Need some advice about self learning.

Hi, I couldn't attend school due significant mental health issues and am now nearly 17 after planning on self studying them to be able to progress onto A-levels.

I'm now in the process of finding resources that will allow me to begin self teaching myself, though I am relatively stumped on what textbooks I should buy, I have no Idea which ones would be best suited for my circumstances. The subjects I've decided to go with are history, religious studies, and IGCSE biology as non of them have any coursework or practical element that I know of, I've looked at CGP revision guides and have even purchased one, but they are only revision guides, and am unsure whether that would cover absolutely everything in enough detail. Should I just use the CGP revision guides? or are there more suitable alternatives for learning from the ground up. Thanks.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

Reply 1

PinkMobilePhone

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Okay so the official Edexcel IGCSE Biology book is REALLY BORING, but admittedly it does cover absolutely everything whereas the CGP one covers most but not quite all, so you're best off with both of them.
So this is one you want alongside the CGP:
Screenshot 2025-04-29 230916.png

For religious studies I can't help you there, none of my kids have taken that one.

For history it depends which spec you're doing as to whether or not I can advise you. My daughter did Cambridge IGCSE History.

Final point, you're talking about progressing onto A Levels... have you checked with your local sixth form / sixth form college that they will be happy to have you starting at 17/18?
Colleges are usually fine with students starting BTECs at that age, but sixth forms that do A Levels tend to be a bit difficult sometimes if you're not starting straight after Year 11 age.

Reply 2

coherent-denial

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

For religious studies I can't help you there, none of my kids have taken that one.
For history it depends which spec you're doing as to whether or not I can advise you. My daughter did Cambridge IGCSE History.
Final point, you're talking about progressing onto A Levels... have you checked with your local sixth form / sixth form college that they will be happy to have you starting at 17/18?
Colleges are usually fine with students starting BTECs at that age, but sixth forms that do A Levels tend to be a bit difficult sometimes if you're not starting straight after Year 11 age.

Thank you!

I'm currently thinking of doing either AQA history or Edexcel.

Yes, I've checked with my local college and they have no objection to accepting older students.

Reply 3

lil_ziomek

Original post by coherent-denial

Hi, I couldn't attend school due significant mental health issues and am now nearly 17 after planning on self studying them to be able to progress onto A-levels.
I'm now in the process of finding resources that will allow me to begin self teaching myself, though I am relatively stumped on what textbooks I should buy, I have no Idea which ones would be best suited for my circumstances. The subjects I've decided to go with are history, religious studies, and IGCSE biology as non of them have any coursework or practical element that I know of, I've looked at CGP revision guides and have even purchased one, but they are only revision guides, and am unsure whether that would cover absolutely everything in enough detail. Should I just use the CGP revision guides? or are there more suitable alternatives for learning from the ground up. Thanks.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

For RE, if you're doing AQA (I'm not sure if you're doing A or B (Catholic Christianity) but literally just learn everything in the revision guide and you'll ace the GCSE:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Religious-Studies-Christianity/dp/0198422873/ref=asc_df_0198422873?mcid=6eb3838601073639a319dfd251aad5a9&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696450770372&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3150539347103251944&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9222618&hvtargid=pla-572392166322&psc=1&gad_source=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=e959f25d-b44b-4a97-8996-d09187a65210
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-GCSE-Religious-Studies-Christianity/dp/0198422830/ref=asc_df_0198422830?mcid=f1277b20f0863f9dbc48a2f1123918d8&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696450770372&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3150539347103251944&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9222618&hvtargid=pla-574124614257&psc=1&gad_source=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=ba27b50b-1e02-4d7c-a109-87b171d0e2d7
Also need to check you get the right book for the extra religion you will study (Islam or Judaism for example)

Reply 4

illustrated-expo

Original post by coherent-denial

Hi, I couldn't attend school due significant mental health issues and am now nearly 17 after planning on self studying them to be able to progress onto A-levels.
I'm now in the process of finding resources that will allow me to begin self teaching myself, though I am relatively stumped on what textbooks I should buy, I have no Idea which ones would be best suited for my circumstances. The subjects I've decided to go with are history, religious studies, and IGCSE biology as non of them have any coursework or practical element that I know of, I've looked at CGP revision guides and have even purchased one, but they are only revision guides, and am unsure whether that would cover absolutely everything in enough detail. Should I just use the CGP revision guides? or are there more suitable alternatives for learning from the ground up. Thanks.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

Hi I did my biology IGCSE Edexcel last year and made notes for every topic. I recommend using it along side Save My Exam and PMT so you don’t have to spend any money. Hope this helps https://sites.google.com/view/stride101/igcse-revision-resource

Reply 5

lil_ziomek

For Edexcel IGCSE biology, just use the Science with Hazel videos. When it reaches closer to the exams, just learn everything she says in her 3 hour summary videos:
Paper 1 (double): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REDhrBFnQ_M
Paper 2 (triple): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygxNEqdNnlQ

Reply 6

Muttley79

Original post by coherent-denial

Hi, I couldn't attend school due significant mental health issues and am now nearly 17 after planning on self studying them to be able to progress onto A-levels.
I'm now in the process of finding resources that will allow me to begin self teaching myself, though I am relatively stumped on what textbooks I should buy, I have no Idea which ones would be best suited for my circumstances. The subjects I've decided to go with are history, religious studies, and IGCSE biology as non of them have any coursework or practical element that I know of, I've looked at CGP revision guides and have even purchased one, but they are only revision guides, and am unsure whether that would cover absolutely everything in enough detail. Should I just use the CGP revision guides? or are there more suitable alternatives for learning from the ground up. Thanks.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

Have you got English and Maths at grade 4+?