Below is a list of all the study guides that my students have found useful to help them to prepare for the GCSE and iGCSE English exams.
But first, some reasons why it’s worth investing in study guides:
1) they provide succinct but insightful summaries of key texts, and highlight the quotations and themes that your child needs to know. They represent an efficient way of revising a play, or novel.
2) they do the work for your child. Model annotations of poems or extracts, and example answers are often provided. If your child is not confident with annotating a text, they can ‘steal with pride’ from study guides.
3) they are generally priced very keenly. Investing in a few of these is not going to break the bank.
4) they provide active learning opportunities. Many have a section of practice questions and a glossary of words your child needs to know.
5) Schools advocate their use. Many even provide copies at discount prices, because they buy in bulk (so do check with your child’s school before investing). English departments often provide their own revision booklets in the spring term of year 11, but it’s best if your child has started to refine their knowledge long before this. Using a study guide to support homework is a good way of getting used to using them.
N.B. If you are a home-schooling parent, it may not be a study/revision guide that you need. If you want the ‘whole’ experience and structured teaching that a classroom teacher would provide, I’d suggest a GCSE Student’s Book and workbook. The publishers I suggest below also offer these
My top picks for GCSE
CGP guides.
These are ‘no frills’ in terms of quality of print/materials, but very rich in content and competitively priced. I love the annotations of poetry anthologies in particular.
Useful both for GCSE English language and literature, I really like the way these are divided up. For Shakespeare texts, for example, the first section makes sure that a student understands the text’s plot. The second section goes into detailed analysis, but by this time, the student’s knowledge of the basic is solid. It makes sense. There’s even a digital version if you’d prefer.
Light on visuals, and in weight, it’s easy to think these are light on content. Not so. These are really well-laid out and interactive and they come with video support as well.
Best guides for iGCSE
All skills required by the iGCSE English language exam are the same as those in GCSE, so the English language guides above would not be irrelevant. However, if you want guides which refer specifically to iGCSE and the paper’s layout, here are some.
Cambridge IGCSE
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Study and Revision Guide 3rd Edition
Now in its third iteration, Hodder Education’s Guide helps students to avoid common errors, and provides student example student answers and structured feedback on how to gain full marks. It aims to provide targeted revision, helping students to prioritise key concepts and skills.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Exam Preparation and Practice
This has very high credibility, given that it’s published by Cambridge University Press, which is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment, one of the exam boards for iGCSE. It’s most suitable, I feel, for students who are near to their exams, because it is essentially an exam practice book, but provides plenty of sample responses as well as invaluable examiner grades and comments.
Letts Cambridge IGCSE English
Collins publishes English Language revision guides for students whose first language is English as well as one for those who are studying iGCSE English as a second language. These are popular guides and are user-friendly. Text is organised in manageable sections and there are skills builder activities.
Cambridge iGCSE and O level Literature in English Coursebook: 2nd Edition
It makes sense for Cambridge University Press and Assessment to publish a coursebook for its own exam. This is a book which provides ‘full support’ for the exam, and is designed to be used in the classroom, rather than a revision guide. Arguably, it requires a teacher or tutor to make it fully accessible to students. It helps students to study literature texts closely and to write critical essays informed by personal response.
Edexcel iGCSE
CGP New Edexcel International GCSE English Language
I don’t have personal experience of this, but the reviews are great. If it’s as accessible and lively as the GCSE guides, CGP is onto a winner.
Edexcel Language and Literature
Unsurprisingly, Pearson publishes most of the materials for its awarding organisation. The anthology of texts itself is free to download, and Pearson will supply free hard copies of it in advance, which is great. Both language and literature books are available, but these are not so much revision guides as complete student’s books, intended to be used in class. For revision of specific literature text, a student might have to rely on a GCSE text specific guide such as the ones suggested above.
So there you have it. Personally, I think there might be a gap in the market for some iGCSE Literature revision guides, but what do you think? Which one will you choose? Or perhaps you use a study guide which isn’t listed here? Do get in touch and let me know what you think of it.
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help your child to succeed in their English GCSEs or iGCSEs.
1. Book a free customised learning session
Thinking about working with a fully qualified, experienced teacher, who can help your child to map out a path to success in their English GCSEs or iGCSEs?
BOOK YOUR 20 MINUTE CUSTOMISED LEARNING SESSIONHERE
If you’d like to see the range of services I offer before we chat, just check these out here.
2. Sign up for your child to work with me closely in my 12 week ‘Advance your English language’ programme.
If you’d like your child to work directly with me to improve their English language skills and to receive plenty of personalized feedback along the way, to help them to transform their predicted grades, you can enrol your child on the course HERE. This is for child if they:
- Are not getting the feedback they need on their English work.
- Are serious and motivated to do extra work every week to get them the grades that you know they can achieve.
p.s. if you’re wondering how the ‘Advance your English language programme works, check out this video where I share the structure I use: CLICK HERE >> Advance your English language programme
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