a levels

9

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by Kejsjsjejkek

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

Hiya!

Congratulations on your offers!! I've got a few tips from when I did my A-Levels!

1.

Mix it up. Don't just do the same thing over and over! Different types of revision is good, as mixing it up will help you memorise it much better than just one, for example, using flashcards, doing brainstorming mind maps AND past exam papers. For maths specifically, from my experience, flashcards are great for memorising equations, and then specific exam questions to solidify that knowledge worked for me.

2.

Create a revision structure. Sticking to a clear structure can help you cover everything that you need to in time for your summer exams! It's worth spending a little bit of time going through your mocks, identifying areas you are less confident in, and giving more time to those.

3.

Be confident! Look on the bright side as much as you can! Doesn't sound like a lot, but even telling myself "I got this" massively helped me feel like I could manage it, when doing my A-Levels! Also, you got a BCC, which, considering that you had interviews and you know that you were slightly distracted, is fantastic, and you're definitely on the track to get the grades you need!!

Good luck on your exams, and believe in yourself, you've got this!!

James
Lancaster University Student Ambassador

Reply 2

Lee322

3

Hi, congrats on ur offers! I do Aqa bio and Edexcel maths too. For maths, Bicen maths is a lifesaver. His chapter summery videos are really helpful. I would recommend watching this and completing loads of practice questions based on that topic. And then seeing where u loose marks and try to improve. I use pmt and mathsgenie for questions as they are in topics.

For bio, I use pmt for questions and their summary notes where I make mind maps. I also watch Miss Estruch on yt who explains the content really well. But flashcards and Practice questions are probably the best.

Reply 3

SomehowAMedic

Universities Forum Helper

15

Original post

by Kejsjsjejkek

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

I do aqa bio and ocr chem.
For bio, if you can afford them buy the Miss Estruch flashcards. They are amazing. Then do blurting to make sure it skins in and bash out PPQs.
Chem isnt my strongest (was predicted A* and got a C in my Jan mock lol) but look at your mistakes. Organic problems? Do some flashcards, learn mechanisms etc... Inorganic maths? Then create algorithms of how to solve these questions and bash out more PPQs

Also, go on CramNow! It is a great website with a bunch of quizzes for both bio and chem

Reply 4

Kejsjsjejkek

OP

9

Original post

by Lancaster Student Ambassador

Hiya!
Congratulations on your offers!! I've got a few tips from when I did my A-Levels!

1.

Mix it up. Don't just do the same thing over and over! Different types of revision is good, as mixing it up will help you memorise it much better than just one, for example, using flashcards, doing brainstorming mind maps AND past exam papers. For maths specifically, from my experience, flashcards are great for memorising equations, and then specific exam questions to solidify that knowledge worked for me.

2.

Create a revision structure. Sticking to a clear structure can help you cover everything that you need to in time for your summer exams! It's worth spending a little bit of time going through your mocks, identifying areas you are less confident in, and giving more time to those.

3.

Be confident! Look on the bright side as much as you can! Doesn't sound like a lot, but even telling myself "I got this" massively helped me feel like I could manage it, when doing my A-Levels! Also, you got a BCC, which, considering that you had interviews and you know that you were slightly distracted, is fantastic, and you're definitely on the track to get the grades you need!!

Good luck on your exams, and believe in yourself, you've got this!!
James
Lancaster University Student Ambassador

thank you 🙂 I have made an excel spreadsheet and RAG it all so going to work my way through all the red topics with my teachers in areas I have 0 confidence in and then go from there!

Reply 5

UniofLawstudent2

Official Rep

11

Original post

by Kejsjsjejkek

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

Hi Kej,
being on BCC doesn’t define your final outcome, and you’ve already shown you can handle pressure with those 4/4 med offers. To see fast improvement's I recommend these strategies:

1.

Targeted revision over quantity. Identify the topics and type of question that cost you marks in mocks and hit them hard. Especially for bio and chem as certain types of 4-5markers are guaranteed to come up every year just varying by topic but the way you answer it is normally the same, especially when it involves a graph of some sort.

2.

Exam technique – You mentioned interviews affected your mocks; that might have been nerves. Practice under timed conditions, do past papers, and simulate the exam environment to build confidence.

3.

Mark schemes are your friend – Especially for OCR Chemistry and AQA Biology, understanding how marks are awarded can help you phrase answers perfectly. I found especially in biology some questions didn't need coherent answers, they just needed certain phrases involved for particualrly common questions to get the marks.

4.

Consistency beats cramming – Small, daily focused sessions are better than last-minute panic. Even 1–2 hours a day per subject with smart revision beats long, unfocused sessions.

Focus on weaknesses, practice smart, and trust yourself. ABB is totally achievable if you stick to a plan.

Best of Luck,
Alfred.

Reply 6

Kingston Trenyce

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Kejsjsjejkek

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

Hi, first 4/4 med offers is huge. That proves you're capable.
BCC → ABB is very doable. You don't need to be perfect, you need to be consitent.

Short plan:

•

Focus hardest on the subject at C

•

Do times past papers weekly for Maths/Chem

•

Mark brutally and fix weak topic immediately

•

2-3 focused hours daily > long unfocused days, ensuring breaks in between

Trenyce (Kingston rep)

Reply 7

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by Kejsjsjejkek

any advice guys I'm currently on BCC an need to achieve ABB. I do edexcel maths, aqa biology and ocr a chemistry. I think the main reason I did bad in mocks was due to interviews but I have 4/4 med offers now and don't want to fail at the last hurdle :frown:

Would past papers help?

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