How I got an A* in A Level Biology. (the struggle) || Revision Tips, Resources and Advice!

A Level Biology. Wow, what an experience...

I hope you enjoy this video with tips and advice on how I somehow got an A* in A level biology (AQA!) in the UK. From revision techniques, to recommended resources, I hope you gain something! Because that mark scheme is evil.

If you feel like you're struggling, KEEP GOING! You've got this!! If you feel like there's too much content, break it down. Divide it over your time. You honestly can do it. Just keep consolidating, blurting, doing past paper Qs and most of all, not giving up. :)

[vanessanowak]

Biology isn’t even hard it’s just there’s SO MUCH CONTENT and the mark schemes are soooo specific

[elliephillips]

fancy doing a “how to learn the whole Alevel biology syllabus in a week” video?

asking for a friend

[yasminrei]

So basically...

1. *Print out specification*
- tick off things you know already
- focus on problem areas
- ASK YOUR TEACHER to explain things you don’t understand

2. *Make Flashcards*
- condense notes into summarised ones

3. *‘Blurting’ (regurgitating) out notes*
- make a MindMap
- write down everything you know on an area
- complete your fact-‘blurt’ to a textbook
- associate facts with objects and diagram to help memorise things
- watch online Videos (e.g. Tailored Tutors, Biology Carol)

4. *PAST PAPER QUESTIONS.*
- whether it’s the old or new spec
- do questions from back of textbook
- analyse why you lost the marks
- reword markscheme answers into notes
- be specific

5. *Synoptic Essay*
- get your teacher to choose random topics
- plan random essays in under 5 mins
- show everything you know
- get teacher to mark it
- make sure to go in depth and have a wide range of ideas
- you will need information which isn’t in the spec to help you
- pay attention to the question, if it’s to ‘compare’ you must do that
- book: AQA Synoptic Essays
- magazine: Biology Science Review

6. *Last-minute CRAM sheet*
- prepare a piece of paper to go over the exam
- don’t cram everything on the day, just calmly look over

*GOOD LUCK EVERYONE*

[ruthadeleke]

Guys if it's a compare question, use "er" words. E.g. fastER. The mark scheme is so harsh on this. They won't accept you saying that one thing is just fast.

[philippaettrick]

"If you don't know what A levels are...lucky you." 😂 I died.

[DanielDuffield]

"Biology is tough, but YOU ARE tougher!" I love that!! Going into tomorrow's A&P exam confident, and reminding myself not to stress over it! Thank you so much for this, Jade!

[tillylilly]

these techniques helped me progress from getting a C in my mock in February to an A* in my actual exam, thank you so much!

[artbyyours]

*crying internally* and my exams aren’t even until next year

[Bittruth]

Hi, last October November session I got 115/130 in biology AS and here are my tips:-
1- make notes on the markscheme
2- Memorize specific processes from the markscheme (respiration or DNA replication)
3- solve 10 years worth of pastpapers for example from 2010 till now
4- each time you study a topic solve a question on that topic to solidify your info on it
5- memorize markschemes for paper 3 the practical as some things can be repeated again and again
6- keep doing active recall so not to forget all the info you memorizing

But the most important tip is the markschemes so focus on them. Hope this helps guys :))

[spooky_starbuck]

I find A Level resources really hard to find compared to GCSEs and find the revision techniques required are so different. Thank you so much for this video, I'm only a first year biology student, but with exams coming up, this is really helpful and has provided me with the much needed motivation to believe in myself. Thank you 🍃🌿

[Tess-kytq]

Whenever i listen to Jade i swear my brain grows.

[lilsassybone]

1. Print yo specs
->check and colorcode the spec
2. REVISION TECHNIQUES:
-Flashcards: summarise, specific wording, diagrams, questions
-Blurting: write anything u rmb abt a chapter actively without notes
-Object association
3. Online resources
4. Past papers
->analyse the papers ANY PAPERS
->combined your mark scheme to your notes
5. Synoptic papers
->timing
->planning
6. Learn things outside from syllabus
7.Be SPECIFIC on mark scheme wordings
8. Pay attention to keywords in question
9. Consolidate chapters
10. Do Practical

GOOD LUCK DOODSSSS ;333

[eloise]

I’m in year 12 and have been struggling with biology since I started. This vid was so so useful thank you so much Jade!!🧡🧡🧡

[nisaahussein]

I'm sitting my official A level biology next year thanks for these tips❤❤

[beyondtheblackboard-alevel]

05:40- Biggest point for me. Always check why are you losing the marks! There will be themes so always check the mark scheme and analyse. Is it the type of questions (Apply / Evaluate / Describe)? Is it your knowledge base earlier in the year? Is it the 6 markers? Is it practicals? Knowing this will give you the insights you need to fix and track

[sivvanikrish]

Im doing my A level biology in Nov( im frm singapore) and you really helped me get a D grade from a U grade last year!! Now im working to get a B atleast for my semester exams! This video actually made me more motivated to do better thank you so much Jade!!!

[hannahhamad]

1. Print out specification
- tick off things you know already
- focus on problem areas
- ASK YOUR TEACHER to explain things you don’t understand

2. Make Flashcards
- condense notes into summarised ones

3. ‘Blurting’ (regurgitating) out notes
- make a MindMap
- write down everything you know on an area
- complete your fact-‘blurt’ to a textbook
- associate facts with objects and diagram to help memorise things
- watch online Videos (e.g. Tailored Tutors, Biology Carol)

4. PAST PAPER QUESTIONS.
- whether it’s the old or new spec
- do questions from back of textbook
- analyse why you lost the marks
- reword markscheme answers into notes
- be specific

5. Synoptic Essay
- get your teacher to choose random topics
- plan random essays in under 5 mins
- show everything you know
- get teacher to mark it
- make sure to go in depth and have a wide range of ideas
- you will need information which isn’t in the spec to help you
- pay attention to the question, if it’s to ‘compare’ you must do that
- book: AQA Synoptic Essays
- magazine: Biology Science Review

6. Last-minute CRAM sheet
- prepare a piece of paper to go over the exam
- don’t cram everything on the day, just calmly look over

[beasideas]

How can you be so amazing? You're such a beauty, soo smart and have amazing videos... I love you channel so much

[matty_lq]

Who else liked the vid as soon as they clicked on it?

[maffanb]

Biology Exam Ocr Combined, Like = hard, Comment = easy