Physics Grade stuck at U/D/E in Year 13

Hi,
I am currently in sixth form and would like to do Computer Science in university next year. In my Year 12 Mocks I got an A* in Computer Science, A* in English, A in my EPQ but an E in Physics. I have retaken this exam multiple times and I'm unable to get over a D, despite previously working at a grade C prior to the mock exams. I have multiple Physics teachers which makes things confusing and I have never gone over any past assessments in class or at home as I am not sent the mark scheme meaning I can't learn from my mistakes or correct marking mistakes.

I do most of my learning in my own personal time and have a tutor to support me but my grade is still capped at a grade D. I have completed all AS Papers on PMT (for which I am able to get decent marks) and consistently do past paper questions and create flashcards for each module. I have also found that during Physics exams I have terrible anxiety to the point that I start shaking or am unable to read the questions.

I have tried everything I can to improve my grade but nothing seems to help, is there anything you recommend that I should do?

Reply 1

username7315759

🙂Hello, Firstly I recommend you buy yourself a textbook or revision guide. Make sure to buy one from the exam board themselves as the mark schemes are more likely to correlate to the words or phrases in the textbook. An alternative you can buy is CGP, they are also really good. Its better to first go through the topics in Physics you struggle with and make notes, flashcards and attempt doing those exam-style questions that are mainly found at the end of each chapter. Keep doing this until you mastered it. However don't neglect the topics you find easy, make sure to do plenty of practices for them until you mastered that as well
Another thing is that, its really better to make a mind map, list etc., for all the formulas and units that are needed for your A-Level physics and learn them.
If you find things confusing, don't hesitate to ask questions to your tutor or physics teacher. Make sure to use them as your resources as well.
When your confident with each topics, ensure that you pull off as many past papers as you can in EXAM CONDITIONS for better practice to relieve exam pressure and to start feeling more confident. If you have time give the predicted papers a go. I am pretty sure that they have variety of questions that might crop up. After completing them, you can mark them or just give them to your teacher to mark and ask them for feedback. If I were you, I will look at the questions I got wrong and redo them after finding out why I got them wrong in the first place. Also, do enquire about your past assessments and again don't hesitate while doing so.

Although I don't study Physics I hope that helps,

Good luck !

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

carlitagrimes

Original post by Sn04

🙂Hello, Firstly I recommend you buy yourself a textbook or revision guide. Make sure to buy one from the exam board themselves as the mark schemes are more likely to correlate to the words or phrases in the textbook. An alternative you can buy is CGP, they are also really good. Its better to first go through the topics in Physics you struggle with and make notes, flashcards and attempt doing those exam-style questions that are mainly found at the end of each chapter. Keep doing this until you mastered it. However don't neglect the topics you find easy, make sure to do plenty of practices for them until you mastered that as well
Another thing is that, its really better to make a mind map, list etc., for all the formulas and units that are needed for your A-Level physics and learn them.
If you find things confusing, don't hesitate to ask questions to your tutor or physics teacher. Make sure to use them as your resources as well.
When your confident with each topics, ensure that you pull off as many past papers as you can in EXAM CONDITIONS for better practice to relieve exam pressure and to start feeling more confident. If you have time give the predicted papers a go. I am pretty sure that they have variety of questions that might crop up. After completing them, you can mark them or just give them to your teacher to mark and ask them for feedback. If I were you, I will look at the questions I got wrong and redo them after finding out why I got them wrong in the first place. Also, do enquire about your past assessments and again don't hesitate while doing so.
Although I don't study Physics I hope that helps,
Good luck !

I already do most of the above, past papers and past paper questions, I have purchased a CGP Student Book (the expensive one) alongside the question book and have plenty of flashcards and make bright colourful posters after I complete each module and hang them on my bedroom walls so I memorise formulas while lounging around in my bedroom. This helped greatly before my Year 12 mocks as I was working at grade C.

I will try to see my teachers for more support as they never provided exam feedback/mark schemes for any exams so I don't know what I need to work on/improve