Checking and setting new targets

The odds of hitting your target go up immediately when you aim at it!

Often beginning the task of revising, is stopped by the fear of where to start. Students can feel that there is so much to learn, so much that they don’t know, that the likelihood of achievement is impossible.

If you are feeling like this, it is important that you begin with setting small targets and remember that every building project begins with laying the first brick. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Even the Romans needed a map; a step-by-step plan that would guide them to their victory.

Identify your destination.

Ensure you have a clear target in mind and make sure that it is achievable. If you are currently working at a Grade 4, do not target a Grade 8! It is not realistic. You need to build in the steps and the skills at a realistic pace.

Use the link below to help set SMART targets.

Plan your route

Once you have set your SMART targets, you need to create a path that identifies each stepping-stone. This will help you reach each goal successfully.

  1. Chunk each topic into sub-sections – revision guides and knowledge organisers will often do this for you.
  2. RAG each subsection. You must be honest!
  3. If you cannot RAG accurately, try taking some low stakes quizzes. These can be found on the Bitesize website.
  4. From these self-assessments, rank these topics from strong to weak in terms of your knowledge recall and understanding.

Now you have a list of topics that you need to work on in order to improve your recall of key knowledge or ability to perform certain skills Make sure you are able to choose the best methods to revise and develop your attainment. If you are not sure what tasks to complete to learn each of the sections on your revision map, read the section entitled “Choosing the best methods to learn” on this web-site.

Follow the path

Once you have identified what you need to do and how you need to do it, it is essential that you see this as a short route that needs checking at the end of each road.

  1. Complete revision tasks and assess your progress
  2. Make sure you have a good understanding of assessment criteria
  3. Ask your teacher to give you feedback and respond by reviewing your work based on their advice.
  4. Compare your work with a friends, identifying strengths and weaknesses