Descriptive vs Narrative Essays
The IGCSE English First Language exam places a strong emphasis on creative writing, with writing descriptive and narrative essays being
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A good memory is often seen as something that comes naturally, and a bad memory as something that cannot be changed, but actually there is a lot that you can do to improve your memory. However, it does mean taking responsibility and making an effort. Here are the experts’ top tips.
We all remember the things we are interested in and forget the ones that bore us. This no doubt explains the reason why schoolboys remember football results effortlessly but struggle with dates from their history lessons! Take an active interest in what you want to remember, and focus on it consciously. One way to ‘make’ yourself more interested is to ask questions ? the more the better!
Repeating things is the best way to remember things for a short time, e.g. remembering a phone number for a few seconds. ‘Chunking’ or grouping numbers helps you to remember them, e.g. the following numbers would be impossible for most of us to remember: 1492178919318483. But look at them in ‘chunks’, and it becomes much easier: 1492 1789 1931 8483.
Another way to make something more memorable is to think about something visual associated with it. Form a mental picture, and the stranger the picture the better you will remember it! If an English-speaking person studying Spanish wanted to remember the Spanish word for duck, ‘pato’, he/she could associate it with the English verb ‘to pat’ and imagine a picture of someone patting a duck on the head.
To remember long lists, try inventing a story which includes all the items you want to remember. In experiments, people were asked to remember up to 120 words using this technique and when they were tested afterwards, on average they could remember ninety percent of them!
If we organise what we know in a logical way then when we learn more about that subject we understand that better, and so add to our knowledge more easily. Make well-organized notes. Be sure things are clear in your mind. If not, ask questions until you understand!
Many experts believe that listening to classical music, especially Mozart, helps people to organise their ideas more clearly and so improves their memory. Sadly, rock music does not have the same effect!
If you do not want to lose your memory as you get older, you need to keep your brain firt, just like your body: ‘use it or lose it‘ is the experts’ advice. Logic puzzles, crosswords and mental arithmetic are all good ‘mental aerobics’.
Physical exercise is also important for your memory, because it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your brain, and that makes your memory work better. Exercise also reduces stress, which is very bad for the memory.
The old saying that ‘eating fish makes you brainy‘ may be true after all. Scientists have discovered that the fats found in fish like tuna, sardines and salmon – as well as in olive oil – help to improve the memory. Vitamins C and E (found in fruits like oranges, strawberries and red grapes) and vitamin B (found in lean meat and green vegetables) are all good ‘bran food’, too.
Caffeine may not be good for you, but like exercise, it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your brain. A cup of coffee really does help you concentrate when you sit down to study. And if you don’t like coffee, don’t worry – experts believe that chewing gum has the same effect!
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Lanja Omer
United Arab Emirates
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41 responses
hie, my name is precious.i really need some help on how to manage my study timetable ,because really am struggling alot.
Hello Precious,
Here are some tips on how to create your study timetable:
1. Work out how much time you have before each examination. You may download the exam timetable here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-exam-schedules/.
2. Draw up a study timetable and block in all activities, classes, and any household or other responsibilities you may have.
3. Estimate how many hours you think you need for each subject and try to match it with the hours available in your planner.
4. Block in some study times, preferably 2 to 4 hours, with 5 to 10 minutes break every 40 to 50 minutes.
5. Plan in detail each of your study sessions. Write down which topic you will be reviewing. This way, you can ensure that you will cover all the required information in the times you have allocated.
You might want to consider our A* Online courses here: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-revision-courses/ for your exam preparations. We also provide an exam timetable guide to help you with your schedule.
We hope you find these tips useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.
Dear Sir/Madam
1) How can I overcome anxiety and nervousness during exams?(Any tips without asking to study/practice and be serious and sincere)
2) How can I avoid silly mistakes in exams?(Any tips without asking to study/practice and be serious and sincere)
3) How can I gain self confidence?(Any tips without asking to study/practice and be serious and sincere)
4) How can I write theoritical answers in mark scheme language to get full marks in theoritical questions?( Any tips without asking to practice past papers)
5) How can I remember clearly and precisely the entire book of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, ICT and Accounting?
Hello Tameema,
First of all, we suggest that you take a deep breath and relax.
1. This article can help you on how to handle your stress: https://www.skolatis.com/how-to-handle-your-stress-when-exam-is-approaching/.
