Revision essentials

The basic kit for revising and for the exams themselves. The exam rules quoted here come from the JCQ documents that UK exam centres follow; your school or exam centre has the final say, so check its guidance too.

Scientific calculator

JCQ's Instructions for conducting examinations (section 10) say calculators are treated as standard equipment and may be used unless the exam says otherwise, and that candidates are responsible for making sure their calculator meets the rules. During an exam a calculator must not offer language translation, symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, or communication with other devices or the internet, and must not give access to information stored before the exam.

JCQ's Information for candidates: written examinations also asks you to clear the memory, put the calculator in exam mode, and remove any case or lid with printed instructions or formulae. Some papers, such as Paper 1 of GCSE Maths, do not allow a calculator at all.

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Maths geometry set

A ruler, protractor, pair of compasses and a sharp pencil are needed for constructions, angles and graphs in maths, and are useful for diagrams in science and geography.

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Black pens and a see-through pencil case

JCQ's Information for candidates says you must write in black ink, and any pencil case taken into the exam room must be see-through.

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Highlighters

Useful for picking out key words in your notes and revision guide. They are for revising only: JCQ's Information for candidates says not to use highlighters in your exam answers.

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Index cards

Write a key term or question on one side and the answer on the other, then test yourself. The key terms pages on GCSE-ready are a good source of terms to put on cards.

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English Literature set texts

Your own copy of a set text lets you annotate it as you revise. The texts below are taught on GCSE-ready; check with your teacher which ones you are studying and which edition your school uses.

Revision guides by subject · Free lessons

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