Back to School 2025: 8 genius hacks to boost grades fast

11th August 2025 by Anita Naik

Back-to-school for the 2025/26 academic year is imminent. If your child is heading towards GCSEs and A-Levels, here are eight genius hacks to help them get off to a good start as they head towards exams, University applications, mocks and more.

8 grade-boosting hacks:

1. The 15-Minute past paper hack

This is a hyper-focused strategy that helps students maximise marks in minimal time by working smarter with past papers - not just grinding through them.

How it works:

Start by picking one past paper 15-mark question (or 8-mark).

Answer under timed conditions (strict 15 mins).

Mark like an examiner (use the official mark scheme).

Spot the exact words/phrases/answers you missed.

Rewrite answers (using the key examiner terms).

This hack beats regular past paper revision by targeting a student's knowledge gaps and exam technique and teaches them to 'answer like an examiner!

Pro Tip: Do this 3 X a week with different question types to see rapid gains.

2. The Cornell note-taking hack

The Cornell note-taking hack is a game-changer for students who want to study smarter. This method—developed at Cornell University—forces active learning by splitting your page into three sections:

Main notes (right side of page) for key points.

Cues (left side of page) for recall triggers, such as questions or keywords.

Summary (at the bottom of the page) to condense the entire page into 2-3 sentences.

Unlike passive note-taking, Cornell notetaking encourages students to process information as they write, reducing revision time and boosting retention by up to 50%. By reviewing the main notes and using the cues to test understanding, this hack promotes accurate understanding over rote memorisation.

Pro-Tip: Add colour-coding for even faster review. Try it today and turn notes into a powerful revision tool!

3. The Social Media Hack

Turn social media use into a study powerhouse by following evidence-based study influencers - such as TikTok's #StudyTok for bite-sized GCSE/A-Level hacks.

Only use verified sources with blue ticks or those from examiners or teachers. Search for revision tips, past paper hacks, GCSE and A-Level summaries and how-tos.

Pro Tip: Screenshot the best tricks to import into Anki flashcards, and curate a cross-platform "Study Hacks" folder for instant access.

4. The one-page revision summary cheat sheet

Creating a single-page cheat sheet" forces students to distil complex topics into the most essential points, strengthening understanding and memory through active processing. By selecting only the key formulas, concepts, and triggers, students can train their brains to prioritise high-value information while spotting knowledge gaps. The physical act of writing and organising the sheet also boosts retention, and its concise format makes it perfect for last-minute review before exams.

Studies show that students who create summary sheets outperform peers because they engage in higher-order thinking—analysing, synthesising, and connecting ideas rather than just re-reading notes.

Pro Tip: Photograph cheat sheets and review them on devices during idle moments (bus rides, waiting in line) for effortless micro-revision!

5. Make your own flashcards

While you can buy high-quality flashcards, there's a significant benefit to students creating their own. Creating flashcards forces the brain to engage with the material actively—selecting key information, condensing it into concise points, and writing it out.

This process enhances memory encoding more effectively than passive reading or pre-made cards. Additionally, the physical act of writing enhances retention, and tailoring cards to weaker areas makes revision highly efficient.

How to create your own:

Keep it short: One question/concept per card (e.g., "What's the equation for photosynthesis?").

Use your own words: Don't copy textbooks—rephrase for deeper understanding.

Add visuals: Sketch diagrams or symbols (great for visual learners).

Mix it up: Include definitions, formulas, and example problems.

Prioritise tough cards: Mark tricky ones for extra reviews.

Pro Tip: Use free apps like Anki or Quizlet for digital flashcards with built-in spaced repetition reminders!

6. Work with a tutor

If students need help or confidence boosting within a particular subject, it pays to work with a tutor.

A good tutor can explain complex concepts in ways that identify knowledge gaps before exams and teach exact exam techniques. Unlike classroom teaching, one-on-one sessions are tailored to your pace, strengths, and goals. Students who work with tutors often experience rapid grade improvements and a deeper understanding of the subject that lasts.

Pro Tip: *Before each session, prepare 2-3 specific questions—this makes every minute with a tutor ultra-targeted!

7. Read for 15 mins every day

Just 15 minutes of focused reading every day compounds into massive academic benefits. This small but consistent habit strengthens vocabulary, improves comprehension, and builds subject knowledge over time—like a mental workout that boosts brainpower.

Daily reading trains focus, which is critical for exams and exposes students to diverse writing styles (helping with essays) and reinforces concepts through repetition.

Whether it's a textbook chapter, novel, or news article, this bite-sized routine prevents last-minute cramming by keeping knowledge fresh.

Pro Tip: Pair reading with a highlighter or quick summary note to supercharge retention. Small effort, big results!

8. Recap lessons every day

Spending just 30 minutes after school reviewing that day's lessons supercharges retention by cementing knowledge while it's still fresh. This habit prevents the "forgetting curve"—where 70% of new information fades within 24 hours—by reactivating neural pathways through quick summarising, self-quizzing, or annotating notes.

Over time, these small daily recaps compound into a deeper understanding and less pre-exam cramming, as concepts become more long-term. Additionally, this technique helps students to identify knowledge gaps early, enabling them to work on weaker areas.

Pro Tip: Use the "5-Minute Summary Challenge"— set a timer to condense each lesson's key points into bullet points. It forces focus and highlights what truly matters.