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Tips for Philosphy a-level?

I’m going to start my a-levels in September, and I’ve noticed when researching some of my planned a-level choices that there isn’t much information, recommendations and spoken experiences of it from other students as there may be for other subjects.

I was wondering if anybody could kindly give me some tips, and their experience on taking the a-level. I’d like to know about the best revision methods to use, how to revise, things you’d do differently when approaching the subject, and the recourses that helped you!

Reply 1

Original post
by flwries
I’m going to start my a-levels in September, and I’ve noticed when researching some of my planned a-level choices that there isn’t much information, recommendations and spoken experiences of it from other students as there may be for other subjects.
I was wondering if anybody could kindly give me some tips, and their experience on taking the a-level. I’d like to know about the best revision methods to use, how to revise, things you’d do differently when approaching the subject, and the recourses that helped you!
Use the AQA past papers and practice essays to timed conditions as well as not forgetting to get your tutor or teacher to mark them and give feedback. 🙂

Reply 2

Original post
by flwries
I’m going to start my a-levels in September, and I’ve noticed when researching some of my planned a-level choices that there isn’t much information, recommendations and spoken experiences of it from other students as there may be for other subjects.
I was wondering if anybody could kindly give me some tips, and their experience on taking the a-level. I’d like to know about the best revision methods to use, how to revise, things you’d do differently when approaching the subject, and the recourses that helped you!
These websites are soooo good for revision:

https://alevelphilosophyandreligion.com
(although he's put half of his content behind a paywall but its sooo worth it)

https://philosophyalevel.com
Tips:

also do essay plans for the big 25 mark essays and learn them this was really helpful for me

knowing all of the content- flashcards etc

and exam technique- how to approach the 3/5/5/12 mark questions


ALSO!!
(for your exam)

One thing about philosophy that is kinda helpful is that its really easy to question spot (mainly for the 25 mark essays), like they tend to ask the essays that they havent asked in a while, obviously it isn't always the case but it definitely is a lot. If you want to find the past questions search a level philosophy exam chat for the previous years and people upload the questions, or I can pm you and give you some digital revision tips!

Reply 3

Original post
by user8726543
These websites are soooo good for revision:
https://alevelphilosophyandreligion.com
(although he's put half of his content behind a paywall but its sooo worth it)
https://philosophyalevel.com
Tips:

also do essay plans for the big 25 mark essays and learn them this was really helpful for me

knowing all of the content- flashcards etc

and exam technique- how to approach the 3/5/5/12 mark questions


ALSO!!
(for your exam)
One thing about philosophy that is kinda helpful is that its really easy to question spot (mainly for the 25 mark essays), like they tend to ask the essays that they havent asked in a while, obviously it isn't always the case but it definitely is a lot. If you want to find the past questions search a level philosophy exam chat for the previous years and people upload the questions, or I can pm you and give you some digital revision tips!


Thank you so much, that’ll help a lot !! I’ll make sure to keep this in mind when I start the alevel.

Reply 4

Try to keep up with your revision, keep going over past stuff. Read around your topics, eg: read more into the copplestone v Russell debates and things like that
I recommend you to ask @always-anxious your question. She has just done all their exams in philosophy in year 13 and certainly willing to give you answers. :yes:
(edited 9 months ago)
Original post
by Kallisto
I recommend you to ask @always-anxious your question. She has just done all their exams in philosophy in year 13 and certainly willing to give you answers. :yes:

Sorry I did not study philosophy! 😅
Original post
by always-anxious
Sorry I did not study philosophy! 😅


:sigh:

I confused psychology with philosophy. I just feel a bit embarrassed.

@flwries ignore what I wrote before.

Reply 8

Get out while you can

Reply 9

Original post
by _angel_eyes_
Get out while you can


Why? It seems pretty interesting 😞

Reply 10

Original post
by xdr08
I've just finished Year 12 and I'd just stress the importance of having a good and passionate teacher for Philosophy as the content can be quite tricky.
I would add though that the exam formatting is incredibly easy to get your head around, and it's also fairly straightforward to figure out what each question wants from you. As for the essay questions, they can be difficult, but they are fairly predictable based on what's previously come up (or not come up).
You are right that there are limited resources online for Philosophy (hence the importance of a good teacher), but honestly philosophyalevel.com and maybe a textbook is all you really need in terms of revising and recapping. Also just past papers/mark schemes and the student exemplars published by AQA are often pretty helpful in providing insight into what actually scores well.
Overall though, I was pretty hesitant before taking it as well and I've found that I've really enjoyed it so far and I tend to score well in mocks because of that so I would say, taking the information above into account, definitely consider taking it!


Thank you for the recourses, I’ll be sure to check it out. This has calmed me down a little as NOONE seems to take this subject.

Reply 11

Hey I guess your starting point differs depending on the exam board if you know it, as the AQA exam for philosophy is structured differently and covers different things compared to the OCR exam board. So if u do know or can find out what exam board that could help.
However some things that are probably helpful for both is looking at philosophers such as Aristotle and plato. There are some videos on YouTube that are helpful in explaining different philosophical topics such as ‘The school of life’, Crashcourse aswell as podcasts such as Philosophize this that may give u some background info.
Also another good revision source is the YouTube Chanel ‘I think therefore I teach’ that goes through all topics (for ocr- but may still be helpful to others)

Reply 12

Original post
by flwries
Why? It seems pretty interesting 😞


I'm doing at Alevel right now and I'm struggling immensely, I think it depends how you deal with essays but they mark schemes for it are incredibly harsh, the content is difficult to learn and i just really don't enjoy it

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