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A level revision resources worth the money?

Revising A level Physics, Biology and Math, been looking into Cognito, Snaprevise and alevelbiology.co.uk

Anyone have any experience with these and whether they're worth the money?

Reply 1

I never paid for anything (besides notebooks) for my a levels and thankfully got an A* in physics and Math. I just used free resources online. For physics I used tutorpacks.com and Science Shorts on YouTube. For maths I only used exam solutions and did loads of questions from the text book. This was of course backed by doing past papers.

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
I never paid for anything (besides notebooks) for my a levels and thankfully got an A* in physics and Math. I just used free resources online. For physics I used tutorpacks.com and Science Shorts on YouTube. For maths I only used exam solutions and did loads of questions from the text book. This was of course backed by doing past papers.

Thank you for the recommendations! I desperately want to get A*'s but I'm just worried that I won't revise well enough so just looking into options. I'm the type where just reading something doesn't stick, so I need to actively use the information, for example with mathematics I bought extra books that have some practice questions but I've run out already haha. With the sciences I'm just worried running through the same past paper questions over and over won't make me feel confident that I've learned the material well and I'm not just remembering the answer from before. I may well just be overly anxious though!

Reply 3

Original post
by Aikandey
Revising A level Physics, Biology and Math, been looking into Cognito, Snaprevise and alevelbiology.co.uk
Anyone have any experience with these and whether they're worth the money?

I’m predicted an A* in biology and I don’t use any paid resources, I just use Miss estruch and PMT flashcards for the practicals + Past papers Questions (+modify my notes using the markscheme, I also use the channel A level biology help on youtube and my Teacher makes yt videos for my class (Dr dr biology) however he doesn’t do videos on all the content,

There’s plenty of free resources online, also for save my exams if you go on it on incognito mode you don’t have to pay 😏

Reply 4

Original post
by Aikandey
Thank you for the recommendations! I desperately want to get A*'s but I'm just worried that I won't revise well enough so just looking into options. I'm the type where just reading something doesn't stick, so I need to actively use the information, for example with mathematics I bought extra books that have some practice questions but I've run out already haha. With the sciences I'm just worried running through the same past paper questions over and over won't make me feel confident that I've learned the material well and I'm not just remembering the answer from before. I may well just be overly anxious though!


Makes sense. Try those free resources anyways because there is no harm but yeah hopefully someone comes back to you ☺️. Just stay consistent and positive, I’m sure you’ll do a great job.

Reply 5

Original post
by Anonymous
I’m predicted an A* in biology and I don’t use any paid resources, I just use Miss estruch and PMT flashcards for the practicals + Past papers Questions (+modify my notes using the markscheme, I also use the channel A level biology help on youtube and my Teacher makes yt videos for my class (Dr dr biology) however he doesn’t do videos on all the content,
There’s plenty of free resources online, also for save my exams if you go on it on incognito mode you don’t have to pay 😏

Aww thank you so much for the tips and channel recs, I really appreciate it! I'm actually familiar with Miss Estruch and watch her content too! I'll definitely be sure to check out your teachers videos, he must be great if you're vouching for him while predicted A* 🤗 I'm floored by how helpful people are on here, it's so sweet. I wish you all the luck for the actual exams though it sounds that you don't need it 😂

Reply 6

Original post
by Anonymous
Makes sense. Try those free resources anyways because there is no harm but yeah hopefully someone comes back to you ☺️. Just stay consistent and positive, I’m sure you’ll do a great job.

Aww thank you so much 🥰 I'll definitely be giving those recommendations a try!

Reply 7

Original post
by Aikandey
Aww thank you so much 🥰 I'll definitely be giving those recommendations a try!

Which board is your Maths?

Reply 8

Original post
by Muttley79
Which board is your Maths?

EDEXCEL is the default option I am given, though I can switch. I have considered other boards but as far as my research has shown Universities don't favour any particular board since they're all OFQUAL regulated anyway, so I saw no reason to switch to OCR/CIE/AQA/WJEC

Reply 9

Original post
by Aikandey
Thank you for the recommendations! I desperately want to get A*'s but I'm just worried that I won't revise well enough so just looking into options. I'm the type where just reading something doesn't stick, so I need to actively use the information, for example with mathematics I bought extra books that have some practice questions but I've run out already haha. With the sciences I'm just worried running through the same past paper questions over and over won't make me feel confident that I've learned the material well and I'm not just remembering the answer from before. I may well just be overly anxious though!

For maths, if youre edexcel, then practice on aqa and ocr as well (the latter are sometimes regarded as slighty harder). The styles are a bit different, but not so much that youd not get value out of practicing on them.

Reply 10

Original post
by Aikandey
EDEXCEL is the default option I am given, though I can switch. I have considered other boards but as far as my research has shown Universities don't favour any particular board since they're all OFQUAL regulated anyway, so I saw no reason to switch to OCR/CIE/AQA/WJEC

Edexcel has the most resources and I'd recommend Dr Frost:

Year 12 content: https://www.drfrost.org/explorer.php?coid=12814

Year 13 content: https://www.drfrost.org/explorer.php?coid=12815

MathsMadeEasy: https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-maths-revision/ [revision and worksheets ie free stuff]

Reply 11

Original post
by mqb2766
For maths, if youre edexcel, then practice on aqa and ocr as well (the latter are sometimes regarded as slighty harder). The styles are a bit different, but not so much that youd not get value out of practicing on them.

Edexcel produce masses of additional stuff that teachers can share - there's no need to use other boards material.

Reply 12

Original post
by Muttley79
Edexcel produce masses of additional stuff that teachers can share - there's no need to use other boards material.

I'm a private student so I unfortunately don't have that extra security of having teachers share resources that they typically have access to, it's very much "Here's the basic materials we're giving you, good luck and go figure it out!" So I'm honestly happy for any and all recommendations I get (:

Reply 13

Original post
by Muttley79
Edexcel has the most resources and I'd recommend Dr Frost:
Year 12 content: https://www.drfrost.org/explorer.php?coid=12814
Year 13 content: https://www.drfrost.org/explorer.php?coid=12815
MathsMadeEasy: https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-maths-revision/ [revision and worksheets ie free stuff]

Thank you so much for these ☺️ Added to my ever growing list of resources thanks to everyone here! :biggrin:

Reply 14

Original post
by mqb2766
For maths, if youre edexcel, then practice on aqa and ocr as well (the latter are sometimes regarded as slighty harder). The styles are a bit different, but not so much that youd not get value out of practicing on them.

Thank you! I've heard the grumblings of other students mentioning the other boards (looking at you OCR and CIE) being more difficult, and I just don't understand why. That being said, it certainly won't hurt to practice with their resources for additional material and/or/ difficulty!

Reply 15

I wouldn't worry about spending money, physics and maths tutor is the best. It's free and it's got notes, topic questions and past paper walkthroughs for a couple of years. I use it practically daily for year 12/13 plus mocks

Reply 16

Original post
by Aikandey
Revising A level Physics, Biology and Math, been looking into Cognito, Snaprevise and alevelbiology.co.uk
Anyone have any experience with these and whether they're worth the money?


Cognito is definitely worth the money imo but tbh it’s pretty good free as well as the revision notes are the most useful part imo, so amazing for biology but the physics course is less detailed so maybe try to find alternatives for that (and let me know if they’re good!)

Reply 17

Mr turnball physics, his voice is annoying but he follows the spec and covers a lot

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