Revision
Revision means changing something to correct or improve it, or the new version that comes out of that change, like a revised essay, contract or forecast. In British English it also means going back over what you have learned before an exam, which Americans call reviewing or studying. Good study revision is active: you test yourself instead of rereading.
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In more detail
The word comes from the Latin revisere, to look at again. Every meaning keeps that idea: you look at something a second time and change or strengthen it. Here are the senses you will meet most often.
In writing, a revision is a changed draft. Revising goes beyond fixing typos: you rework the structure, the argument and the evidence, then edit sentences and proofread last. Teachers often ask for a revision after giving feedback on a first draft.
In documents and versions, a revision is a numbered update, such as revision 3 of a contract, a drawing or a manual. Software and wikis keep a revision history so you can see who changed what and go back to an earlier version.
In business and statistics, a revision is an update to a figure or a plan. A company revises its forecast, and a government revises last quarter's growth number when better data comes in, often as an upward or downward revision.
In studying, mainly in UK English, revision is exam prep: going back over what you were taught so you can recall it in the test. Students say they are doing revision or revising for their exams. In the US the same thing is called reviewing or studying.
Why the study sense matters: an exam does not ask whether the page looks familiar. It asks you to produce the answer. Rereading notes only builds a feeling of knowing. Revision that works makes you retrieve: you close the notes, answer from memory, then check what you missed. Spread it over several short sessions, and go back to the topics you keep getting wrong.
Revise vs edit vs proofread vs review
| What you do | What changes | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revise | Rethink and rework the content | Structure, argument, ideas | Rewrite an essay after feedback |
| Edit | Improve sentences and word choice | Clarity, flow, length | Cut a paragraph to half its words |
| Proofread | Check the final text for errors | Typos, spelling, punctuation | Fix a missing comma before you submit |
| Review | Look over and judge something | Nothing yet, or your memory of it | Review a contract, or your notes before a test |
Example
"The author made several revisions before the book went to print." (writing) "Please sign revision 3 of the contract, not the first draft." (version) "The bank announced a downward revision of its growth forecast." (business) "I have two weeks of revision left before my exams." (studying, UK English)
How to use it
- 1
Cover your notes and try to write or say the answer from memory first.
- 2
Only then check what you missed, and mark it.
- 3
Turn weak spots into quiz questions or flashcards and test yourself.
- 4
Spread revision over several short sessions, not one long one.
- 5
Keep coming back to the topics you keep getting wrong.
How StudyPDF does this
Upload your slides, notes or PDFs to StudyPDF, press New material and pick flashcards, a quiz or a practice exam built from your own course. Put your exam date in the Study plan tab and you get a revision calendar over your material, with the topics you miss most coming up earlier. Bo, the tutor, answers questions from your material and cites the page. A free account is enough to start, no card.
See also
Common questions
Does revision mean change?
Usually, yes. A revision is a change made to correct or improve something, or the changed version itself. The one exception is the study sense in British English, where revision means going back over what you have learned before an exam, and what changes is how well you remember it.
What is a revision in studying?
In UK English, revision is going back over what you have learned so you can recall it in an exam. The best revision is active: cover your notes, answer from memory, then check what you missed, and spread short sessions over several days. In the US people call this reviewing or studying.
What does revising mean?
Revising means changing a text, plan or figure to improve or update it. In British English, revising for an exam means studying material you already covered. The context tells you which one is meant.
What is the difference between revising and editing?
Revising changes the content: the structure, the argument and the ideas. Editing works on the sentences: clarity, word choice and length. Writers usually revise first, then edit, then proofread for typos last.
What is the difference between revise and review?
In British English, to revise a subject means to go over it again before an exam, so for studying it overlaps with review. In writing, to revise is to change a text to improve it, while to review is to look it over and judge it without necessarily changing anything.
Put it to work on your own course
Upload your lectures and ask Bo. Cited answers, plus flashcards, exams, and more built from your material.