What's the essential piece of advice you'd give to someone starting their A-levels?
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Original post by B_9710
I would say to guarantee yourself top grades you need try and work above what the specification requires. I think you need to know everything in the specification in depth (where possible) and above the A level standard. It's the only way to know that you will not be stumped by an A level question as you will be above it.
wherr can I find things above a-level standard
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Original post by Pencil Case
DO NOT do an EPQ
Why
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Original post by AdeptDz
Just look around online. What subjects are you doing?
Don't let anybody tell you that you cannot succeed.
Your GCSE results do not impact your A level results. Just because you got a B at GCSE does not automatically mean you cannot get an A* at A2.
Learn how you work best. Your success at A levels depends on the work you put in at this stage. Most teachers assume that you forgot everything over the summer anyway as they recap everything at the start of Year 12 (another tip: try not to forget everything over the summer!!
).
Your GCSE results do not impact your A level results. Just because you got a B at GCSE does not automatically mean you cannot get an A* at A2.
Learn how you work best. Your success at A levels depends on the work you put in at this stage. Most teachers assume that you forgot everything over the summer anyway as they recap everything at the start of Year 12 (another tip: try not to forget everything over the summer!!
).Original post by B_9710
Just look around online. What subjects are you doing?
Maths, Further Mathematics, Economics and Biology
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Original post by AdeptDz
For maths head over to www.madasmath.co.uk
Great for practice questions. For maths just try and read around he subject. Look at STEP perhaps, just do anything to improve your overall mathematical ability and it will really help your mathematical thinking in exams.
-When you do past papers make sure you happy with what you are getting and look to see an improvement over time. If not revise more and learn from your mistakes.
-Tick off the specification to make sure you've learnt everything and nothing should shock you.
-Try and be able to answer every question on all the past papers.. Aim for 100 so you get higher than if you aimed for like 80 or 90.
-Also once you go through past papers do questions from other papers (Solomon papers etc. Or other exam boards with the same topics) on every topic you learnt for a bit then go back to past papers when you've forgotten the answers.
-Try and do all past papers at least twice.
-Start revising from the beginning and go over what you learn in every lesson
-Go over every topic atleast 3 times
-Keep track of what you get on past papers and make sure you meet your target.
-On your second attempt on the past papers make sure you see an improvement from the first attempt and so on.
-Focus on your weaker subjects when you have got your important subjects to where you want.
-Ask the teacher for extra homework and questions.
-If there is something you don't know ask the teacher straight away, or write it down and ask at the end.
-Treat your mocks like the real thing
-Always do more than is required if you are aiming for the best (which you should be).
-Don't get frustrated if you don't get something, watch YouTube videos on it, ask your teacher then attempt some questions.
-Take your time and do not rush things, make sure you understand everything you are doing.
-it's better to understand how to do something than just know how to do it
Try and understand it and you will remember it easier.
-Never give up
-If you get bored take a break
-Don't neglect subjects
-Always think you will pass, think positively.
-Nothing is impossible, you can get straight As, if x can why can't you? Just work as hard as you need to
-What you put in, is what you get it.
-Make sure you pick right subjects, if you know what you want to do check the entry requirements.
-Find something to motivate you, dream career? Uni? Making parents proud?
-Try and want to revise, it shouldn't be something you have to do.
-Help others out if they need it, it reinforces your memory and maybe they'll help you in the future.
This is dragging so I'll end here. Hopefully you find this useful, and sorry if I repeat anything.
Good luck on your results.
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-Tick off the specification to make sure you've learnt everything and nothing should shock you.
-Try and be able to answer every question on all the past papers.. Aim for 100 so you get higher than if you aimed for like 80 or 90.
-Also once you go through past papers do questions from other papers (Solomon papers etc. Or other exam boards with the same topics) on every topic you learnt for a bit then go back to past papers when you've forgotten the answers.
-Try and do all past papers at least twice.
-Start revising from the beginning and go over what you learn in every lesson
-Go over every topic atleast 3 times
-Keep track of what you get on past papers and make sure you meet your target.
-On your second attempt on the past papers make sure you see an improvement from the first attempt and so on.
-Focus on your weaker subjects when you have got your important subjects to where you want.
-Ask the teacher for extra homework and questions.
-If there is something you don't know ask the teacher straight away, or write it down and ask at the end.
-Treat your mocks like the real thing
-Always do more than is required if you are aiming for the best (which you should be).
-Don't get frustrated if you don't get something, watch YouTube videos on it, ask your teacher then attempt some questions.
-Take your time and do not rush things, make sure you understand everything you are doing.
-it's better to understand how to do something than just know how to do it
Try and understand it and you will remember it easier.
-Never give up
-If you get bored take a break
-Don't neglect subjects
-Always think you will pass, think positively.
-Nothing is impossible, you can get straight As, if x can why can't you? Just work as hard as you need to
-What you put in, is what you get it.
-Make sure you pick right subjects, if you know what you want to do check the entry requirements.
-Find something to motivate you, dream career? Uni? Making parents proud?
