AQA A-level Physics stuck at A, can’t secure A*

4

I’m doing AQA A-level Physics, and I’m currently sitting at a A. I got an A in my November mock and recently scored 41/55 in a Fields test. I’ve done a lot of past papers already, and I don’t feel like there’s a specific topic I’m bad at — mechanics, electricity, fields all seem fine when I revise them.

The problem is I just can’t seem to make it a secure A*. It feels like I’m hovering in that low-to-mid A range but not properly breaking through. I only need an A, but I’d like Physics to feel like an “easy A*” subject for me the way Chemistry does.
Is it exam technique, precision in wording, depth of understanding, or something else?

Reply 1

mysnowwhitequeen

12

Original post

by Vasok

I’m doing AQA A-level Physics, and I’m currently sitting at a A. I got an A in my November mock and recently scored 41/55 in a Fields test. I’ve done a lot of past papers already, and I don’t feel like there’s a specific topic I’m bad at — mechanics, electricity, fields all seem fine when I revise them.
The problem is I just can’t seem to make it a secure A*. It feels like I’m hovering in that low-to-mid A range but not properly breaking through. I only need an A, but I’d like Physics to feel like an “easy A*” subject for me the way Chemistry does.
Is it exam technique, precision in wording, depth of understanding, or something else?

once again plugging the greatest thread in the history of the platform

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7618322

but to answer your last question specifically, we don't have your question papers so literally only you can answer those questions effectively, would suggest making a table and examining where your marks are being lost

Reply 2

Macclesfield

11

Original post

by Vasok

I’m doing AQA A-level Physics, and I’m currently sitting at a A. I got an A in my November mock and recently scored 41/55 in a Fields test. I’ve done a lot of past papers already, and I don’t feel like there’s a specific topic I’m bad at — mechanics, electricity, fields all seem fine when I revise them.
The problem is I just can’t seem to make it a secure A*. It feels like I’m hovering in that low-to-mid A range but not properly breaking through. I only need an A, but I’d like Physics to feel like an “easy A*” subject for me the way Chemistry does.
Is it exam technique, precision in wording, depth of understanding, or something else?

I can't help on A-Level Physics specifically, as I dont take it, but I can tell you for my Math and Comp Sci that although I knew most of the content, I wasnt able to answer very hard or unique questions; At a point, it became moreso about memorising the question and answer rather than intuitively understanding the content. Putting more effort into thinking about the application of content has certainly helped me to go from A to A*

Also, keep in mind that "silly mistakes" are disproportionately affecting your grade here; any silly mistake will hurt you severely when trying to get an A* as an A student compared to getting a B as a C student. Look through your most recent past paper and see how much was a silly mistake, how much was a lack of knowledge, etc. It really helps to look through the paper and try to "explain" your loss of marks on every question you didnt do perfectly on. You can use the information you gained to guide your future exam prep.

If your "Fields Test" means a test only on the topic of Fields, then its also likely you dont know the content well enough, but that goes a bit beyond my domain and I imagine you'll know the main problem from doing the earlier points I made

Reply 3

Macclesfield

11

Original post

by Vasok

I’m doing AQA A-level Physics, and I’m currently sitting at a A. I got an A in my November mock and recently scored 41/55 in a Fields test. I’ve done a lot of past papers already, and I don’t feel like there’s a specific topic I’m bad at — mechanics, electricity, fields all seem fine when I revise them.
The problem is I just can’t seem to make it a secure A*. It feels like I’m hovering in that low-to-mid A range but not properly breaking through. I only need an A, but I’d like Physics to feel like an “easy A*” subject for me the way Chemistry does.
Is it exam technique, precision in wording, depth of understanding, or something else?

I can't help on A-Level Physics specifically, as I dont take it, but I can tell you for my Math and Comp Sci that although I knew most of the content, I wasnt able to answer very hard or unique questions; At a point, it became moreso about memorising the question and answer rather than intuitively understanding the content. Putting more effort into thinking about the application of content has certainly helped me to go from A to A*

Also, keep in mind that "silly mistakes" are disproportionately affecting your grade here; any silly mistake will hurt you severely when trying to get an A* as an A student compared to getting a B as a C student. Look through your most recent past paper and see how much was a silly mistake, how much was a lack of knowledge, etc. It really helps to look through the paper and try to "explain" your loss of marks on every question you didnt do perfectly on. You can use the information you gained to guide your future exam prep.

If your "Fields Test" means a test only on the topic of Fields, then its also likely you dont know the content well enough, but that goes a bit beyond my domain and I imagine you'll know the main problem from doing the earlier points I made

AQA A-level Physics stuck at A, can’t secure A*

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