TO CURRENT OR FORMER YR12s and YR13s: What are some mistakes you made during your as

Hey guys, i'm going into year 12; quite anxious about gcse results but hoping for the best. I was wondering what are some tips and revision methods you would recommend? Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels? bio, chem, maths , econ or further maths

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by paracqilo

Hey guys, i'm going into year 12; quite anxious about gcse results but hoping for the best. I was wondering what are some tips and revision methods you would recommend? Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels? bio, chem, maths , econ or further maths

•

Don't study your A Levels the same way you did for GCSEs; they're different qualifications and you should treat them as such

•

What gave you marks in GCSEs won't necessarily give you marks in A Levels

•

Some subjects are required for degrees, others are not - considering when thinking about which subjects to drop

•

Do as many practice problems in past papers as you can

•

Revise regularly and do this on an ongoing basis throughout your studies

•

The successful students spend 40-60 hour weeks on their subjects

•

A Level grades will become your differentiator when applying for grad schemes; don't compromise your grades even if you don't get into your ideal uni

•

If you don't get the grades you need, spend a gap year to get what you need so you can go into the uni that you want

•

Maths require a lot of practice, and it's ideal to have covered all your content before January of the year of your exams so you have more time to revise

•

Start researching companies that you want to apply to work at the moment you have finished your A Level exams

•

Work on the areas where you have the least marks (proprotionally), because that's where you will make the most improvement to your grades

•

Don't revise by passively reading through the material; use active recall and work on past paper problems

•

When looking at model answers, have something to contrast them with so you get an idea of how to score the higher marks - analyse these, especially for essay answers

•

Use illustrations to memorise lists as opposed a list to just memorise; other memorisation techniques include storyline method, memory palace, mnemonics, acronyms, diagrams, graphs, matrices

•

When writing essays, you need to apply a lot more than regurgitating theory; analyse and use a lot of critical thinking

Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels?
I knew of a girl who did 5 A Levels (similar subjects to yours), got straight As, on top of doing a job, playing an instrument, and doing a lot of things at church. She went to Oxbridge though, so she was an exception.
Some of my classmates who did something akin to 4 A Levels managed to get part time jobs, but it really wasn't easy. What they didn't do was Chemistry and Further Maths as part of their options. These are not the easiest of subjects, and you would generally need more time to go through the material.
Yes, it's possible, but no I don't recommend it especially if you're a mere mortal and you're doing the subjects you chose.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 2

gjd800

20

My biggest issue was never turning up and barely doing any work.

Reply 3

paracqilo

OP

9

Original post by MindMax2000

•

Don't study your A Levels the same way you did for GCSEs; they're different qualifications and you should treat them as such

•

What gave you marks in GCSEs won't necessarily give you marks in A Levels

•

Some subjects are required for degrees, others are not - considering when thinking about which subjects to drop

•

Do as many practice problems in past papers as you can

•

Revise regularly and do this on an ongoing basis throughout your studies

•

The successful students spend 40-60 hour weeks on their subjects

•

A Level grades will become your differentiator when applying for grad schemes; don't compromise your grades even if you don't get into your ideal uni

•

If you don't get the grades you need, spend a gap year to get what you need so you can go into the uni that you want

•

Maths require a lot of practice, and it's ideal to have covered all your content before January of the year of your exams so you have more time to revise

•

Start researching companies that you want to apply to work at the moment you have finished your A Level exams

•

Work on the areas where you have the least marks (proprotionally), because that's where you will make the most improvement to your grades

•

Don't revise by passively reading through the material; use active recall and work on past paper problems

•

When looking at model answers, have something to contrast them with so you get an idea of how to score the higher marks - analyse these, especially for essay answers

•

Use illustrations to memorise lists as opposed a list to just memorise; other memorisation techniques include storyline method, memory palace, mnemonics, acronyms, diagrams, graphs, matrices

•

When writing essays, you need to apply a lot more than regurgitating theory; analyse and use a lot of critical thinking

Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels?
I knew of a girl who did 5 A Levels (similar subjects to yours), got straight As, on top of doing a job, playing an instrument, and doing a lot of things at church. She went to Oxbridge though, so she was an exception.
Some of my classmates who did something akin to 4 A Levels managed to get part time jobs, but it really wasn't easy. What they didn't do was Chemistry and Further Maths as part of their options. These are not the easiest of subjects, and you would generally need more time to go through the material.
Yes, it's possible, but no I don't recommend it especially if you're a mere mortal and you're doing the subjects you chose.

Furture me, i gave up on getting a job LMAO and i already know from the workload i cannot keep 4 a-levels, looking for work experience and a job but also thank you so much since i took econ, bio chem and maths ur help was very useful

Reply 4

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by paracqilo

Furture me, i gave up on getting a job LMAO and i already know from the workload i cannot keep 4 a-levels, looking for work experience and a job but also thank you so much since i took econ, bio chem and maths ur help was very useful

You're welcome.

Just out of interest, did you wanted to do maths or economics at top end unis? If so, FM would help more than economics which isn't a required subject (not even for economics degrees - except for possibly one uni in the country).

