Tips For Revising For A-Level Exams
With January drawing to close, there are approximately 10 weeks of term time remaining between now and the start of AS and A2 levels.
While these exams are of course extremely important, especially for those with conditional university offers, they need not be daunting or overwhelming. With the right A-Level revision technique, and a little organisation and planning for the months ahead, you can make sure that you are prepared, confident and ready for these exams.
Here are 5 key guidelines to help you and your child plan for the upcoming months:
Focus on learning core content now
Ask your teacher now what remaining topics you will be covering on the syllabus for this term. Put these down in your timetable. Remember that the last month before the exams you should be revising and improving your exam technique only. You should not be learning new material. The heavy lifting of learning new content should be done this term and at the very latest over the Easter break.
Start scheduling and planning now
When planning your revision schedule for AS/A2 levels, be aware that you will need time for rest, relaxation and revision. Be realistic and include some flexibility in your schedule. Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail. To increase confidence and boost performance, a little bit of work over a longer period of time is hugely more beneficial than last minute cramming.
Effective learning and revision technique
Learn the core content while at the same time studying how these topics are examined in past papers. You can improve your exam performance by starting to work through past papers now. The best candidates at AS/A2 level don’t know the most material; they are the most adept at using what they do know effectively and efficiently.
Exam technique
Remember it is one thing to know the syllabus content and quite another to be able to apply your knowledge in an exam setting which answers the questions being asked. As the exams draw nearer, you should begin answering questions without the use of revision notes and under timed conditions.
Put time limits on your revision and reward yourself
If you tell yourself that you only have one hour to complete an assignment or to read about a new topic, you are more likely to complete it within that time period as opposed to having an open ended time limit. This is part of your A-Level revision technique. Reward yourself (for example watch an episode of your favourite show, go for a walk in the park, go for a nice meal for lunch) but only if you are able to complete your assignments on time. By giving yourself time limits and rewarding yourself, these will make your actual time studying and revising hugely more efficient.
—
At My Tutor Club we are holding AS/A2 level revision Booster courses over the Easter holidays. For more information about these courses, A-Level revision technique, university advisory or private tuition, either in-person or online, please contact us.