Why do so many people fail their AS exams?

can someone pls help me. I memorized the whole mark scheme. still ended up as U in alevels in science. why? what should i do?

In the sciences, especially at A2, pure recall of information constitutes less than half the questions in exams. So while it's important to learn key words and phrases in mark schemes (especially the underlined terms in biology mark schemes), you're not going to get the top grade just by memorising. You need some understanding.

That being said, I suspect that you didn't revise properly because, frankly, it's a little difficult to get a U even if you answer only half the questions on the paper - I did that in a chemistry exam last year having not revised and got a D (resat this year and brought it up to an A). You have to get out of the mindset of thinking that simple memorising will get you the top grade; it won't. You need to understand the material well enough to be able to answer the application questions.

Also, you haven't mentioned which subjects you mean by 'sciences.' :/

yes I am talking about bio, chem, physics, maths...physics was so shocking.the question was a gcse question. i answered exactly like the way mark scheme has guided. but still ended up as U!

Unfortunately, mark schemes are only a guide. They're not a definitive prediction of what will be on future mark schemes so, while learning them is useful, A-levels just cannot be aced by learning the mark scheme. Sure, it's useful to do so, but without understanding you're not getting a good grade on your science A-levels.

I maintain that it's a fault in your revision technique. There are two ways of getting a U in science A-levels - you either don't prepare at all or you prepare (and perhaps work very hard at it) but you do it in the wrong way.

I'm also not sure what you're getting at - your final mark isn't determined by your answer on a single 'gcse question' on one paper. It depends on how you do all on your exams and coursework. The fact is that you're doing something wrong if you're getting straight Us despite hard work. I'm not sure what but you need to find out if you want to improve. Perhaps focus less on the mark schemes and more on understanding the material. Will you be retaking your A-levels?

yes.. i will be retaking.. first i thouroughly read the whole book and notes- then got U. then I had cgp guides, still U. then full mark scheme memorization. but still U. dont know what's wrong withh me!

I'm currently studying at a college where lots of people are retaking their AS exams. They have good GCSE's so I was wondering what happened for them to have failed their A levels. I am aware that A levels are much more difficult than GCSE's but they can't be that bad. Is it mainly because they didn't revise enough? I was wondering if you guys could tell me your experiances as well. Thanks for any replies.

I'm currently studying at a college where lots of people are retaking their AS exams. They have good GCSE's so I was wondering what happened for them to have failed their A levels. I am aware that A levels are much more difficult than GCSE's but they can't be that bad. Is it mainly because they didn't revise enough? I was wondering if you guys could tell me your experiances as well. Thanks for any replies.

Mind me asking the name of the college? Does it begin with a 'B'

So do you guys think that even if someone didn't do well at their GCSE's it is still possible to receive good grades at AS? Personally I didn't do too well and I know that was down to laziness. Although it is a big step up especially since I didn't get A's but I enjoy my subjects and i'm determined to work muh harder. It just scares me knowing that people with better GCSE's than me failed.

I'm currently studying at Connell College. It's not my first choice but they are letting me do the courses I want despite my GCSE grades.

Oh ok cool. Wish you the best with everything.