The single best choice that IGCSE students can make to streamline their studies is to use an official revision guide as their primary source of study material. Lesson slides or notes from a class teacher can lack content, structure and organisation. Full subject textbooks can feel overwhelming and are often difficult to summarise. Put these inferior options aside and focus on using solid revision guides.
In this article we will present LearnFire's top revision guides for:
Revision guides published by reputable publishers offer a summary of the entire syllabus for any given subject. Often, revision guides are written by the original author of the full syllabus text book. This means that revision guides provide a reliable and succinct reference of all the course content. Nothing more, nothing less.
Did you know that the average subject textbook can have 300-400 pages. The average revision guide has about 100 pages. What would you prefer your child study?
Are you or your child feeling overwhelmed by the upcoming International GCSEs? Don't sweat it! IGCSE Revision guides can be your secret weapon, offering targeted support that boosts your child's confidence.
While using any official revision guide is a step in the right direction, it's even better if you can make sure that your child is using the best revision guides for each subject. Here's a comprehensive list of our top picks to help you navigate the maze and emerge victorious.
TOP IGCSE REVISION GUIDES FOR STUDENTS STUDYING THE CAMBRIDGE CIE EXAM BOARD CURRICULUM
Cambridge CIE IGCSE Subject | Curriculum Codes / Syllabus Codes / Subject Codes | Link to IGCSE Revision Guides Shipped From Within the European Union |
Biology | 0610 0970 | |
Business Studies | 0450 0986 7115 | |
Chemistry | 0620 0971 | |
Computer Science | 0478 0984 2210 | |
English First Language | 0500 0990 | |
Geography | 0460 2217 | |
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) | 0417 0983 | |
Maths Core + Maths Extended | 0580 0980 | |
Physics | 0625 0972 |
TOP IGCSE REVISION GUIDES FOR STUDENTS STUDYING THE PEARSON EDEXCEL EXAM BOARD CURRICULUM
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Subject | Curriculum Codes / Syllabus Codes / Subject Codes | Link to IGCSE Revision Guides Shipped From Within the European Union |
Biology | 4BI1 | |
Chemistry | 4CH1 | |
Computer Science | 4CP0 | |
English Language A + English Literature | 4EA1 4ET1 | |
Geography | 4GE1 | |
History | 4HI1 | |
Mathematics A | 4MA1 | |
Physics | 4PH1 |
Why do some teachers object to using revision guides and what does LearnFire have to say about it?
Some teachers may recommend that students avoid revision guides. Here are the top three objections we regularly come across.
Teacher Objection | LearnFire Response |
"Revision guides don't go into enough detail." | Save the detail for the classroom. When it comes to studying large volumes of content across multiple subject, efficiency wins every time. If students are able to use revision guides to achieve the top possible grade, there is no reason to go further. |
"Revision guides leave out content." | Official revision guides cover 100% of the necessary subject content. If something has been left out it's becasue it's not necessary. |
"Revision guides don't focus on helping students to understand the content, they just provide content that should be memorised." | Understanding subject content is an important step in the learning process. However, memorising key content is always going to be necessary. If students do not have access to summarised material, then the memorisation process is significantly more challenging. When was the last time you could give the equation for photosynthesis without first memorising it? |
Top 5 reasons IGCSE students should be studying from a revision guide (or study guide) instead of a text book
Studying from an IGCSE revision guide offers several advantages over a full textbook. Here are five reasons why students might find IGCSE study guides ultra useful:
Concise Content: Revision guides typically condense information into concise summaries. This is good because when students need to review large amounts of material, especially before exams or assessments, they can do so efficiently.
Clarity and Simplification: Revision guides often present complex topics in a simplified manner. This makes these topics easier to understand and remember. By breaking down information into manageable chunks, students can grasp fundamental concepts seamlessly.
Exam Focus: Revision guides are usually designed with exams in mind, providing targeted information that aligns closely with exam requirements. This focus can help students to prioritize key concepts and concentrate on the most relevant topics for assessment success. This includes focusing on topics that appear more frequently in exams.
Structured Revision: Many revision guides offer structured organized chapters that guide students through the revision process from A to Z. This structure can help students stay organized, track their progress, and helps to insure progress when time is limited.
Quick Reference: Revision guides serve as handy reference materials that students can easily consult when they need to review specific concepts or refresh their understanding of a topic. This will happen frequently when your child is using past paper questions to test their knowledge. Each time they arrive to a question they are unable to do, their quickest and easiest point of reference will be their revision guide.
Top 5 reasons IGCSE students should be studying from a revision guide (or study guide) instead of their teacher's notes or slides
Studying from a revision guide is a lot more reliable than studying from slides or notes from the teacher. Here are five reasons why students might find revision guides beneficial:
Full Subject Coverage: Revision guides cover 100% of a subject, condensing information from multiple sources into a single, cohesive resource. Slides or notes from the teacher may only focus on specific topics discussed in class and may lack content.
Structured Subject Coverage: Revision guides are typically organized in a structured manner, with topics arranged sequentially. This organization makes it easier for students to follow a clear learning path. In contrast, notes from the teacher may lack this structured approach (and can even present as disorganised). This requires students to spend more time organizing and synthesizing the information themselves. For weaker students, this can spell disaster.
Independent Subject Coverage: Revision guides empower students to engage in independent study outside of the classroom. It doesn't matter if you have a good teacher or a bad teacher. A revision guide allows you to students to self study independent of their teacher. This flexibility helps students to take ownership of their learning to reinforce their understanding of the material.
Consolidated Subject Coverage: Consolidated revision guides help students streamline their study efforts and avoid feeling overwhelmed by excessive detail. In contrast, slides or notes from the teacher may contain more extensive information (or may lack information entirely. This requires students to sift through extraneous material to identify the most important concepts which is time consuming and often impossible.
Exam Preparation: Revision guides are designed to support exam preparation. By studying from a revision guide, students can ensure they are focusing on the most relevant topics. While slides or notes from the teacher may provide valuable insights from class discussions, revision guides offer a more focused and exam-oriented approach to studying.
Finding the Perfect Guide
Different revision guides cater to various learning styles. In this list we have selected LearnFire's recommended revision guides based on our own internal criteria. In general, when choosing a revision guide you like, keep in mind that some offer concise summaries and bullet points, ideal for visual learners who benefit from clear diagrams and flowcharts. Others provide in-depth explanations, perfect for those who prefer a more comprehensive approach.
Remember, revision guides are powerful tools when used effectively. By employing these strategies and tailoring your approach to your learning style, you'll be well on your way to IGCSE success!
Would you like to know which calculator is the best calculator for IGCSE student? Take a look at our Top 5 IGCSE Calculators.
Go Beyond The Guides: Sharpen Your Study Focus
Using revision guides to help you study is a great first step to IGCSE success. However it's also important to optimise the way you study to get the most out of your time. Here are a few bonus tips to help you on your way.
Diagnose Your Weaknesses:
Before diving into revision guides, take some practice exams or quizzes to identify your knowledge gaps. Focus your guide use on these specific areas for maximum impact. Many revision guides excel at breaking down complex topics into clear, manageable sections, making them ideal for targeted revision.
Active Learning is Key Learning:
Go Beyond Passive Reading: Treat revision guides as springboards for active learning. Don't just passively read the material. Annotate, summarise key points in your own words, and create mind maps to solidify your understanding.
Harness the Power of Practice:
Most revision guides are packed with practice questions, past paper exercises, and exam-style questions. Put your knowledge to the test regularly to identify areas that need further attention and develop your exam technique. Analyse your mistakes – understanding why you got something wrong is crucial for long-term learning.
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