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We always hear about how exams are under review. How they might be made more difficult. And it's not just the General Certificate of Secondary Education - the GCSE exams that are under scrutiny. It's the Advanced-Level exams, too. That isn't the news students starting these challenging exams want to hear. But they kind of have to bear those changes, don't they?
So what does mean? For one, doing well on these exams will soon require more preparation and dedication than in the past. Also, you'll have to avail yourself of more resources and study tools. And you'll have to spend longer on revisions than you might have ever had to. On the other hand, you have far more at your disposal than past students ever had access to:
- past papers, marking schemes and examiners' notes straight from your Exam Board's website
- group study strategies
- productivity apps like Forest, Pomodoro timers and others
- revision apps like Quizlet and Anki
- online utilities like mind maps, note-takers and voice recorders
- access to academic coaches and tutors from around the world.
That's not to say that students of Yore never engaged a tutor, used flashcards or went to the library to find past papers. It's just that their resources were confined to what was available in their immediate area. Or to what they could make themselves. And if all the tutors already had a full schedule, students seeking tutelage were out of luck.
You might currently be in Sixth Form barreling towards your exams. Or maybe you just wrapped up GCSEs and you're now trying to figure out what to expect when you start studying for A-Levels. Either way, you need this guide. It will tell you the best ways to revise for A-Levels.
A-Level Tips: Explore
We're not starting this off by discounting your GCSE efforts. We only want to point out that you're in a transition phase right now. You're moving away from being a secondary school student and into being an independent learner. Until now, the adults in your life directed and guided your study efforts. Now, you're in charge of your study strategies. Does that sound scary?
Not if you start exploring your options early. Think of yourself as a character in a game. You know how they're always on a quest to find new weapons, new powers, and new allies? You're on a similar quest. Except you're looking for the best study and revision resources. Once you find the study tools that work for you, you'll be in a position to level up, just as game characters do.
So the first cache to explore is your personal trove of abilities. You will need to sharpen your academic skills in areas like researching, writing, references, problem-solving, analytics and critical thinking. You can do this in many different ways. Read a lot. Think of issues that affect you and your mates; try to find solutions. Keep a diary.
Find out what's available online. As mentioned in this article's introduction, Anki and Quizlet are flashcard applications. You can either create your own flashcard decks or search for already-made ones for your A-Level subjects. Both platforms are free to use; you only need to create an account. While you're skipping around online, check out MindMeister. It too is free but for a sign-up. And take a look at some productivity apps to help keep you focused on your studies.
This was just a basic overview to get you started on your studies, in case you'd not availed yourself of these resources before. We'll talk about revising with a tutor or academic coach later in this article. What follows now are our tips to help you choose the right subjects and prepare properly for your AS and A-level exams.
A-Level Advice: Choose Your Subjects Wisely
It's hard to know what to study. Most students find it difficult to choose their Advanced Subsidiary (AS) exams. Either they're interested in too many subjects or they don't know what might prove to be interesting (or valuable) to their future career. Often, students choose courses simply because they appear easy.
Such was the case when I was trying to choose my subjects. I thought that communication and culture A-Levels would be more or less a throwaway subject when I picked it as one of my AS subjects. The more I learned, though, the more interesting it became. I ended up keeping it and even sat the exam after Year 12. That just goes to show that it's hard to tell what a subject might bring just by looking at the course description.
If you're in doubt about your course selections, take the time to talk to your Sixth Form teacher or college tutor. They will help you choose the subjects you will need to pursue your degree of interest at university. If you do not have a chosen career in mind, go with the subjects that most interest you. This will make it easier to select a career that truly fulfils you in the long run. And if you don't yet know what interests you, choose courses from different areas.
The AS programme is built for flexibility. You can choose up to five subjects (some choose six!). By the end of your first year at college, you'll know which courses to stick with and which ones to drop. As UCAS usually only requires three A-Level marks, you can abandon your studies in those subjects that didn't inspire you.
It’s also a good idea to research the syllabi of any new subjects that were not available while you were studying for your GCSEs. See whether the skills the subjects demand and your own strengths coincide. If you are set on a particular university, try to figure out which subjects are most likely to get you accepted in that particular institution.
Check out prospective universities' websites. Cambridge University, for instance, has published a list of subjects they deem less effective preparation for their courses. These subjects should best be avoided if they interfere with your chances of entering the university of your dreams.
Be aware that there are difficult subjects with heavy workloads, and there are easier subjects. Be careful about taking too many difficult subjects, if you have any doubt in your ability to pass them. Final tip: don't necessarily credit past students' ratings of the best and the worst A-level teachers. There may be some truth to their assertions; bear this in mind when making your selection.
Revision Methods A-Level: Like Clockwork
Revision should be a regular task. On Monday, Subject 1. On Tuesday, Subject 2. And so on. At the end of every week, go over all your notes to see if you've condensed everything into a format that is easier to memorise. Here, a mind map is especially helpful. It gives you a visual guide to how your information is organised. More on that in a mo.
If you allow week after week to pass without checking and measuring your progress, your revision will be more daunting. That doesn't mean simply looking at how much of your book is left to revise, of course. The trick is to go over the information you've already mastered. You can also take such occasions to fit newly-revised information into your mastery catalogue.
Now, for a cautionary note. Revising regularly does not mean allowing yourself to burn out. It is up to you to determine how many hours daily or weekly you need to efficiently summarise, memorise and conduct the necessary research. So long as you give yourself plenty of time to study, you won't have to cram the night before your exam.
