GCSE English Last-Minute Revision: What I Wish I Knew (Diya)

Most GCSE advice comes during revision; not after it’s all over. And that means students rarely hear the honest stuff: what didn’t work, what was left too late, and what would’ve made things easier if they’d known sooner.

In this video, a former GCSE student (Diya) shares the five things she genuinely wish she’d known before exams started - from revision mistakes to mindset shifts that made a real difference in the end. It’s honest, reflective, and especially useful if you’re leaving revision late or feeling unsure where to start. Watch this before you repeat the same mistakes.

Five Things I Wish I Knew Before My GCSEs

Here are five things I genuinely wish I had known before I did my GCSEs.

1. Exams Are a Skill - You Have to Practice Them

The only real way to do well in exams is to practise exam process.

Knowing content is important, but knowing how to apply it under exam conditions is what actually gets you marks.

2. I Wish I'd Started Using Support Earlier

I started using Lightup around March or April, and it made a huge difference.

But I honestly wish I'd started earlier in the year so I had time to properly cover the whole course.

Having more time to build confidence would've made revision feel far less stressful.

3. Rewriting Notes Doesn't Really Help

I wish I'd realised sooner that rewriting notes isn't an effective revision method.

Looking back at analysis is useful, but it works much better through active recall, like flashcards and testing yourself.

That's what actually helps information stick.

4. Leaving Revision Too Late Was a Mistake

This one's probably the biggest.

I didn't really start revising properly until April or early May.

Even though I worked hard once I started, I wish I'd begun earlier so I wasn't cramming everything at the end.

5. I Wish I'd Taken It More Seriously

I also wish I'd taken GCSEs more seriously from the start.

Don't listen to people who say they're not important - they really are.

When I did start revising properly, I worked hard, and that's why my grades improved so much. I'm really proud of the results I got.

Quick Recap - GCSE Lessons Learned

Practice exam technique, not just content.
Start using support earlier, not last minute.
Use active recall instead of rewriting notes.
Don't leave revision until the last few months.
Take GCSEs seriously - it pays off.

Learning from these mistakes now can save you stress - and help you get results you're proud of.