-Try and want to revise, it shouldn't be something you have to do.
-Help others out if they need it, it reinforces your memory and maybe they'll help you in the future.
This is dragging so I'll end here. Hopefully you find this useful, and sorry if I repeat anything.
Good luck on your results.
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Original post by B_9710
For maths head over to www.madasmath.co.uk
Great for practice questions. For maths just try and read around he subject. Look at STEP perhaps, just do anything to improve your overall mathematical ability and it will really help your mathematical thinking in exams.
Great for practice questions. For maths just try and read around he subject. Look at STEP perhaps, just do anything to improve your overall mathematical ability and it will really help your mathematical thinking in exams.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind
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Ok here is my advice
1) dont fall behind. It is very easy to do so and you dont want to add to your stress come exam period. Make sure if you miss a lesson you catch up.
2) always keep ticking over with revisiom. For example you may learn unit 1 my december and then unit 2 after then. After december every now and then you should be ticking over unit 1 so its fresh in your mind. HOW MANY people telling me in april "oh i havemt touched unit 4 chem in 3 months i forgotnit all'. Make sure you are not one of them
3) Long term plan should be made. This means that plan what you want done by next week maybe instead of wvery day. A good example is "my next week i want to be solid in the content of kinetics and nmr"
4) be specifc in your targets. Its no good saying "ill do 2 hours of revisiom". What revsiom do you mean? A better mentality is "today ill attempt an m2 paper and do some polar equation questions from fp2" - this way you know exactly what you are doing
5) know your progress for all modules. For example i was fine in every maths module and chem u4 bit was weak in chem u5 and econ u3 and u4. Therefore i knew i needed to work more in these modules.
6) do harder questions and TOPIC question. This is important. How many times have you heard people say after an exam "oh that exam was so hard". You have to be prepared for worst case sceanario and harder questions helps your understanding. Topic questions are the boss as they help you know which topics you need to work on
7) do stuff beyond the classroom. This is so important if you want an A*. The teavhers can only guide you and teach you the content but end of the day its up to you to take resposibility. So what if you havent been taught c4?why cant you learn it at home? This way its easier to get back to it when they teach it to you
Thats all for now!!!
1) dont fall behind. It is very easy to do so and you dont want to add to your stress come exam period. Make sure if you miss a lesson you catch up.
2) always keep ticking over with revisiom. For example you may learn unit 1 my december and then unit 2 after then. After december every now and then you should be ticking over unit 1 so its fresh in your mind. HOW MANY people telling me in april "oh i havemt touched unit 4 chem in 3 months i forgotnit all'. Make sure you are not one of them
3) Long term plan should be made. This means that plan what you want done by next week maybe instead of wvery day. A good example is "my next week i want to be solid in the content of kinetics and nmr"
4) be specifc in your targets. Its no good saying "ill do 2 hours of revisiom". What revsiom do you mean? A better mentality is "today ill attempt an m2 paper and do some polar equation questions from fp2" - this way you know exactly what you are doing
5) know your progress for all modules. For example i was fine in every maths module and chem u4 bit was weak in chem u5 and econ u3 and u4. Therefore i knew i needed to work more in these modules.
6) do harder questions and TOPIC question. This is important. How many times have you heard people say after an exam "oh that exam was so hard". You have to be prepared for worst case sceanario and harder questions helps your understanding. Topic questions are the boss as they help you know which topics you need to work on
7) do stuff beyond the classroom. This is so important if you want an A*. The teavhers can only guide you and teach you the content but end of the day its up to you to take resposibility. So what if you havent been taught c4?why cant you learn it at home? This way its easier to get back to it when they teach it to you
Thats all for now!!!
Original post by AdeptDz
Good luck for the future.
Original post by B_9710
Good luck for the future.
Thanks, you too
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Original post by jaihooshmand
Working smart is more important than working hard.
THIS. No point in doing endless hours of reading a textbook or completely filling revision cards and calling that 'revision'.
Effective revision is the key, 1-2 hours of past paper questions and revision based around that, with short breaks in between are more efficient.
It lets you be more relaxed with a-levels and not stress out as much as everyone else.
Make sure you understand as you go along and keep up to date instead of leaving everything to the last minute and waiting till revision time to understand what you were taught.
Original post by The Empire Odyssey
I think the two main important things I would personally say is do not pick A-level subjects because you were good at them during your GCSEs. It will make no difference if you got an A* at Maths GCSE, but only pick A-level Maths 'cause you were simply "good at it". You need to enjoy the subject, to be able to appreciate and understand it. You will be more willing to learn about the subject if you genuinely enjoy it.
Also, don't pick A-level subjects because you've been told by your parents it's a good A-level or because they want you to do a certain degree. Don't pick it because your teachers say "you'll be good at it" and do not pick a subject just because your friend will be doing it. These are all the wrong reasons for picking your A-level subjects.
You need to really consider your future and whether the subjects you wish to study at A-level are needed for Higher Education or future employment. If you want to choose Pharmacology; then make sure you pick at least two sciences, etc. It's fun to pick subjects at the time when you enjoy them, but at the same time, you should start thinking about what career you'd want to go into and so forth.
