Revision Links for A2

I have put together a range of useful revision materials for you here. Don't forget that there are more resources available on the sidebar at the right. If you have a specific revision question don't forget our Twitter feed @andallthatweb.

Before you do anything - 
Download the revision guide from Mr Kennett's site.

Getting Started
Remember - revision is a long term process of helping your brain to remember what you have learnt so that you can deploy it effectively in the exams. Get started ASAP!

1) Get some top tips on effective revision by reading the leaflet "Revising the Facts" OR looking at "How Your Brain Learns"

2) Once you have read the above, make a plan for how you are going to tackle revision. You can then get cracking! The resources below are all designed to help you with this.

Revising the Knowledge
There are a range of really useful resources for revising your knowledge. Try some of these:

• The best recourse for revision in your textbook or the revision guide above. Remember you can maximise remembering by doing mind-maps, timelines and flashcards and testing your memory.
• The "Meet the Historians" podcasts cover the whole time period and offer historian's interpretations of the major leaders in Soviet history. As a minimum you need to listen to the two-parter by Martin McCauley
  
• Have a read through McCauley's take on key issues connected with the course - a great way into interpretations
• Finally use the files section at the top right of this page to download useful powerpoints, notes and other relevant materials.

Practicing the Technique
The exam technique is crucial to success. The examiners will be looking for three really key things:

1. Your understanding of the question - does your answer have enough breadth?
2. Your knowledge - do you have enough depth in terms of specific and relevant knowledge?
3. Your ability to engage with the historical debate - at this level this should include some specific historians.

You may find the following resources useful:

• A generic, summary mark scheme for all questions.
• An overview of the key themes and thematic questions plans.
• Some activities on introductions and opening paragraphs.
• Some more thematic overview planning.
• Don't forget Mr Kennett's excellent essay writing super-guide as well.

Other Help
Dealing with exam nerves gives you tried and tested tips on how to overcome the exam jitters.
Basic exam skills helps to explain what key examination words mean.
Basic Revision Advice gives you Mr Walker's Top Tips for effective revision

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