Preparing for Your IGCSEs from China: 4 Tips to Secure Top Grades

As your IGCSE examinations draw close, make sure you start preparing like a seasoned pro. Students should treat their IGCSEs like an important academic rite of passage. If these critical exams are overlooked, students may secure poor grades that consequently affect their chances of getting accepted to a prestigious university. 

More often than not, poor IGCSE grades also result in poor A Levels grades. Unfortunately, this can take a toll on a student’s academic journey and professional career later on. 

If you’re preparing for your IGCSE examinations from China, you should have a razor-sharp focus on securing top grades. This process isn’t easy or straightforward. It requires time, energy, consistency, perseverance, resilience, diligence, and an exceptional amount of focus. 

Students who commit to their studies from the get-go enjoy excellent grades and acceptance to one of the top universities in the US, the UK, Europe, or China. 

As you start creating a study plan for your upcoming exams, make sure you start off on the right foot. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some tips to secure top grades as an IGCSE student living in China. Continue reading!

1. Get a Head Start

Many students wait until the last few months to start studying. In fact, some students also attempt to cover the syllabus in a few weeks by taking crash courses. This approach can result in extremely poor grades. Steer clear of any such strategies at all costs. 

Instead, we recommend getting a strong head start so you can consistently cover the syllabus, revise in the last two months, and clear up any confusion you may have with your teachers in advance. If you wait until it’s too late, you’ll struggle to retain knowledge. 

Think of last-minute studying like binge eating. Instead of eating consistently throughout the day, you’re consuming an excessive amount of food in one go. Your body will have trouble digesting it and you’ll most likely throw up. 

If you cram your lessons within the last few weeks, you’ll superficially consume knowledge and regurgitate it. You’ll fail to retain it and apply it as you sit your exams. 

This is a slippery slope that should be avoided from the very beginning. Create a schedule and stick to it to a tee. While some deviations are completely acceptable, make sure you don’t completely veer off course at any point. 

2. Get Rid of Distractions

Many students end up studying within the last few months because they keep getting distracted when it’s actually time to study. Continual distraction results in procrastination. This is a lethal combination. As you get distracted and start procrastinating on a daily basis, you’ll fail to study and revise like you should. 

Start by getting rid of any and every distraction that could affect your studying and revising patterns. These may be physical (e.g., your smartphone, video games, etc.) or intangible (e.g., social media). If your exams are 5+ months away, you don’t have to get rid of these distractions altogether. Simply reduce your reliance on them. However, as your exams draw close, stop relying on these distractions. 

If you’re having trouble practicing self-control, request a friend or family member to help with accountability. We also suggest getting rid of distractions from your room. For social media, consider installing an app restrictor so you can, as the name suggests, “restrict” yourself from accessing social media apps after you’ve reached a certain usage limit.

3. Always Turn to Your Teachers for Help

 

Your teachers are the best resources available to you. We recommend reaching out to them whenever you’re struggling with a topic or subtopic. You shouldn’t feel like you’re “bothering” them with your queries at any point. 

Remember, they’re there to help you. Feel free to reach out and get more clarity on any questions you may have. In addition, you can also turn to your teachers for emotional support and guidance. If you feel overwhelmed at any point, speak with them and request tips on how to navigate the pre-exam period. 

As stress, anxiety, and restlessness kick in, take appropriate measures to nip these feelings in the bud. Your teachers should be the first resource you utilise. 

4. Revise with Your Peers

 

Students who struggle with self-accountability are strongly encouraged to revise with their peers to stay on track. You can set up a Zoom call and discuss complex course topics. As you collectively help each other and work through problems, you’ll get back on track and spend your time more productively. 

Group studying works exceptionally well for students who are prone to procrastinating or falling victim to complacency. As you study/revise with your friends, you’ll cover a lot of ground that would otherwise be left uncharted until the last few weeks. If you’re great at solo studying, go ahead by all means! 

Ultimately, find what works best for you and stick to it. Welcome new approaches and experiment with different styles of studying but revert back to what works for you if the newer strategies fall flat. As you put these tips into practice, you’ll manage to prepare exceptionally well for your exams. 

Cambridge Home School is one of the best online international school that provides a quality online British education across China, including Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, and Hangzhou, among other notable cities and towns.