Also, don't pick A-level subjects because you've been told by your parents it's a good A-level or because they want you to do a certain degree. Don't pick it because your teachers say "you'll be good at it" and do not pick a subject just because your friend will be doing it. These are all the wrong reasons for picking your A-level subjects.
You need to really consider your future and whether the subjects you wish to study at A-level are needed for Higher Education or future employment. If you want to choose Pharmacology; then make sure you pick at least two sciences, etc. It's fun to pick subjects at the time when you enjoy them, but at the same time, you should start thinking about what career you'd want to go into and so forth.
Couldn't have put it better myself!
And the fact that although you're probably only taking 3 subjects at A2, it may seem like easy work but it's far from it! The amount of content you'll find is probably even more than quadruple the amount of content you'd get at GCSE - and 5 times harder!
So although it is so much better studying 4x less subjects, you have to be committed and keep on top of it all
I beg of you. If you fail badly at something at AS despite GENUINLEY working hard at it DO NOT continue with it at A2. You wll be gutted and kick yourself for not continuing with the subjects you were good at to try and improve one you weren't so good at.
Original post by AdeptDz
For maths and further maths examsolutions.co.uk is THE best website for maths revision it makes a lot of sense
I have three equally important pieces:
1) Read
2) Do the homework
3) Don't forget to socialise
1) Read
2) Do the homework
3) Don't forget to socialise
The best piece of advice I can give you is this: expect to do worse than you normally would have in the past! You're going to have to accept the straight Ds for a while until you can get used to the massive workload and harder content. But it's okay. Don't cry yourself to sleep because you got one bad mark. It will all turn out fine in the end! I went from an A star student at GCSE to practically failing but I just got my AS results and I've pulled it back up to A's.Also, actually do your homework. I made the mistake of pretending to do half of it and it doesn't work out well for you.And finally, my golden nugget of information for you newbies: it's not a competition!! For a long time, I put far too much pressure on myself to keep up with everyone else. Think of it like this: GCSEs might have been all about who can collect the most A stars, but A levels are all about you and your next step in life - all you have to do is get the grades YOU need for uni, nothing more than that. Don't think because you didn't get the same as your friend, that you're suddenly a failure.If you do all this, trust me, you'll be fine 😉
My advice:
If you think that you will not do well in one of your options but are picking it because you 'like it' - drop it now. Do not take it. Seriously you will fail. (I did this for a subject and dropped it after 3 hours.)
Pick subjects that your uni course requires. Please :/
Don't pick essay subjects if you won't read the books...and also, English Literature is not that bad if you are able to interpret what you read in more ways that one (in case you were contemplating taking it)
Make notes from before the lesson has begun. Trust me, I had done this for Sociology and then during the lessons I barely paid attention at all because it was just repetition of what I already know (Don't worry, I came out with an A for AS).
Use your frees wisely. If you're like me and can't revise during frees that I have to be in school for, do homework during it or read examiner reports/look through past papers/make notes. I had done this towards the end of the year and saved all my revision for home where I work best and I had no homework or lack of notes in the way.
Buy a **** tonne of notepads from now if you're doing essay subjects. No joke.
You will hate your mocks but when exams come will be thankful for every single one.
ALWAYS aim for an A. Never aim for anything less because if you aim for a B you will probably end up with a C etc. etc.
Finally, don't be afraid to revise when nobody else is. This is one skill I had learnt towards the end of AS when I had revised during form time and had gotten so many looks and giggles as I was 'supposed to be relaxing' during that time. If you have nothing to do and feel mentally ready to learn/go over information - do it. It will benefit you and show in your results, I promise.
If you think that you will not do well in one of your options but are picking it because you 'like it' - drop it now. Do not take it. Seriously you will fail. (I did this for a subject and dropped it after 3 hours.)
Pick subjects that your uni course requires. Please :/
Don't pick essay subjects if you won't read the books...and also, English Literature is not that bad if you are able to interpret what you read in more ways that one (in case you were contemplating taking it)
Make notes from before the lesson has begun. Trust me, I had done this for Sociology and then during the lessons I barely paid attention at all because it was just repetition of what I already know (Don't worry, I came out with an A for AS).
Use your frees wisely. If you're like me and can't revise during frees that I have to be in school for, do homework during it or read examiner reports/look through past papers/make notes. I had done this towards the end of the year and saved all my revision for home where I work best and I had no homework or lack of notes in the way.
Buy a **** tonne of notepads from now if you're doing essay subjects. No joke.
You will hate your mocks but when exams come will be thankful for every single one.
ALWAYS aim for an A. Never aim for anything less because if you aim for a B you will probably end up with a C etc. etc.
Finally, don't be afraid to revise when nobody else is. This is one skill I had learnt towards the end of AS when I had revised during form time and had gotten so many looks and giggles as I was 'supposed to be relaxing' during that time. If you have nothing to do and feel mentally ready to learn/go over information - do it. It will benefit you and show in your results, I promise.
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