A* Flies to the Sky, Making your Future Bright! A Level exam is coming⏳ and it's time to get more A*s.
There are some A Level exam tips💡 to help you get more A*s🌟, such as planning🗓️, reading questions carefully📖, and testing and reviewing with classmates💬.
In this article, I will give you my advice💡 on the A Level exams as well as my planning system🗓️. Let's go!
Note: This article is mainly for Cambridge International (CAIE) AS and A Level. Different awarding bodies may have different knowledge points and/or course structures.
Common Errors in A Level Exams
Firstly, I have analysed🔍 and summarised some common errors⚠️ in the exams of my chosen subjects from my experiences.
Mathematics (9709)
- Forgot to keep a suitable number of significant figures (s.f.) or decimal places (d.p.) (usually 3 s.f. (or 1 d.p. in case of angles in degrees) unless specified in the question)
- Solutions of trigonometry is outside the given range (e.g. 0° ≤ x ≤ 360°, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π )
- Forgot to state the y-coordinate when you are asked to write the coordinates.
Physics (9702)
- Forgot to keep suitable number of significant figures (s.f.) (usually ≥ 2 s.f. in general answers) (e.g. Change 6 A to 6.0 A)
- Use acceleration of gravity g = 10 m s-2 in A Level Physics exam. It is g = 9.81 m s-2. Don't be confused with 9709 Mechanics!
Computer Science (9618)
- Forgot to CLOSEFILE after using a file
- Forgot ENDPROCEDURE or ENDFUNCTION headers
- Incorrectly use between pre-condition (WHILE) and post-condition (REPEAT) loops
- Forgot to add quote marks (' or ") in characters or strings in Trace Tables.
- Forgot to add CALL when calling a procedure in pseudocode.
- Forgot to initialise variables (e.g. set to zero 0).
- Forgot to DECLARE variables, especially the Count variable for the FOR loop. For example,
My A Level Exam Tips
1. Read Questions Very Carefully
Some questions may contain trap options⚠️, especially Multiple-Choice☑️ Questions (MCQs).
When I was practising past papers, I did research🔬 about the traps🗑️ in some incorrect❌ options.
There is still an available (incorrect) option❎ even if you:
- forgot to multiply or divide by 2 (e.g. ½mv2 in Kinetic Energy),
- forgot to square or make square root of the numbers,
- forgot to change units (e.g. from cm to m📏),
- inversely interpret x- and y-axis (e.g. V-I or I-V graphs📈 of Filament Lamp and Diode),
- partially finish the question with middle values, or
- forgot to read the whole question.
Physics MCQ Trap Options
2. Keep your Desk Tidy
Another thing is to keep your desk tidy✨ to make sure you have enough space for your paper-based materials.
In 2022, I have also invented my Ideal Study Environment assumptions🛠️ (derived from Ideal Gas💨, pV=nRT, R=8.31) where I can achieve perfect productivity🌟 while studying📝. For example,
- 1. WiFi🔗 is Provided (Minimum Speed💨: 50 Mbps (6.25 MiB/s))
- 2. Enough Lights💡 and Illumination
- 3. Enough Places📦 to Put Items
- 4. Electronic Devices💻 are Allowed✅
- 5. Suitable Desk Height🪧 and Wide Desk
- 6. Comfortable Chair/Sofa🛋️
- 7. Has Charging🔋 Ports🔌
- 8. Food🥙 and Drinks☕️ are Allowed
- 9. Quiet🤫 (less than 70 dB)
- 10. Zero Distraction📵, Boredom and Tiredness😴
- 11. Versatile Decorations🌿
- 12. Can Stay for a Long Time⏳
- 13. Relaxing Music🎵🎧
- 14. No Need to Purchase💷 Items to Stay Here
- 15. Has Clocks🕘 and/or Timers⏳
- 16. (New in 2023) Has Peer Pressure👨👩👧👧 (at least 1 other person here, including staff)
My Ideal Environment Assumptions
Practise Past Papers at School
3. Don't Leave Many Tasks Until Deadline
I recommend you finish🏁 your tasks on time⏳. No matter what the deadlines📆 are, you always need to complete✅ your tasks.
If you cram💨 or leave too many tasks until deadlines📚, you will rush to make your projects finished. This will lower⬇️ the quality of your projects and so become less effective in your exams.
Review📖 your subjects, especially your upcoming exams, as soon as possible so you have sufficient time for revision as well as your big knowledge database📚.
Reduce procrastination and don't delay your today's tasks. You will have a sense of achievement🏆 by finishing all tasks today.
I usually say🚦:
Do your Tasks at a Steady Rate,
Do Not Rush or Cram,
Do Not Leave Too Many Tasks until Deadline.
My Bedroom Decoration Reminder (My Words)
4. Don't Discuss Answers Loudly After an Exam
I discovered that some students usually discuss💬 the answers with their classmates👨👩👧👧 very loudly📢 after exiting the exam room.
The exam is over⌛️, so the answers cannot be changed✏️.
If your answer is incorrect❌ when discussing answers, not only will you exert pressure😰 on yourself, but also it will affect your mood😴 for preparing for future exams.
Student A: Hello! What was your answer to Question 6 (a) (i)? My answer was 6 A (Ampere, unit of electric current).
Me: My answer was 6.0 A (Ampere). It should be 2 to 3 significant figures (s.f.).
Student A: Oh no!⚠️ I forgot the significant figures!
