The Student Room Group

A level grades jump

Hi, I am an a level student studying only biology and chemistry AQA and am doing not the best- I’ve been getting grade e’s and not motivating scores in mocks and tests. I was very demotivated and kept procrastinating since the start of year 13, especially with UCAS interviews etc. now I’m ready and committed to improve my grades and get maybe b’s if possible not to sound too optimistic. I’ve deleted social media and gotten rid of distractions. Any advice please it would be much appreciated! Is it possible to improve if I commit. Thanks so much!

Reply 1

Absolutely possible to improve these grades - you got this!!
I also take Bio so know the amount of content can feel overwhleming at times. The biggest help for me is working out why my A-levels matter, and seeing them as a stepping stone to what I want to do next (uni). If you can see why they matter this really helps with the motivation. If you can't they'll just seem pointless! All paths are valid, wether that's uni, apprenticeship, gap year, work or something else.
Work out how you revise best, and communicate this with your teachers if helpful/necessary. It may be flashcards, mind maps, past exam papers (really useful), quizzes, etc. Sometimes it's ok to go to your teachers and ask them for extensions or passes on some of the homework (for instance I sometimes swap out making mindmaps to make flashcards or do online quizzes instead), if you can tell them why, and what you are doing instead. People are there to support you so take any support you can, from study groups with classmates and friends, to teachers marking additional work or helping you create a revision plan.
You're so close to being all finished, and the more work you put in, the more you'll get out. You've still got loads of time to revise but I would start now...and remember that A-level summer off is so close, this will all be worth it! And yes, this is the final push, but remember to look after yourself too - you are never going to perform best if you are skipping out on time outdoors, healthy food (with a good dose of revision snacks!), and good rest!

Reply 2

I was getting Es in a level bio and i locked in and tried so hard and ended up with a D. Ruined my uni options. :smile:

Reply 3

Original post
by Megag090101
I was getting Es in a level bio and i locked in and tried so hard and ended up with a D. Ruined my uni options. :smile:


When did you lock in and when did you get the E if you don’t mind me asking

Reply 4

Original post
by Anahita_123
When did you lock in and when did you get the E if you don’t mind me asking


I got an E in my year 12 end of year mocks. i loved in from september of year 13 and had a tutor and everything. i actually got a C in my year 13 mocks but ended up with a D in the final exam. Missed my offer from Warwick as i needed ABB and i got ABD :frown:

Reply 5

Original post
by Megag090101
I got an E in my year 12 end of year mocks. i loved in from september of year 13 and had a tutor and everything. i actually got a C in my year 13 mocks but ended up with a D in the final exam. Missed my offer from Warwick as i needed ABB and i got ABD :frown:


I’m so sorry to hear that I hope you can eventually be able to do the course you want to! But also do you think maybe the way in which you revised wasn’t as effective or maybe you were burnt out ❤️

Reply 6

Is this necessary to share? This is unfortunate what happened to you but is not motivating for the person. What strategies did you use.

Im sure with good strategies you can increase your grades from Es. (for person who made thread)

Reply 7

Original post
by student643
Hi, I am an a level student studying only biology and chemistry AQA and am doing not the best- I’ve been getting grade e’s and not motivating scores in mocks and tests. I was very demotivated and kept procrastinating since the start of year 13, especially with UCAS interviews etc. now I’m ready and committed to improve my grades and get maybe b’s if possible not to sound too optimistic. I’ve deleted social media and gotten rid of distractions. Any advice please it would be much appreciated! Is it possible to improve if I commit. Thanks so much!

Hello, well done for motivating yourself to get your desired grades. Moving from grade E's to B's with a consistent revision pattern is possible. For AQA chemistry and biology, the key isn't just more revision but exam-focused revision: do past paper questions after every revision session to consolidate theory learnt, make flashcards only for things you repeatedly get wrong; review required practicals because they're guaranteed marks and active recall like blurting.

Trenyce (Kingston rep)

Reply 8

Original post
by AnaisJH
Absolutely possible to improve these grades - you got this!!
I also take Bio so know the amount of content can feel overwhleming at times. The biggest help for me is working out why my A-levels matter, and seeing them as a stepping stone to what I want to do next (uni). If you can see why they matter this really helps with the motivation. If you can't they'll just seem pointless! All paths are valid, wether that's uni, apprenticeship, gap year, work or something else.
Work out how you revise best, and communicate this with your teachers if helpful/necessary. It may be flashcards, mind maps, past exam papers (really useful), quizzes, etc. Sometimes it's ok to go to your teachers and ask them for extensions or passes on some of the homework (for instance I sometimes swap out making mindmaps to make flashcards or do online quizzes instead), if you can tell them why, and what you are doing instead. People are there to support you so take any support you can, from study groups with classmates and friends, to teachers marking additional work or helping you create a revision plan.
You're so close to being all finished, and the more work you put in, the more you'll get out. You've still got loads of time to revise but I would start now...and remember that A-level summer off is so close, this will all be worth it! And yes, this is the final push, but remember to look after yourself too - you are never going to perform best if you are skipping out on time outdoors, healthy food (with a good dose of revision snacks!), and good rest!

Thank you so much this means a lot!!!

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