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A* OCR A Level Biology notes
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I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
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#2
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
Thank you for the notes! What textbooks would you recommend buying? And are there any revision tips for alevel bio (OCR) as I'm quite nervous about it.
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(Original post by livelyrao)
Hey, well done on your amazing grade!
Thank you for the notes! What textbooks would you recommend buying? And are there any revision tips for alevel bio (OCR) as I'm quite nervous about it.
Hey, well done on your amazing grade!
Thank you for the notes! What textbooks would you recommend buying? And are there any revision tips for alevel bio (OCR) as I'm quite nervous about it.
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. I only got decent GCSEs because of notes other people posted, so I might as well pay it forward with my A level notes
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#6
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I personally only had the Heinemann textbooks (the AS one has a spiky thing on, the A2 has a brain on), so I'd have to recommend those, though I will admit to using them only for making notes. Personally I went through every past paper for the new spec and the most recent legacy spec and made a document full of the answers (this is in the notes so you don't have to spend time doing that) and just crammed all the answers. Also I looked at the questions and mark schemes of the papers to learn the patterns of the questions, as there are often specific buzzwords that mean to talk about specific things (i.e: most of the time when they ask about enzymes interacting with something you get a mark for talking about the enzyme-substrate complex). Reading the examiners reports is also helpful for uncovering patterns. One thing I do wish I'd done was made better flashcards, as they make memorising so much faster. So, in summary, make decent notes (or edit notes you are given to suit you), then make really good flashcards by copying and pasting those notes into the flippity flashcard templates (https://www.flippity.net) or any other online template, then use the answers to all the questions, examiners reports, and doing past papers to figure out what they want you to say in the exam to get the marks. That said, there are probably other ways to get an A*, so I shan't say that my way is the only way. Good luck
I personally only had the Heinemann textbooks (the AS one has a spiky thing on, the A2 has a brain on), so I'd have to recommend those, though I will admit to using them only for making notes. Personally I went through every past paper for the new spec and the most recent legacy spec and made a document full of the answers (this is in the notes so you don't have to spend time doing that) and just crammed all the answers. Also I looked at the questions and mark schemes of the papers to learn the patterns of the questions, as there are often specific buzzwords that mean to talk about specific things (i.e: most of the time when they ask about enzymes interacting with something you get a mark for talking about the enzyme-substrate complex). Reading the examiners reports is also helpful for uncovering patterns. One thing I do wish I'd done was made better flashcards, as they make memorising so much faster. So, in summary, make decent notes (or edit notes you are given to suit you), then make really good flashcards by copying and pasting those notes into the flippity flashcard templates (https://www.flippity.net) or any other online template, then use the answers to all the questions, examiners reports, and doing past papers to figure out what they want you to say in the exam to get the marks. That said, there are probably other ways to get an A*, so I shan't say that my way is the only way. Good luck
Also, I haven't done the best in bio in my GCSEs (it's one of my lowest grades) so would you still suggest that I take A-level Bio as many say it's hard at alevel?
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(Original post by livelyrao)
Hey, sorry for the late reply! Thank you for these amazing advices!
Also, I haven't done the best in bio in my GCSEs (it's one of my lowest grades) so would you still suggest that I take A-level Bio as many say it's hard at alevel?
Hey, sorry for the late reply! Thank you for these amazing advices!
Also, I haven't done the best in bio in my GCSEs (it's one of my lowest grades) so would you still suggest that I take A-level Bio as many say it's hard at alevel?
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#8
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
It's okay, I have been similarly slow at replying. Doing well in any A level takes a lot of time and dedication, which is much easier to put in if you like the subject matter being studied. For example, I did well in English literature at GCSE, but I found it incredibly dull and so knew not to take it at A level as I would struggle to put the work in. Therefore I would recommend working out which subjects you enjoy most and taking those. If Biology is one of those, then do take it. If it isn't, then really consider why you want to take Biology, as, if you don't like it at this level, then a career involving the subject may be ill-advised. If you like the subject and are going to work hard, then a low grade at GCSE does not matter (though it may matter to unis, so it may be a good idea to check with them). I went from getting Us in class physics tests at the start of year 10 to an A* in the real exam, so there is always room for improvement regardless of your starting grade. Good luck!
It's okay, I have been similarly slow at replying. Doing well in any A level takes a lot of time and dedication, which is much easier to put in if you like the subject matter being studied. For example, I did well in English literature at GCSE, but I found it incredibly dull and so knew not to take it at A level as I would struggle to put the work in. Therefore I would recommend working out which subjects you enjoy most and taking those. If Biology is one of those, then do take it. If it isn't, then really consider why you want to take Biology, as, if you don't like it at this level, then a career involving the subject may be ill-advised. If you like the subject and are going to work hard, then a low grade at GCSE does not matter (though it may matter to unis, so it may be a good idea to check with them). I went from getting Us in class physics tests at the start of year 10 to an A* in the real exam, so there is always room for improvement regardless of your starting grade. Good luck!
Also, did you do the spec OCR A for Biology?
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#10
I find the praticals hard and we only started and I'm finding the topics hard. I don't know what to do:/ My teacher did say this is a hard part. Like how hard does alevel biology get?
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(Original post by IsMo987)
Ohhhhh thank you soooooo much
Ohhhhh thank you soooooo much
(Original post by livelyrao)
Thank you for replying! I find the praticals hard and we only started and I'm finding the topics hard. I don't know what to do:/ My teacher did say this is a hard part. Like how hard does alevel biology get?
Thank you for replying!
I find the praticals hard and we only started and I'm finding the topics hard. I don't know what to do:/ My teacher did say this is a hard part. Like how hard does alevel biology get?
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#13
How did you revise the maths of biology? I find it the hardest particularly those that are not formula based but mostly graph based??
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#14
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
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#15
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
This may seem like a stupid question, but how does one revise using notes like these?
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#16
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
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#17
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
Just wondering, are the chemistry notes for OCR A exam board?
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#19
(Original post by Ferrous-flame)
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
I got an A*, so thought I might as well post my old notes here so others can use them: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...J9j6ifh4I/edit . This link also leads to my notes for my other two A Level subjects (OCR Chemistry, and AQA Psychology).
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