember that you’ve worked hard and can be proud of yourself, whatever the outcome.
3. Read every question more than once
Instead of rushing, make sure to read every question at least twice to avoid silly mistakes.
You can also underline key words in the question to keep you focused.
This can be especially useful when it comes to command words – for instance, is the question asking you to state the answer, to describe something, or to explain why?
4. Plan your time
In your GSCE Physics exams, you’ll usually need to answer a range of multiple-choice, structured, closed short answer and open response questions.
You’ll need to keep an eye on the clock and divide your time appropriately between them all so that you’re not running out of time towards the end.
As a guide, you should spend the most time on the questions that are worth the most marks, and vice versa.
5. Try every question
If you’re stuck on a certain question, it can be tempting to leave it out thinking that if you don’t attempt it, you won’t put down anything wrong.
But if you leave out a question, you’re guaranteed to get zero marks on it. On the other hand, if you give it a go, there’s a chance you could get it right – what have you got to lose?
Remember, in 3-mark equation questions, you can even gain marks from your workings out, despite not having the correct answer. So, it’s always worth a try!
“It is important to realise that a blank answer guarantees zero marks, whereas an attempted answer may gain some marks for working out – and worst case, zero marks, which is no worse than skipping.
“Be brave and have a go. The extra mark here and there is worth it!”
– Dee A, maths tutor
6. Stay calm!
Finally, don’t panic!
Work through both of your Physics GCSE exam papers calmly and methodically without rushing.
And remember that you’ve worked hard. So, whatever happens, you can be proud!
Head over to our guide on how to pass GCSE Science for more top tips.
Find a tutor to help you revise for Physics GCSE
If you’re worried about passing GCSE Physics – or getting the best grade possible – you don’t have to worry alone.
A GCSE Physics tutor will have the tools, knowledge and experience needed to help you achieve the grade you’re after.
From tailored plans to practice exams, they’ll give you the one-to-one attention and dedicated time you need to ensure you reach your full potential.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
How to revise effectively for GCSE Physics?
The most effective way to revise for GCSE Physics will vary from student to student. We always recommend trying a range of revision techniques to find what’s most productive for your learning style.
How to revise Physics GCSE in one day?
Ideally, you should give yourself much longer than one day to revise for your Physics GCSE. However, if you’ve left it until the last-minute, use past papers to identify your weakest areas, then focus on those.
How to get a 9 in GCSE Physics?
To get a 9 in GCSE Physics, you’ll need to not just memorise the content. Instead, you’ll need to understand it inside out, so that you can ace those ‘explain why’ questions.
A Physics GCSE tutor can give you one-on-one attention to help you reach your full potential and access the highest grades possible.
“I focus on identifying key areas where students need the most help and reinforcing their understanding with clear explanations and practice questions.
“Personalised tutoring can boost confidence and ensure students are well-prepared for their exams.”
– Steven R, GCSE Science and Maths tutor