No matter what your feelings😀 are or what results🏅 you will get after an exam, you always need to prepare for future exams➡️ and subjects.
So, I usually forget the answers when the exam is over like clearing my brain's RAM💾 content.
My Revision Methodology
1. Plan and Check for Upcoming Exams
So, how do I plan for my exams? Well, I am using my programmed🧑🏻💻 Ken's Study Planner web app🗓️ to make plans.
Since I have programming⌨️ skills, I have made my website and the Planner app🖥️ to easily plan my study journey🚄.
The days of each exam paper for each subject are discrete🖇️, so you need to be aware⚠️ of the date for each exam.
So, I have added them to the Planner's Events🗓️ section.
I use "syllabus code / component code" to name an exam for each paper📄, like "9709/33 (Pure Maths)" and "9618/13 (CS Theory)".
An important🌟 and unique feature of my planner is that it shows how many days are left⏳ until the next exam.
The box will turn orange when there are only 7 days left, and turn red for 3 days.
Ken's Study Planner (2022 Old Interface)
Alternatively, if your school does not allow electronic devices📵, you can list them on a small piece of paper📄.
Ken's Study Planner app and other study resources🗞️ are Always Free🤑 and non-profit. You can sign up and plan🗓️ now.
I use my free time⏳ to help others along with programming⌨️ skills and knowledge🎓 like a volunteer.
2. Review Syllabuses
CAIE international exams have syllabuses📜 which illustrate the knowledge points🎓 to be tested in the exams.
You can download📥 and use the syllabuses to recall🤔 each knowledge point, finding out your missing📚 knowledge points.
The syllabuses are directly available☑️ on the CAIE official website. You can type cambridgeinternational.org/9709 on your browser🌎 (where you can change "9709" to your subjects' syllabus code like 9702 or 9618), scroll down⬇️ and download the syllabus PDF file (and List of Formulae or Data Booklet too!).
Common CAIE A Level Subject Syllabus Codes (for reference only):
- 9231: Further Mathematics
- 9618: Computer Science (9608 for old syllabus)
- 9700: Biology
- 9701: Chemistry
- 9702: Physics
- 9708: Economics
- 9709: Mathematics
You need to learn how to use official websites🌎, like using menus and downloading📥 files.
For example, you can find🔍 my other study resources like Habits🔄 on my (this) website's top⬆️ menu.
You also need this skill🌟 when you will apply to universities🏫, like checking entry subject requirements (e.g. A*AA).
CAIE 9709 Syllabus Download Options
For example, in Computer Science (9618)🖥️ syllabus, you may need to describe Abstraction and Decomposition.
So, you need to remember💭 their definitions📓 and understand these key terms🔑.
CAIE 9618 Syllabus Chapter 9
3. Review Missing Knowledge Points
After reviewing the syllabuses, you need to look at your textbook📖 and/or some online resources🌎 to review missing knowledge.
You can also recall💭 them using Active Recall while walking🚶 around the school path🛣️.
In the example above⬆️, you will know that:
- Abstraction is to filter out unnecessary information while only extracting necessary information to solve a problem.
- Decomposition is to break down a big problem into several smaller steps.
4. Practise Past Papers
You can immerse yourself into the vibe🌿 of taking exams📝 with time limits, and you will be familiar with the question types and how to answer them.
I use my study timer⏳ to limit my time, depending on the exam time limits on each paper.
9618 Past Paper Time Limit
My Study Timer
If you still have too much time⏳ at the end, you can take rest for a few minutes and then read📖 and check each question very carefully⚠️.
You also need to check☑️ the Mark Scheme because you need to know how are papers marked💯 and what types of answers are expected🌟.
For example, you still can get an M1 mark✅ after writing the correct formula (e.g. F=ma, I∝A2) even if you can't do the question.
5. Test and Review with your Classmates
I test my classmates in my free time🕓 about the knowledge we have learned.
Test Classmates with A Level Physics (9702, Sample)
Based on this methodology, I also make some question papers📄 to express my questions in a written form and test my classmates.
For example, as a Computer Science (9618)🖥️ student, I have made some question papers for my classmates.
My Computer Science (AS Level) Questions for Classmates
In 2022, I also had the same idea💡 with one of my other classmates who is a mathematics🧮 student and has also made an A Level Pure Mathematics 3 (9709/P3) question a day just before the exam.
Even if the answers and/or questions may be incorrect❌ or inaccurate⚠️, this is a studying process🌟 and they can be corrected✅ as we review them.
Sometimes, perhaps we can meet the same question types in the exam.
6. Add Stimulating Backgrounds and Decorations
I have also added a stimulating desktop background🖼️ on my laptop and a banner above my apartment bedroom door🚪 to encourage🌟 myself.
From my imagination🪄, The star (*) of A* (A Star) on the certificate🎖️ can be converted into a star in reality, emitting lights💡 in the sky☁️, leading students to a successful✅ way, and encouraging students to study hard/smart.
There are many grades in A Level exams, from A*, A, B, C, D to E, in which A* is the highest one.
That's why I usually say "A* Flies to the Sky, Making your Future Bright!" (my 2021 slogan)
A* A
Apartment A* Exam Motivation Banner (2022, AS)
Good Luck with your Exams!
The international exams (e.g. A Level) are coming soon⏳. Hope you can study diligently, get outstanding results and pick more stars🌟 from A* on your international exams! Come on!
If you would like to plan🗓️ your exams with Ken's Study Planner, you can learn more or sign up for free.
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