Easter break is a crucial time for students preparing for exams or assessments in drama or any other subject for that matter and it can be the make-or-break time when students consolidate their knowledge in preparation for their summer exams, or not! While it’s important to rest and recharge, a little structured revision can go a long way in building confidence and improving performance. As a drama teacher, you can support your students by providing them with a clear revision strategy that keeps them engaged without overwhelming them. Here are some simple, effective ways to help your students make the most of their Easter revision time along with a downloadable GCSE Drama Revision Plan Template that you and your students can adapt as necessary.
So let’s get into the content – here are 8 simple ways to help your students this year.
1. Set clear goals
Encourage your exam students to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement. At this point of the year, most practical assessments will have been completed and coursework will have been handed in for marking and moderation. However, setting specific, achievable goals for the written exam revision will help them stay focused. You can provide a checklist of key skills or topics they should revise over the break.
Make sure all your students know what they particularly need to revise – and how they can improve their grade. For some, this may be becoming more familiar with the plays, for others it may be about the nuances of advanced critical writing. One thing is for sure, everyone will not be on the same page at this part of the year, so you will know your targets for each student to get them over their particular finish line.
2. Create a simple study plan
A structured but flexible timetable ensures students make steady progress without feeling overloaded. Encourage them to break revision into manageable chunks, dedicating time to different aspects of drama, such as:
- Staging and design aspects
- Practical rehearsal techniques
- Character analysis and characterisation (e.g. how would you act this role?)
- Understanding different roles in theatre such as the stage manager, director, lighting designer, and sound designer, and how they contribute to a production.
- Script analysis – breaking down scenes, exploring subtext, and considering actor intentions.
- Performance techniques – refining vocal projection, physicality, and audience engagement.
- Exam question practice
- Study of their set work – ensuring they understand themes, characters, and staging choices.
- Revision of their live theatre observation and critique – ensure they know the theatre company, play, author and theatre as well as key people such as the directors, main actors and designers.
Providing a revision timetable template can help students allocate time efficiently while keeping a balance between written work and practical rehearsal. We’re giving you some FREE RESOURCES that you can use at the end of this document.
Remember too, that drama will not be the only subject that they will have to revise, and you may find that others put pressure on the student for them to revise other subjects ahead of drama!! (No – really?!!)
3. Overview of drama exam paper structures
Different exam boards have slightly different formats for their drama assessments but in the written paper, which is usually around 40% of the GCSE mark. It’s important that your students understand what they can expect from the written paper and the structure varies slightly between the exam boards.
What’s assessed
- Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre
- Study of one set play from a choice set out in the exam board specification
- Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers
How it’s assessed
- Written exam: This varies from 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes depending on the exam board
- Open book – students are usually allowed to bring in a limited amount of notes but check what is allowed for your exam board
- 40% of GCSE
Questions
- The structure of questions varies slightly between exam boards but they are usually laid out in 2 or 3 sections; one section dealing with the set play and another section dealing with the live theatre review. AQA have a short separate section with simple, multiple-choice questions.
Understanding these structures can help students tailor their revision effectively. It’s also helpful to let them know a rough amount of time they should spend on each section.
4. Use active and practical revision techniques
Drama is best revised actively and you could run a session on several aspects of the written exam such as theatrical conventions, roles, and rehearsal techniques.
Here are some ideas for practical revision lessons:
- Run through some rehearsal techniques to remind students what they are and how they can be used, such as:
- hot-seating
- backstory
- improvisation
- role-on-the-wall
- thought-tracking
- given circumstances
- Watch professional performances and analyse techniques and how people have used their faces, voices and movements to enhance their characterisation – get the students to get up and copy the actors to try to recreate the character
- Rehearse key scenes and monologues from your set play to refresh their memories
- Create some fun games or quizzes to revise staging, roles and stage directions
- Use any lighting equipment you have to demonstrate the effects of different types of lighting
5. Group study & online support
Encourage students to revise together, even if it’s virtually. Setting up small study groups where students can quiz each other, share feedback, and go over your set text scenes together can keep motivation high. You can also direct them to online forums, videos, or recorded lessons that can support their revision.
Many schools offer some revision sessions during the holidays whether in school or online. You can also set up your own revision sessions after school in the run-up to the exams.
