When Should Your Child Start Revising for Their GCSEs?

The GCSE years can be a challenging time, not only for students but for parents as well. With so much riding on these important exams, it’s natural to wonder when your child should begin revising. Start too late, and the pressure can mount. Start too early, and motivation may dwindle. So, what’s the right approach?

Year 10: Laying the Foundations

Although Year 11 is when most students begin focused revision, it’s wise to view Year 10 as the time to build strong study habits. Encourage your child to:

• Keep on top of homework and classwork.
• Review topics regularly to reinforce understanding.
• Organise their notes clearly from the start.

This approach prevents last-minute cramming and helps your child feel more confident when the real revision begins.

Autumn Term of Year 11: Begin Active Revision

By the beginning of Year 11 (around September), your child should begin revisiting topics from Year 10. This doesn’t mean hours of studying every evening, but rather setting aside time each week to revise and consolidate previous learning.

At this stage, your child can start to:

• Create subject-specific revision timetables.
• Use active recall methods like flashcards or self-quizzing.
• Identify weaker areas needing extra attention.

Mock exams often take place during the autumn or early spring term, so preparation during this period is vital.

Spring Term of Year 11: Step It Up

After the mock exams, your child should step up their revision. The spring term (January–April) is a key period for refining knowledge, practising past papers, and getting to grips with exam techniques. Revision World contains all the available past exam papers from the main exam boards.

By now, revision should be part of their daily routine, with a balance between school, revision, rest, and leisure. You can support them by:

• Helping structure their revision schedule.
• Encouraging regular breaks to avoid burnout.
• Providing a quiet, distraction-free environment for study.

Easter Holidays: The Final Push

The Easter holidays are often seen as the most intensive revision period. With exams usually beginning in May, this is the time for serious preparation. Your child should now be doing several hours of focused revision each day, with scheduled breaks and days off to stay mentally and physically healthy.

During this time:

• Encourage regular past paper practice under timed conditions.
• Make sure they’re sleeping well and eating properly.
• Offer support, but avoid adding pressure.

Avoiding Burnout

One of the biggest risks of starting revision too early or being overly intense is burnout. Help your child pace themselves, take breaks, and maintain a healthy routine. Emotional support from parents makes a big difference, sometimes just being a calm, positive presence is enough.

Final Thoughts

Every child is different. Some may need more time, others may feel confident with less. As a general rule, meaningful revision should begin at the start of Year 11, gradually increasing in intensity as the exams approach. With good planning, consistent effort, and your support, your child can approach their GCSEs with confidence and resilience.