What Are the Best Tips for a-Level Revision?

The best tips for A-level revision are for one to set a revision schedule, use mnemonics and other techniques to aid memory and use revision material and practice tests where possible. As well as this, notes made in class can be invaluable for remembering what was discussed in lessons in greater detail. There are many different techniques and tips available online to aid A-level revision, and many websites have detailed subject guides that can help students come to grips with the key modules that will appear on the exams.

A-levels are qualifications taken by British students who generally are age 16-18. The mark for most courses is made up of a combination of coursework and examination scores, but exams often account for a significant majority of the grade. This makes revision very important, because the grades that students gain on their A-levels are directly used to determine eligibility for university degree programs.

Using classroom notes is a vital part of A-level revision. The work done in classes throughout the year should be enough to prepare students for their exams, and referring to notes can help jog more detailed memories of the content of classes. This obviously depends on the quality of notes taken, but if the student has paid attention throughout the lessons, he or she can revise the course content based on work that they have already done.

Revision schedules are extremely useful during A-level revision. A revision schedule enables students to stay on top of their workload and helps avoid last-minute revision binges that generally result in overworking and tiredness. Students should make a manageable schedule that covers all of their revision and leaves spare time to relax each day. Overworking is likely to affect morale and comprehension of the entire course of revision.

Students can use memory techniques and mnemonics to aid memory. Mnemonics are word-replacement devices that can be extremely useful during A-level revision. For example, the names of the planets can easily be remembered using the mnemonic “my vet eats moldy jam sandwiches under newspaper,” which can help jog the memory of the actual list of planets by giving the first letters of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Devices like this and other memory techniques such as cue cards, rhymes and mind maps can help revision.

There is a wealth of information that can help with A-level revision available online. For most courses, there is a detailed rundown of the content of the course, which can be combined with students’ own notes for better comprehension of the material. There are also many practice tests that can be used to check understanding.

It is also important for students to think about themselves during the revision process. The panic of an impending exam can drive many students to lose sleep, not eat or drink enough and never give themselves a break. A great tip for revision is for students to make time for breaks and be sure to get enough sleep.