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Study Methods I Used To Achieve 3 A*S In A- Level Biology, Chemistry And Geography

Malaika
24th October 2024

Aiming for A’s

I used a wide- array of study techniques at A- level. The first half- term of lower sixth entailed me trialling different methods for each subject to figure out which method provided me with the best outcome (with the effectiveness highlighted through performance on the end of unit tests). It is very important to keep an open- mind when it comes to trying new techniques out as methods that worked during GCSEs do not necessarily work at A- level due to the stark differences in depth of content and pace of teaching.

Biology:

  • My main way of revising biology was to make mind- maps to consolidate the topic area. I used the specification as a guide to ensure that my notes were comprehensive and included all examinable information, annotating the specification as I went through it. To make my notes, I supplemented my school notes with information from the AQA Oxford biology textbook and save my exams- note: use save my exams sparingly as it can be too detailed sometimes
  • Then, I would consolidate my learning via exam questions available on sites like Physics and Maths Tutor and Maths Made Easy. Many students leave exam question practice till mocks are nearing. But, I urge you to implement this in your regular studying sessions as to improve exam technique and to familiarise yourself with difficult situations examiners may present you with.
  • My main way of revising biology was to make mind- maps to consolidate the topic area. I used the specification as a guide to ensure that my notes were comprehensive and included all examinable information, annotating the specification as I went through it. To make my notes, I supplemented my school notes with information from the AQA Oxford biology textbook and save my exams- note: use save my exams sparingly as it can be too detailed sometimes
  • Then, I would consolidate my learning via exam questions available on sites like Physics and Maths Tutor and Maths Made Easy. Many students leave exam question practice till mocks are nearing. But, I urge you to implement this in your regular studying sessions as to improve exam technique and to familiarise yourself with difficult situations examiners may present you with

Chemistry:

  • Similarly to biology, I used my school powerpoints, the Oxford Chemistry textbook, and save my exams to create flashcards for chemistry aligned with the AQA specification. These flashcards were particularly helpful for learning all the different mechanisms in A2 organic.
  • I then practised exam questions to embed my learning into my memory and gauge how it could be tested by examiners
  • Any questions I found difficult, i would write them down on flashcards to test myself on them
  • Furthermore, I would ask my teachers any questions I was struggling with and I urge you to also do this
  • Many students forget to include the required practicals into their learning and often cram them in a day or two before their mocks: please do not do this!! Instead, use resources such as PMT to access practical methods and try to understand the importance of the steps as these can often be one or two mark questions
  • Finally for chemistry, try to do as many exam papers in timed- conditions as possible (although, do not do them in timed conditions when you initially start practising). For year 12 students with mocks fast- approaching, I recommend that you complete the AS papers and for year 13 students, do the AS and A- level papers. Repeat each paper as many times as you feel you need to do so

Geography:

  • For physical geography, I tried to understand each process (e.g. different types of erosion or how earthquakes were produced at different plate boundaries) and learn different case studies for them
  • For human geography, I learnt case studies and the different topic areas (but, also read supplementary articles given by my teacher)
  • The specification was very useful and I used that to direct my learning
  • I did edexcel, so I sat three papers as well as an NEA. paper 3 was very synoptic so, for year 13s, it is very important to grasp all the knowledge before completing those
  • In terms of NEA, please dedicate sufficient time to this (and not cram it in the February half- term of year 13 like I did- do not recommend). Even if your NEA mark is not as high as you would have liked, do not worry as your performance during the exams is more important and can outweigh the NEA mark!

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