It’s been many months in the making, but now it’s time to prepare for your EdExcel A-Level chemistry assessment! Preparing for and writing on EdExcel A-level chemistry can seem like a daunting prospect, but provided you strike the right balance with planning, discipline and accountability, it can be a great life experience. We’ve put together some useful information for succeeding in EdExcel A-level Chemistry, how best to prepare for it, and how we can help you.
The A-levels are more or less standardised across the different exam boards, with the main differences coming in with the style of questions. Understanding how EdExcels are written will help you work on your strengths and weaknesses so you can get the best possible marks. EdExcel primarily differs from other exam boards with more attention on multiple choice questions. This makes quizzes particularly useful in your exam prep.
A brief overview of the EdExcel exam board is that over a number of years, beginning in 1991, the University of London School Examinations Board merged with the London and East Anglian Group. A few more mergers occurred over the years and EdExcel officially emerged in 2003. It’s the only exam board run by a profit-making company, Pearson. Performing well in your EdExcel A-level exams is crucial to your higher education goals. 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 EdExcel A-level chemistry lies in getting your planning and support right. Have conversations with your parents, peers and teachers about the different ways you can feel motivated and supported, while managing your responsibilities healthily. Studying is very important during this time, but so is including healthy eating, exercise, downtime and stress management.
Proper planning organisation is central to EdExcel A-level chemistry success. Right when you begin revising, creating a study plan that covers your required topics and gives you sufficient time to dedicate to each area. It’s a good idea to go over all your material a minimum of four times before writing your exam. Bottlenecks will create stress and lead you to skip material or cram, both of which aren’t effective for retaining information.
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!
