by: Gowtham Manadath Gokulakrishnan, Secondary 4 Faith

I have just been promoted to Secondary 4 recently and have been preparing for IGCSE ever since. IGCSE, also known as the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, prepares students for more academically and organisationally demanding higher level courses, such as the A level and the AS Level programmes offered to JC1 and JC2 students. 

Today I will be sharing about the preparation that Secondary 4 students go through for IGCSE by sharing some tips:

1. We always need to create a timetable. 

There is no point in studying for hours and hours if we do not get the minimum rest needed by the human body. If we fall off in sleep then we will not have the sheer willpower to continue the studies. Don't follow other people's study schedule. Make one of your own and find something most compatible to you. 

2. Find the proper environment.  

It may be a quiet place with minimal to no disturbance or an environment with soft calming music. 

3. Always take notes. 

Notes will help us with revision but notes should not be whole essays worth pages. Take down notes and create a short and important summary on it to help conserve time and not burden your brain with many irrelevant information. 

4. Check past year papers. 

Another huge tip that has helped me the most is by doing past year papers. Past year papers help me sort of give me a feel of how the IGCSE paper will be and help me recall my past lessons. Past year papers also help us revise on lessons and help us practice more. 

5. Always make sure you have a proper rest and exercise. 

Adequate sleep helps increase our ability to focus and exercises helps us relieve stress and help make our mind calm. 

6. Do not cram your brain with information.

Students tend to cram a lot of information during the last minute. This will just make us more stressed. Always take time to study, study slowly and effectively. 

IGCSE is a big opportunity for us students and we should always aim for the top. IGCSE grades are very important for College applications.

I wish the best of luck to everyone on their exams this school year.