My A-Level Study Tips

Read the specification/syllabus!
Although it isn’t the most interesting read, reading the exam specifications for each of your A-Level subjects (both at the start of the year and before any major revision period) is an incredibly useful way to shape your learning. Not just will it let you know the exact topics you need to cover for that particular exam or module, but it’ll point out any accidental gaps of knowledge you might have or topics you may need to go over in greater detail. Exam specifications can typically be found on your exam board’s website – but if you’re struggling to find it, your teacher should be able to provide you with one.

Past papers, past papers, past papers!
You’ve probably heard it a million times – but practicing past paper questions can ultimately make a big difference to your exam readiness. Past papers are a great way to test what you already know, but they’re also a good opportunity to wrap your head around how your exam board words questions. (My top tip is to also read the mark scheme, especially if you’re studying an essay subject – it’s the best way to get an idea of your future examiner’s mindset and what they’re looking for in a top answer! :smile:

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Don’t leave revision to the last minute -
As much as I would have liked to, I simply didn’t have enough time to revise every subject, every single night. Instead, I always tried to start my revision two weeks prior to any major class test or mock, and slowly build up the intensity of that revision over time – for example, half an hour a night when it’s two weeks away, an hour a night when it’s one week away, and three hours the day before – and for my final A-Level exams, I started roughly three months before using the same strategy.

- but accept that everyone has their own timeline.
I remember hearing other students in my A-Level classes talk about their revision tactics – and since they always seemed far better than mine, it made me worry that I simply wasn’t doing enough. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has their own approach in terms of revision; some students prefer sporadic, intense periods of revision closer to exam times, whilst others prefer a steadier long-term revision schedule. Some students learn best with a teacher or tutor; others work well alone. Try not to compare yourself too much, and stay focused on your own goals rather than what other people are doing around you!

Eve (Kingston Rep).

Reply 1

University of Bath

Official Rep

Thanks Eve!

I would want to add one more tip to the list:

Revise as you go along
I used to stay at school for an hour to an hour and a half each day (except fridays!) to do some revision of the topics I was currently learning in my subjects. I used to start with reading the textbooks, making revision posters, making sure I had neat notes, and looking at online resources, and when I was more confident move onto past paper questions. It didn't feel like very much at the time but it amounted to four hours or so's extra revision per week. This really helped me to grow my grades - thankfully I managed to get the A in chemistry I needed for uni! Its was fun to do it with a friend too.

This made it so much easier to revise for the actual exams as I'd already have a good level of understanding and plenty of revsision resources I'd made.

Best of luck everyone!