You may work best by studying two or three days in a row and then giving yourself a two-day break. When you do allow yourself some leisure time, use it wisely. Make sure that you truly disconnect from your studies by doing something you love. Consider hanging out with friends and family. You don’t want to feel like A-levels revision is costing you your personal life.
A-Level Preparation Apps
Mind maps provide one of the most effective ways of reducing a large bulk of information into a more manageable format. These break a subject up into headings/main ideas. And then, com sub-headings and more specific details. And so on, until the entire subject is mapped.
Mind maps give you visual imagery to increase retention and help you relate parts of a subject or idea to the whole. A good mind map will use colour, images and text to boost memory and concentration. You can either create mind maps with poster boards and colourful markers or use mind mapping software.
Flashcards are also good, time-tested study tools. You can create your own flashcard decks with a bit of card stock and felt tip markers or you can sign up with an online platform. Having to be online is the only downside to the online tools, of course. Beyond that small trouble, online flashcard utilities are more versatile than creating your own decks. For instance, besides flipping flashcards, Quizlet provides you with a study tool, an exam and some games. And they're all built around your study keywords.
Best Ways to Revise for A-Levels
We've covered a lot of ground so far but we still have a way to go. Now that you're sure you've chosen the right subjects, explored your strengths and found a box full of tools, you're ready to access one of the best A-Level study resources. Let's say you've selected a wide-ranging subject like A-Levels Politics. Knowing how much ground you have to cover ahead of your exams could be overwhelming.
But not if you base your review on past papers. Going over past exams is one of the best ways to learn to manage your time when you finally take your place in the exam room. It's also the best way to ensure you are familiar with the format and nature of the questions you'll find on your test. The more you work with past papers, the more comfortable you will be on exam day.
While you're at it, don't forget to study the examiners' notes. This document, separate from the past papers and marking schemes, reveals how past students answered exam questions. For each question, this report points out commonly made mistakes. It then makes recommendations for how future students could do better.
There are many past exams floating around in cyberspace. However, your exam board's website is the best place to download yours from. Beware, though, that you won't find an endless supply. If you run out of material, ask your teacher if they can help you access more tests.
Just remember that the questions you find on any past papers are not likely to feature on the exam you'll sit. But that is not the point of completing practice exams. You want to get familiar with the nature of the questions, the structure of the exam and the time you will be allowed for each section. These are your areas of interest, where past papers are concerned.
How to Prepare for A-Levels: on a Personal Note
You're not a computer. We're probably not telling you anything new, there. That assertion is meant to point out that you cannot be 'All Revision, All the Time'. You have to take care of yourself, first and foremost. That's a large umbrella that covers a lot of ground. Let's break it down to look at things one aspect at a time.
The Importance of Regular Exercise and a Healthy Diet
Keeping your energy levels up for two whole years is quite a challenge. You need to feel vital, healthy and fit while you are revising. You also need to keep a stable mood, particularly because revision can seem frustrating and endless. Make sure to include brain-boosting foods in your diet. Lots of fresh fruits and veg, nuts to snack on and foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Treat yourself to fast food - maybe, but only on the eve of your day off from studying. And no sugary drinks!
Pro tip: keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and drink, as well as your mood and how you feel physically. Feel free to include bedtimes and how long you sleep. Once you've gathered about three months of data, you can figure out which foods work best for your body.
This exercise will help build your critical thinking and analysis skills. If you happen to be studying A-Level psychology or any other science... Oh, just imagine how well your research skills will develop!
Strive for Conciseness
The trick to answering exam questions correctly is determining their intent. What are they asking for, exactly? This is another reason to go over past papers with a fine-toothed comb.
Think about each question before you answer it. A long-winded answer intended to show how much you know does nothing for you if it doesn't actually answer the question posed. From this perspective, past exams are incredibly helpful. You can use them to tame your ideas. Try dividing all that you might write as an answer into clearly defined paragraphs. Then, connect your ideas in a logical and comprehensible manner. Finally, decide which points address the question. Presto! You've addressed the question's intent!
Who You Study With Matters
Some students are self-starters. They prefer to study alone and do not need others to set goals with and work towards them. Others work best in a social setting. And still, others want/need the guidance only a professional tutor can provide. Which type are you?
You may find the company of others motivating. If you find that revising with a study group works for you, create one. Establish rules with your group mates from the outset, including the length and number of breaks, etc. Share revision resources and tips. Test each other regularly to identify possible neglected areas in your respective study plans.
If you're interested in a test-prep tutor, start your search early. The best tutors' schedules fill up quickly even months before exams. And if you and a couple of mates want to study together with a tutor, be sure to find one who offers group lessons. Unless you're the aforementioned self-starter, tutor-led group lessons might be the best of all the revision worlds!
No Stress Allowed
You have been preparing for two years. You know your material is cold. Do you really need that last night to cram information into your brain? Have confidence in your discipline and hard work. Believe in what you have achieved. Close the books. Turn off the tablet. Get an early night to ensure your memory and focus are in tip-top shape on your big day.
The Best A-Level Advice: Reward Yourself
A-levels are a hard slog. Make sure to treat yourself along the way. A night at the cinema or a meal out will do. Because you're planning one special reward for doing so well on your A-level exams. Maybe something as simple as a camping trip. Or something as grand as a gap year? No matter what your plan is, having something to look forward to helps when your motivation flags. And now, all that’s left is to wish you the best of luck with your A-levels.
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