Keep It Simple (Part 2): GCSE Maths Revision
Welcome back.
Yesterday, we talked about stripping back the pressure of revision.
Today, we are applying that to the subject that causes the most anxiety for many students: Maths.
The goal is a low effort, consistent path to your GCSE Maths exams.
We aren't going to make colourful posters. We aren't going to read a textbook.
The best way to revise Maths is to do Maths.
But doing a past paper is exhausting. So, we aren't going to do a past paper.
We are going to do one question a day.
Day 1: The Setup
Go to a website like Physics & Maths Tutor or your Exam Board’s website ( Edexcel / AQA / OCR ).
Download one past paper (maybe June 2023 Paper 1).
Save it to your desktop (or print it if you prefer).
Stop. That’s it. You have prepared. Day 1 is done. Go do something else.
Day 2: The Start
Open the file. Look at Question 1.
If you don't know how to answer it: Draw a circle around it. Identify the topic. Get your video ready for tomorrow. You are done for the day.
If you can attempt it: Do it, and then mark it immediately (use the Mark Scheme from the same website).
If you got it right: Great! You are done for the day. Close the paper.
If you got it wrong: Draw a circle around the question number. You are done for the day.
Day 3: The Fork in the Road
Today, there are two paths based on what happened yesterday.
Path A: If you got yesterday's question RIGHT...
Move on to Question 2.
Mark it immediately.
Got it right? Celebrate. You're done.
Got it wrong? Draw a circle around it. You're done.
Path B: If you CIRCLED yesterday's question...
Do not start a new question.
Your job today is to fix the gap.
Watch a YouTube video.
If you have no idea what the question is asking - ask for help. Ask a teacher, a parent, or use AI to explain it.
Once you understand why you got it wrong, you are done.
Day 4 onwards: The Loop
Keep this cycle going.
Attempt a question.
Mark it.
Right? Move on tomorrow.
Wrong? Fix it tomorrow.
The Finish Line
Eventually, you will reach the end of the paper.
Congratulations! You just completed a whole Past Paper.
Take a day off to celebrate!
The Day After Celebration
Open the paper again.
Look at the questions you circled (the ones you got wrong or couldn't do the first time).
Try them again.
If you can answer them now: Your revision has worked. You fixed the gap!
If you still got it wrong: Don't panic. This is normal. It just means the video or the guide didn't quite make it click. Go and ask a human being for help. Take those specific questions to a teacher, a tutor, or a clever friend and ask them to talk you through it.
You are not alone. Ask for help.
Free Download: The Maths Rescue Pack
To make this even easier, I’ve put together a Maths Rescue Pack for you. I hope it helps.
It includes:
The Revision Flowchart: So you never forget what to do next.
The YouTube Menu: A curated list of the best YouTube teachers, so you don't waste time scrolling.
The SOS List: A template to decide now who you will ask for help later.
The Exam Paper Review: A resource you can use to review a paper once you've finished it.
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