2. Read each question carefully and pay attention to the command words. The command words will often tell you what is needed in your response
3. Preparing well for the exams will help you build your confidence. You must put your mind on studying, not stressing. When you concentrate in one thing, your mind can’t think of another thing. You may want to consider our A* Revision Courses. We offer single payment courses where students can access all A* materials at once for four months. Please kindly check them here: https://www.skolatis.com/single-payment-option/
4. Practice, practice, and practice. You may also want to read the Examiner’s Report. You can study what are the needed points to gain marks. You could also learn the common mistakes candidates made during the exam. Download them here: https://www.skolatis.com/edexcel-igcse-past-exam-papers/
5. This would stress you out as you may not have enough time to go through the whole textbook. We suggest that you take all your previous practices, and go through all the common mistakes that you normally make. Read and annotate your textbook for the questions you got wrong. Then, re-do those questions you got wrong.
We wish you well with your exams!
How can I score good marks in Language Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Section B and Section C of English Language B?
Hello Tameema,
Thank you for writing in. Here are some tips for you:
Language Analysis:
– Do not select a quotation which you do not understand as you will not be able to explain either its meaning or its effect.
– You need to do more than label literary features – saying that something is a metaphor is a starting point but to show understanding of effect you need to explain why and how the author has chosen that particular image in the context of the passage.
– You need to give a full range of explained effects and link them into an overview which shows understanding of what the writer was trying to achieve in the passage as a whole.
Comparative Analysis
– Write a very brief introduction linking the two texts (for example focusing on their purpose or form).
– Your main points for contrasting and/or comparing the two texts, should be supported by details. These could include points on: tone, language choices/literary devices, structure and reader’s response.
– You need to have a very brief conclusion – this must use a key word from the question, and mention both texts.
– When you compare texts, it’s important to talk about both texts all the way through. Don’t write all about one text, then all about the other.
Section B
– For this question, you will need to put yourself into role, and address your audience directly. The opening needs to introduce clearly the situation and purpose of the task, and will be rewarded if it puts the reader in the picture.
– The recommended structure for the response will be offered in the wording of the question, and you should follow this.
– Make strong transitions between points/paragraphs e.g. ‘Yet another reason to support this proposal is…’ You need to link your ideas together logically so that if someone in real life was reading this response they would follow what you are saying step by step.
– Though you cannot make up things which are not in the passages, you should try to use your own ideas in the way that you extend those of the passages, provided that they are ‘based on the reading material’.
Section C:
– It is essential that you choose a question which you understand and which suits your writing abilities.
– Whichever type of essay you choose, it should be planned first. If after five minutes you have managed to collect only a few ideas for your choice of title, switch to another one. The plan should contain between 6 and 10 points or ideas which can be developed into paragraphs, if the essay is going to be of a suitable content and length. Aim for about 8 paragraphs and 400 words.
– Openings to compositions are important as they either engage the reader or they don’t. Try to grab your reader’s attention from the start.
– Take the opportunity to show off your range of vocabulary – find precise words to use and vary your choices.
We hope this helps.
I’m going to sit for my mock exams soon. As summer 2021 Edexcel IGCSE’s will not be held I’m going to be given predicted grades based on my mock’s results. But I have some serious problems regarding studying for IGCSE:
1) How can I overcome anxiety and nervousness during exams?
2) How can I avoid doing silly mistakes in exam?
3) How can I gain self confidence?
4) How can I answer questions according to mark scheme language in exam to score full marks in theoritical questions?
5) How can I remember clearly the entire book of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, ICT and Accounting?
Hello Tameema,
First of all, we suggest that you take a deep breath and relax.
1. This article can help you on how to handle your stress: https://www.skolatis.com/how-to-handle-your-stress-when-exam-is-approaching/.
2. Read each question carefully and pay attention to the command words. The command words will often tell you what is needed in your response
3. Preparing well for the exams will help you build your confidence. You must put your mind on studying, not stressing. When you concentrate in one thing, your mind can’t think of another thing. You may want to consider our A* Revision Courses. We offer single payment courses where students can access all A* materials at once for four months. Please kindly check them here: https://www.skolatis.com/single-payment-option/
4. Practice, practice, and practice. You may also want to read the Examiner’s Report. You can study what are the needed points to gain marks. You could also learn the common mistakes candidates made during the exam. Download them here: https://www.skolatis.com/edexcel-igcse-past-exam-papers/
5. This would stress you out as you may not have enough time to go through the whole textbook. We suggest that you take all your previous practices, and go through all the common mistakes that you normally make. Read and annotate your textbook for the questions you got wrong. Then, re-do those questions you got wrong.
We wish you well with your exams!
Hi. I am an IGCSE 1 students from Vietnam. And this Thursday I will have a mock exam. In business. But I am scared that I can’t memorize all. Could you tell me tips to study it?
Hi Andrew,
First, relax. Make sure you?re well rested before you sit for an examination. Then, do targeted revision. Revise on the most common mistakes you always seem to make. Read and annotate your textbook for the questions you got wrong. This is because you won?t have much time to go through the whole textbook. Then, re-do those questions you got wrong.
