The Student Room Group

Getting from a C to an A* in 4 months

Hi guys,
I am a year 12 student taking biology, chemistry and maths. I recently got my mock results back and I did terribly. I really need to get A*s but I struggle to revise so I will be posting here everyday to hold myself accountable and to also motivate you guys as well.

Reply 1

Original post by mjuuugd
Hi guys,
I am a year 12 student taking biology, chemistry and maths. I recently got my mock results back and I did terribly. I really need to get A*s but I struggle to revise so I will be posting here everyday to hold myself accountable and to also motivate you guys as well.
Which examboards? International? or Home?

Reply 2

I am doing it in the UK
My exam boards are:
Maths - OCR mei
Biology - AQA
Chemistry - AQA

Reply 3

Original post by mjuuugd
I am doing it in the UK
My exam boards are:
Maths - OCR mei
Biology - AQA
Chemistry - AQA


Hi so I just sat my a levels this summer and i did bio chem and econ. I can’t help you for maths but for bio and chem my main advice is:

1) KNOW YOUR CONTENT INSIDE OUT
2) find your areas of strength and weakness.
3) complete as much AS topics questions as you can.
4) complete all of the AS past papers under timed condition. if possible for eg if your exam is 1hr 30 do it in 1hr 10 or 1hr 20.
5) your gonna mark as strictly as possible and recognise marks DROPPED.

1) what this will do is basically overcome your first barrier to you not getting the A-A*. because you can do so much past papers but if you don’t know your content there’s no point.
2) now for bio I have a topic list where your able to rag. Essentially highlight using a key ( red for worst topic etc ) then this will allow you to hone in on those topics. watch lots of videos. i recommend miss estruch for bio and for chem I recommend allery chemistry.
3) helpful for chem especially because you want more exam practice for chem. it’s very repetitive all the exam questions. For bio and chem what you wanna do is after you understand your weakness, DO QUESTIONS ON THOSE TOPICS.
4) help you with your exam timings.
5) this will allow you to make sure that your nailing those similar questions which can appear agin.

I know you can do this. You just need to put in A LOT of effort this summer. Go over everything and continue to work hard. I was in a similar position to you. If you have any more questions do lmk and so you can message me on study TikTok @inteuu3. Best of luck for you next summer. You can do this ❤️

Reply 4

Go and talk to the relevant teachers before the end of term and ask for their help and advice - thats what they are there for, and they will want to help you.

Reply 5

Original post by lacouile
Hi so I just sat my a levels this summer and i did bio chem and econ. I can’t help you for maths but for bio and chem my main advice is:
1) KNOW YOUR CONTENT INSIDE OUT
2) find your areas of strength and weakness.
3) complete as much AS topics questions as you can.
4) complete all of the AS past papers under timed condition. if possible for eg if your exam is 1hr 30 do it in 1hr 10 or 1hr 20.
5) your gonna mark as strictly as possible and recognise marks DROPPED.
1) what this will do is basically overcome your first barrier to you not getting the A-A*. because you can do so much past papers but if you don’t know your content there’s no point.
2) now for bio I have a topic list where your able to rag. Essentially highlight using a key ( red for worst topic etc ) then this will allow you to hone in on those topics. watch lots of videos. i recommend miss estruch for bio and for chem I recommend allery chemistry.
3) helpful for chem especially because you want more exam practice for chem. it’s very repetitive all the exam questions. For bio and chem what you wanna do is after you understand your weakness, DO QUESTIONS ON THOSE TOPICS.
4) help you with your exam timings.
5) this will allow you to make sure that your nailing those similar questions which can appear agin.
I know you can do this. You just need to put in A LOT of effort this summer. Go over everything and continue to work hard. I was in a similar position to you. If you have any more questions do lmk and so you can message me on study TikTok @inteuu3. Best of luck for you next summer. You can do this ❤️

hi , sorry for the late reply
thank you so much for the tips, I will put them into practice. also could I have the rag checklist for biology.

Reply 6

Original post by mjuuugd
hi , sorry for the late reply
thank you so much for the tips, I will put them into practice. also could I have the rag checklist for biology.


hi ofc if you can message me on here or if not then message me on tiktokk @inteuu3

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