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AQA revision materials to pass your exams
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Can you believe we’re finally here? It’s been a while in the making but now it’s time to prepare for your AQA A-Level assessment! Preparing for and writing on AQA A-level chemistry can be a daunting prospect, but with the right balance of responsibility, discipline and planning it can be a positive time in your life. Here’s what you need to know about succeeding in AQA A-level Chemistry, how best to prepare for it, and how we can help you.
The A-levels are largely standardised across the various examination boards, but there are still some variations to be found. Knowing what these variations are can help you in your examination preparation because you’ll be able to exercise your strengths and build up areas of weakness. The AQAs differ from other examination boards because the questions tend to be more theory-based rather than the more context- and practical-based material of the OCRs. Understanding this will help you focus your attention when studying.
To give you a brief overview of the history of the AQAs, through a series of mergers of exam boards starting in 1992, the AQA or Assessment and Qualification Alliance emerged in 2000. Performing well in your AQA A-level exams is crucial to your higher education ambitions. An E-grade is considered a pass, however, it’s important to understand that this will pull down your overall average.
Performing well with your AQA A-level chemistry is getting your planning and support right. Talk to your teachers, parents, guardians and peers about your concerns for this time and ways in which you feel you need to be encouraged and supported so that you can manage your responsibilities healthily. While studying is important, don’t forget to include the other important stuff too, such as healthy eating, exercise, downtime and stress management.
Planning and organisation is the next most important element for great AQA A-level chemistry results. Start by creating a study plan that covers your required subjects and gives you sufficient time to dedicate to each area. It’s best practice to review your material in its entirety at least four times before writing your exam. To avoid bottlenecks that can cause stress, skipping or cramming, make sure you allocate enough preparation time and stick to it.
To get maximum benefit from your study time, three to four hours a day should be dedicated to revision so that deep learning can take place. Don’t overdo it with the studying either, as it’s important to enjoy other activities too.
Concentration is like a muscle so in order to avoid fatigue when revising, stick to 40-minute to 1-hour blocks of focused concentration. Then, take five or 10-minute breaks to refresh yourself with a glass of water, a healthy snack and some physical activity. Don’t be fooled into thinking that stimulants like coffee and energy drinks will help you focus - they can do quite the opposite.
Concentration is a skill and it can take time to get into the zone. Don’t ruin your study efforts with distractions like the Internet, social media, mobile devices or TV. If you struggle with concentration, turn your distractions into rewards that you can only get if you complete your set daily goals. Your environment should also be conducive to studying. Avoid noisy areas and make sure there’s enough light and ventilation. Leverage the power of positive affirmations and visualising your success before each study session begins.
Part of revision success is in finding a study technique that works best for you. It’s important to keep the brain engaged when revising, so rather than simply reading passively, include activities such as note-making, creating key cards or mind maps.
As you proceed with your revision, bring past papers into your preparation. They’re an important tool as they’ll help you pinpoint where you need to focus your attention and on the number, kinds and styles of questions asked in an AQA A-level chemistry paper, as well as train you with time management so you’re not rushed or caught short.
We at A-level Chemistry are rooting for your success and we’ve got loads of materials such as quizzes, mind maps and past papers to help you achieve. Let’s get started!