Hey! I’m a grade10 student and I’m gonna face my boards this march 2018 and my mock exams are approaching this Dec but I’m freaked out as for my boards I’m having History paper1 and Maths paper2….how do i just organise myself??? Please help me prepare for this…..
Hello Adhi,
You must first make a timetable for these 2 subjects, and make sure that you have enough time to finish the revision for both. Take small step at a time, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Hello there,I m a grade 10 student from MALDIVES.i am going to be sitting in the exam 0ct/nov 2017. I have 2 IGCSE subjects(English 0510,and maths 0580 extended). The other3 subjects are GCSE (physics5040,chemistry5070,and biology5090) I do well in English although I m expecting a A* I do need improvement in letter and article. So I m struggling with new vocabulary. As for chemistry and maths to be honest I have all my expectations down. At 8th grade maths was easy but in grade 9 and 10 I find a lot of difficulty tbh its soo hard ? . From grade 9 onwards I don?t understand the concepts in the lessons even if my teacher explains I tried looking at youtube videos also but until now I still find chemistry boring I m trying really hard to improve it but I m unable to do chemistry pastpapers even by looking at the marking scheme! I tried getting help frm friends who finished their IGCSES but until know I am failing in each exam. This site is my only hope for gods sake can you please help me !!!! as for physics I do undersatand the notes but I am unable to do the past paper as past paper questions need a lot of common sence to do n I lACK in that department. My bio teacher recently changed and the new teacher is really bad in explaining stuff so I am finding difficulty in understanding the (plant and humanreproduction chapter,inheritance chapter).the new teacher isn?t familiar with igcse she dosent know how to answer the questions. So its really hard to do past paper questions even if I refer to the marking scheme. I would love to take your revision courses but my parents refused. My classmates are very competitive in studies so they don?t explain even if I ask.Can you please respond to this message through my email ? please???? I will be very grateful. I have exam fear now also I m telling my mom that Ill fail in chem n maths. I really want to do great and be in this countries top ten awards so please help me. I have a lot of dreams for the future so please don?t let me down.
Hi Zarahilmy,
First of all, you can improve your vocabulary by learning a small number of new words every day. You can visit sites like vocabulary.com. Remember that you must practice putting your new words into your writing and speaking or risk not retaining them in your brain. Use repetition exercises when you first learn a word — and consider other learning techniques, such as index cards, recording yourself reciting your words, association games, and mnemonics – whichever works best for you.
You can also use the exam model answers (https://www.skolatis.com/igcse-exam-resources/) to improve your writing.
With Maths, Physics, and Chemistry, you?ll need a lot of practice. Start your revision as early as possible and spend at least 2 to 3 hours every day on revising. But, you have to first, RELAX. You can?t solve problems when you?re stressed. Relax your mind. By doing this, you will be able to focus more. Read this, it helps: https://www.skolatis.com/how-to-handle-your-stress-when-exam-is-approaching/
1. Learn and understand the key concepts and formulas. Familiarise/memorise the key equations/formulas (refer to the latest syllabus on what is expected: https://www.skolatis.com/cambridge-igcse-subjects-syllabuses/ ).
2. Do revision based on the latest syllabus and practice with the latest past exam papers (https://igcsecentre.com/cambridge-igcse-past-exam-papers/ ). Pay attention to the most common mistakes you always seem to make. Make notes and revise them, so you can avoid making the same mistakes in your actual exam.
Tips:
Minimize your reference checks. Try solving a problem with the formula without looking it up. You MUST do this as many times as you can. You will be able to remember the formulas/key equations better when you repeat this step.
You can also try associating the formulas with certain things you enjoy, for example, a TV show. You could also use Quizlet – it?s a fun flashcard website that turns your flashcards into games, and more. You can also use Quizlet to improve your Vocabulary.
Lastly, start your revision early. DO NOT wait until the very last minute to do your revision. Come up with a study timetable and make sure you follows them.
Hi! I’m very like this page and I want to summary it. But I don’t have much time. Can you summary ” 10 ways to improve your memory” to me? Please!!!!
Hi Sheila,
This article is actually a “Summary” 🙂
We have included only the main part. Otherwise, it would be a book! 😀
Heyy IGCSE Team,
I’ve already completed all Paper 6’s for Science IGs, and the Practical Papers for ICT. I am very worried about how I would do for the other main Papers. I have exams on 16,17,18,19 and I do not know how to prepare myself for them. Please give me some tips and suggestions on helping me do my best during those stressful days.
Thank you 🙂
-Gimani
Hi I am Ali and I just wanted to know about the recommandation before exam in any centre