Is Your Year 11 Exam-Ready? Free 20-Point GCSE Readiness Check

7 days ago

2 min read

This quick check is designed for Year 11 pupils and parents. Give one point for every statement that is genuinely true now, not something you intend to start doing later.

The 20-point check

I know the exam board for each of my GCSE subjects.
I know which papers I will sit and roughly what each paper tests.
I have a realistic weekly revision routine.
My revision timetable includes breaks and days off.
I spend more time on weak areas than on topics I already enjoy.
I regularly retrieve information from memory rather than only rereading notes.
I complete exam-style questions every week.
I mark or check those questions carefully.
I keep a record of repeated mistakes.
I revisit mistakes after a few days rather than simply moving on.
I can identify my weakest three topics in English or Maths.
I can explain what examiners are looking for in the main question types.
I practise under timed conditions sometimes.
I know approximately how long to spend on major questions.
I can start a difficult question without waiting for someone to tell me exactly what to do.
I have useful revision resources organised in one place.
I sleep reasonably consistently on school nights.
I know what I will revise this week, rather than deciding at the last minute.
I can name at least one concrete improvement I have made since my last assessment.
If I get stuck, I know the next specific action to take.

Your score

16–20: strong foundations. Your priority is now quality, timing and increasingly demanding exam practice.
11–15: broadly on track, but several gaps are probably reducing the value of your revision. Fix the lowest-scoring areas first.
6–10: revision may be happening, but it is not yet systematic enough. Build a simple routine around retrieval, exam questions and error correction.
0–5: simplify. Do not create an elaborate timetable. Start with a small number of high-value habits and make them consistent.