Reply 5

paracqilo

OP

9

Original post by MindMax2000

You're welcome.

Just out of interest, did you wanted to do maths or economics at top end unis? If so, FM would help more than economics which isn't a required subject (not even for economics degrees - except for possibly one uni in the country).

I was deciding between medicine and doing an economic degree - the most different degrees but i decided on medicine which is why i picked econ instead of further maths. I know i would love further (that's a lie i would be stressed everyday). At first i was considering doing econ at a top uni, we had cambridge let our school know that they know require fm for an econ. degree like many others. How's everyone going for you rn?

Reply 6

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by paracqilo

I was deciding between medicine and doing an economic degree - the most different degrees but i decided on medicine which is why i picked econ instead of further maths. I know i would love further (that's a lie i would be stressed everyday). At first i was considering doing econ at a top uni, we had cambridge let our school know that they know require fm for an econ. degree like many others. How's everyone going for you rn?

Trying to figure out whether I would absolutely need to do practical assessment for my A Level in order to do the degrees that I want to do, so I am currently waiting to hear back from the unis. It's a pain, but necessary.

Reply 7

aleisham063

11

Original post by paracqilo

Hey guys, i'm going into year 12; quite anxious about gcse results but hoping for the best. I was wondering what are some tips and revision methods you would recommend? Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels? bio, chem, maths , econ or further maths

hiii, tips and revision methods i used was blurting and flashcards (I personally think these are the way to go 100% im predicted A*A*A this year because of these methods i would say), taking 4 a-levels is optional as most universities dont really care if you took 3 or 4, taking 4 is fine but if you slack in one you should drop it and focus on the 3 :smile:

. and for your question for AS exams - i personally suggest re reading the textbooks they give you some people say its useless i thought it was extremely helpful and NEVER be afraid to ask your teachers for help!! hope you got good gcse grades bae love u x

Reply 8

Esisaxis

6

Original post by paracqilo

Hey guys, i'm going into year 12; quite anxious about gcse results but hoping for the best. I was wondering what are some tips and revision methods you would recommend? Should i get a job and will be easy to balance with 4 a-levels? bio, chem, maths , econ or further maths

I know I’m late with this post, but if you’re going to have a job, make sure you don’t work more than 10-12 hours a week. Maybe even less, if you’re going to do 4 subjects. If you feel like you’re struggling with balancing the subjects and as having to sacrifice time on one for another, you might want to drop one. No university expects 4 A-levels, and most/all of them only offer based on 3 grades anyway. So it’s better to do 3 subjects and get high grades, than it is to do 4 but have your grades suffer due to having to split your focus too much.

The revision method I use is making summary notes on the content from class, then watching videos or using another revision guide/textbook to fill in any blanks or add details if I don’t understand. Also, exam questions. If you struggle with motivation to do an entire exam paper (like me), you don’t have to do an entire paper. Just make sure you practice exam questions in timed conditions. If there’s anything in the mark schemes you didn’t know, add it into your notes and focus on that area again until you try the question again and do better on it.

Reply 9

paracqilo

OP

9

Original post by aleisham063

hiii, tips and revision methods i used was blurting and flashcards (I personally think these are the way to go 100% im predicted A*A*A this year because of these methods i would say), taking 4 a-levels is optional as most universities dont really care if you took 3 or 4, taking 4 is fine but if you slack in one you should drop it and focus on the 3 :smile:

. and for your question for AS exams - i personally suggest re reading the textbooks they give you some people say its useless i thought it was extremely helpful and NEVER be afraid to ask your teachers for help!! hope you got good gcse grades bae love u x

Wishing you the best for year 13 + a stressful time seeing all my friends in the year above working to meet deadlines. You can do it !!!! U were predicted those grades cause your teachers knew you are able to achieve them. Don't underestimate urself!!!

Reply 10

paracqilo

OP

9

Original post by Esisaxis

I know I’m late with this post, but if you’re going to have a job, make sure you don’t work more than 10-12 hours a week. Maybe even less, if you’re going to do 4 subjects. If you feel like you’re struggling with balancing the subjects and as having to sacrifice time on one for another, you might want to drop one. No university expects 4 A-levels, and most/all of them only offer based on 3 grades anyway. So it’s better to do 3 subjects and get high grades, than it is to do 4 but have your grades suffer due to having to split your focus too much.

The revision method I use is making summary notes on the content from class, then watching videos or using another revision guide/textbook to fill in any blanks or add details if I don’t understand. Also, exam questions. If you struggle with motivation to do an entire exam paper (like me), you don’t have to do an entire paper. Just make sure you practice exam questions in timed conditions. If there’s anything in the mark schemes you didn’t know, add it into your notes and focus on that area again until you try the question again and do better on it.

Thank you so much for the advice. I decided on not getting a job too. It would be too much of a hassle as i took content heavy subjects and have to do other things in school alongside my a levels. My school requires us to take 4 at as and then drop one in year 13. Again, thank you so much for the advice.

TO CURRENT OR FORMER YR12s and YR13s: What are some mistakes you made during your as

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