6. Make it fun & engaging
Revision doesn’t have to be boring! Gamify the experience by using:
- Drama revision bingo
- Quick-fire quiz games
- Improvisation challenges
- Mini video performances shared with peers
- Flashcards
- Interviews between students where they ask each other questions like a TV show
7. Managing stress & staying motivated
Remind students to take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and avoid burnout. Techniques such as mindfulness exercises, light physical activity, and even watching inspiring performances can keep them engaged without making them feel overwhelmed. Remember that mental health is more important than exams – really! No one wants a handful of GCSE certificates and a child who can no longer function!!
Here are some practical ways to manage stress effectively:
- Deep breathing exercises – Encourage students to practice slow, deep breaths to regulate stress levels
- Stretching and movement – Simple stretches or light physical activity like yoga can help release tension and improve focus
- Listening to calming music – Music can have a powerful effect on mood and concentration
- Journaling or free writing – Writing down thoughts can help students process their feelings and clear their minds before revising
- Time blocking – Encourage students to work in short, focused bursts (e.g., 25-30 minutes) followed by a break to recharge
- Positive affirmations – Reminding themselves of their progress and abilities can help boost confidence and reduce anxiety
- Get enough sleep – Some students can skip sleep during exams and try to cram instead – remind your students that sleep is important to help you think clearly and cramming never works!
- Thinking about future ambitions – Encourage students to reflect on their career aspirations or how drama fits into their long-term goals. Remind them that the effort they put into revision now will build their confidence and skills, whether they pursue drama professionally or use it to develop transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and creativity
And remember – this section applies to TEACHERS (that’s YOU) as well as students!!
8. Provide a drama revision booklet
In addition to the Easter Revision Planner, consider giving students a Drama Revision Booklet that consolidates key concepts and revision tips. This booklet could include:
✅ Summaries of your set text and key themes
✅ Sample exam questions with model answers
✅ Practical activities for refining performance skills
✅ Key terminology flashcards
✅ Guidance on analysing live theatre performances
Having a physical or digital booklet ensures students have all essential resources in one place, making it easier for them to stay organised and focused during their revision.
And finally…
Remember to download your free Easter GCSE Drama Revision Plan Template and your Revision Topic Checklist!
To make Easter revision even easier, we’ve created a printable Easter Drama Revision Plan Template to help students structure their study time effectively. This includes:
✅ A weekly revision schedule template that can be adapted
✅ Key topic checklists
Download your documents below;
Encourage your students to use these resources and share their progress!
And to help us keep the content coming and improve our site, tell us what your best tips are for helping drama students revise. Let us know in the comments!
Related articles
Basic acting techniques for beginners
This is such a helpful breakdown for structuring drama revision! I love the balance between active, practical techniques and stress management—both are so important. Have you found that students engage more with revision when it’s gamified, or do they tend to prefer structured study plans? Also, how do you recommend incorporating revision into a student’s schedule when other subjects often take priority? I’d love to hear more about how teachers can encourage students to stay motivated!
Hi Zachary. Thanks for your kind comments here and I’m so pleased you liked the article. To answer your questions, I do find that students like to play a game rather than just simply read the material because it engages different parts of their brain and can help them retain information. That said, with everyone being an individual, there are a few who prefer just to read the information, but I’ve found that most prefer more active learning. When it comes to fighting for our place on the schedule, this is part of the drama teachers’ never-ending work! Usually, students who like their drama don’t need persuading, but others might – again, it’s ‘horses for courses’. Teachers need to understand their students and choose things that are right for them – and that’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.
Your blog article emphasis on setting clear, individualized goals is invaluable, as it acknowledges that each student’s strengths and areas for improvement vary. By encouraging students to reflect on their personal progress and focusing on specific aspects—be it familiarizing themselves with plays or honing critical writing skills—the guidance ensures a tailored revision experience. The inclusion of a downloadable GCSE Drama Revision Plan Template further aids in structuring this personalized approach, making the revision process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Moreover, the article’s breakdown of the exam paper structures across different boards is particularly enlightening. Understanding the nuances between various exam formats allows students to strategize their revision effectively, ensuring they are well-prepared for the specific demands of their assessments. The detailed insights into what is assessed—ranging from knowledge of drama and theatre to the analysis of live theatre makers—provide a clear roadmap for students to follow.
Dear JealousLi. Thanks for your comments on this article and I’m glad you found it useful. I hope that you can use the information for yourself and your drama students to help them with their exam revision.