Mocks -> GCSEs improvement, need tips

Hello everyone, I just got my mock results.
( PS: I DID NOT study for english, my school predicts me at a 6-7, I also didn’t study as well for physics. )

English Literature: 6
English Language: 5
Maths (F): 4
Combined Sci (H) : 6-6
- ( Chemistry : 8-7, Biology: 6-6 Physics: 5-3 )
Art: 6
History: 6

And these are my goals for the GCSEs

English Literature: 8
English Language: 7
Maths: 5
Combined Sci 7-7
- ( Chemistry : 8-8, Biology :7-7 Physics: 6-6)
Art 6/7
History 7

Does anyone have tips on how to achieve these grades? Tips for each subject would be very appreciated.
Thank you all :smile:

Reply 1

Ajhdhd

Hi! To go up one or two grades (I even managed to go up 3, starting revision in Feb) within the next four months is very doable, especially given you will start heavily revising.

For english (I achieved 2 9s), Mr everything english, mr salles. Watch their grade 9 quote analysis and mimic that kind of depth across all the quotes you learn. Try and have niche quotes too, not just the super common ones because examiners read millions of 'mixed up like bees in a hive'. I did mindmaps on quotes with language analysis, structural analysis, context etc and memorised them. DO NOT NEGLECT STRUCTURE!! I know its hard so people just don't really write much but honestly just learn a few. Write practice essays for your teacher to mark.

Maths (8). Practice is the only way. practice papers, practice questions, mock exams, predicted papers. do them all. i liked to watch corbett maths or gcse maths tutor for any areas I didn't understand.

Science (3 9s). Similar to maths, you need to be doing tons of questions and papers. You cannot rely solely on memorising content. You need to be able to apply it. I made stacks of flashcards on all the questions I got wrong. Cognito, freesciencelessons and ameoba sisters for any areas you don't understand. Make sure to learn the practicals!! We never took them seriously in school so they kinda fell off my radar and I freaked out in the exams. Try teaching other people too.

History (9). I made flashcards on all the different key events. I really struggled with the weimar side of things so I made timelines to be able to visualise the structure of events. Tons and tons of practice essays given to my teachers to mark. I also used to discuss events a lot with my friends which helped it stick.

Essentially, it's just a lot of practice. I know most people don't take the xmas mocks seriously (neither did I) but once you start the hardcore revision for the actual things you will start to see improvement, if you put in the effort. All the best!

Reply 2

3aalooli

Original post by Ajhdhd

Hi! To go up one or two grades (I even managed to go up 3, starting revision in Feb) within the next four months is very doable, especially given you will start heavily revising.
For english (I achieved 2 9s), Mr everything english, mr salles. Watch their grade 9 quote analysis and mimic that kind of depth across all the quotes you learn. Try and have niche quotes too, not just the super common ones because examiners read millions of 'mixed up like bees in a hive'. I did mindmaps on quotes with language analysis, structural analysis, context etc and memorised them. DO NOT NEGLECT STRUCTURE!! I know its hard so people just don't really write much but honestly just learn a few. Write practice essays for your teacher to mark.
Maths (8). Practice is the only way. practice papers, practice questions, mock exams, predicted papers. do them all. i liked to watch corbett maths or gcse maths tutor for any areas I didn't understand.
Science (3 9s). Similar to maths, you need to be doing tons of questions and papers. You cannot rely solely on memorising content. You need to be able to apply it. I made stacks of flashcards on all the questions I got wrong. Cognito, freesciencelessons and ameoba sisters for any areas you don't understand. Make sure to learn the practicals!! We never took them seriously in school so they kinda fell off my radar and I freaked out in the exams. Try teaching other people too.
History (9). I made flashcards on all the different key events. I really struggled with the weimar side of things so I made timelines to be able to visualise the structure of events. Tons and tons of practice essays given to my teachers to mark. I also used to discuss events a lot with my friends which helped it stick.
Essentially, it's just a lot of practice. I know most people don't take the xmas mocks seriously (neither did I) but once you start the hardcore revision for the actual things you will start to see improvement, if you put in the effort. All the best!