A Level Chemistry Help!!!

I’m doing well in biology and psychology, consistent A’s. But chemistry is the one subject I’m unable to do even remotely well at. I thought something would magically click in year 13 as others suggest, but no! Still getting C’s. Please help me 😓

I recognise for chemistry it’s not flashcards like in Biology and Psych. Thus I’m focused more on past papers. But still, no improvements. I did past paper questions (ppq) + flashcards for thermodynamics and kinetics, still getting 50%.

Other A* achievers in my class said that all they do is read chemise and do ppq, which I tried but obviously no progress. Starting to accept defeat.

In case you’re wondering how I do the ppq, I do it under timed conditions, closed book, then mark once all completed. Then memorise the mark scheme.

Pleaseee help me 🙏 I’m aiming for a B for my actual a levels, my teacher thinks it’s a bit of a stretch.

Reply 1

LondonMetIz

Official Rep

Original post

by blabfish

I’m doing well in biology and psychology, consistent A’s. But chemistry is the one subject I’m unable to do even remotely well at. I thought something would magically click in year 13 as others suggest, but no! Still getting C’s. Please help me 😓
I recognise for chemistry it’s not flashcards like in Biology and Psych. Thus I’m focused more on past papers. But still, no improvements. I did past paper questions (ppq) + flashcards for thermodynamics and kinetics, still getting 50%.
Other A* achievers in my class said that all they do is read chemise and do ppq, which I tried but obviously no progress. Starting to accept defeat.
In case you’re wondering how I do the ppq, I do it under timed conditions, closed book, then mark once all completed. Then memorise the mark scheme.
Pleaseee help me 🙏 I’m aiming for a B for my actual a levels, my teacher thinks it’s a bit of a stretch.

Hi there! I currently study Biomedical Science at London Metropolitan University.

For my A-Levels I did biology, computer science and physics - and I was in the same boat as you with physics. I chose it because I found it interesting but I found myself getting Ds in year 12. I tried doing my regular revision of just opening the book and learning the content, but I couldn't understand it like my other subjects.

The game changer for me was the past papers. I did every single past paper available - and I mean every single one. I marked it according to the mark-scheme and met with my physics teachers at lunchtimes to asked them to explain where I went wrong. My score went up with every past paper as I learned my weak spots.
Set a timer, do the past paper under timed conditions. If you run out of time, complete the paper in a different coloured pen so you know what marks you would have gotten.

I achieved a B in my final exam.

I see that you have already done past paper questions but I must say it was absolutely the technique I needed. People learn differently, it's true. But I'm certain doing entire past papers at a time really helped me.

Good luck with your studies!!