How I went from a D to an A* in my A Levels (From a retake student)
TLDRIn this educational video, Sarmad shares his personal journey of retaking his A-levels and the strategies that led to a significant improvement in his grades. Initially achieving a B in Biology, a C in Chemistry, and a D in Maths, he was unable to secure a university place. After a gap year and the cancellation of exams due to the pandemic, Sarmad retook his exams in October 2020, achieving top grades. He offers seven key pieces of advice for effective revision, including finding a suitable study space, utilizing the exam specification, setting long-term and short-term goals, employing active recall techniques, practicing with past papers, managing distractions, and maintaining a positive mindset. Sarmad's experience and tips aim to guide and motivate students who are preparing for their A-levels or considering retakes.
Takeaways
- 🎓 Sarmad retook his A-levels to improve his grades after not getting into his preferred university choices with his initial results.
- 📚 His initial A-level results in 2019 were a B in Biology, a C in Chemistry, and a D in Maths.
- 🚫 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exams were cancelled in May 2020, and Sarmad's exams were postponed to October 2020.
- 🔄 Sarmad experienced a significant improvement in his grades, going from a D to an A* in Maths and a C to an A in Chemistry.
- 📝 He emphasizes the importance of finding a suitable and dedicated place to revise to minimize distractions.
- 📋 Sarmad advises making use of the specification as a checklist to ensure all exam content is covered and to filter out unnecessary information.
- 🗓 He recommends setting long-term and short-term goals for revision planning, which helped him stay on track and motivated.
- 🧠 Active recall techniques, such as mind mapping, were effective for Sarmad's revision process, as they help with information retention.
- ✅ Past papers are crucial for revision, and understanding the mark schemes can significantly improve exam performance.
- 📱 Managing distractions, such as phone usage, is key to maintaining focus during revision.
- 💡 A positive mindset and attitude towards revision are essential for success, and trying different techniques can help find what works best for each individual.
Q & A
What were Sarmad's initial A-Level results in the summer of 2019?
-Sarmad received a B in Biology, a C in Chemistry, and a D in Maths in his initial A-Level results in the summer of 2019.
What did Sarmad decide to do after not getting into his preferred university choices with his initial A-Level results?
-After not getting into his preferred university choices, Sarmad decided to retake his A-Level exams as a retake student in the following year, which was May 2020.
How did the coronavirus pandemic affect Sarmad's A-Level exams in May 2020?
-The coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of Sarmad's A-Level exams in May 2020. His exams were then postponed to October 2020.
What was Sarmad's final outcome after retaking his A-Level exams in October 2020?
-After retaking his A-Level exams in October 2020, Sarmad achieved A* grades in both Chemistry and Maths, and he maintained his B in Biology from 2019.
What is the main purpose of Sarmad's video?
-The main purpose of Sarmad's video is to share his experience and provide advice on how to improve A-Level results, based on his personal journey and the strategies he applied during his revision.
What is the first piece of advice Sarmad gives for effective revision?
-The first piece of advice Sarmad gives is to find a suitable and dedicated place to revise, which helps minimize distractions.
Why is the A-Level specification important according to Sarmad?
-The A-Level specification is important because it contains every piece of information that will come up in the exams, helping students focus on relevant content.
What is the significance of long-term and short-term goals in Sarmad's revision strategy?
-Long-term and short-term goals are significant in Sarmad's revision strategy as they help him stay on track with his revision plan, ensuring he is always making progress towards his overall revision objectives.
What revision technique did Sarmad find most effective for his studies?
-Sarmad found mind mapping to be the most effective revision technique for him, as it allowed him to actively recall information without being as time-consuming as copying from textbooks.
How does Sarmad approach past papers in his revision process?
-Sarmad approaches past papers by not only completing them but also studying the mark schemes thoroughly, reviewing both correct and incorrect answers to understand the reasoning and to expand his knowledge.
What is Sarmad's advice on managing distractions during revision?
-Sarmad advises managing distractions by keeping them at bay during revision time but also making time to check them throughout the day to avoid the urge to use them constantly.
How did Sarmad's mindset change from his initial A-Level attempt to his retake?
-Sarmad's mindset changed from a naive perspective of being able to waffle his way through A-Levels to a more serious and dedicated approach, understanding the hard work required to achieve good grades.
What is Sarmad's suggestion for finding the right revision technique?
-Sarmad suggests trying out different revision techniques, including those shared by others who have achieved good grades, and then self-assessing to find out what works best for the individual.
What role did the iPad play in Sarmad's revision process and why does he want to make a video about it?
-The iPad played a significant role in Sarmad's revision process by making it easier and more organized. He wants to make a video about it because he believes it revolutionized his entire revision process and he hopes to share how it can benefit others.
Outlines
🎓 Sarmad's A-Level Experience and Improvement Strategy
Sarmad introduces his video discussing his A-Level journey, where he initially received a B in Biology, a C in Chemistry, and a D in Maths in the summer of 2019. This led him to retake his exams in May 2020, which were postponed to October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being on a second gap year, Sarmad managed to achieve top grades in his subjects and shares his experience to help others improve their A-Level results. He emphasizes the importance of finding a suitable revision place and using the specification as a guide, which he believes were crucial to his success.
📝 Effective Revision Planning and Techniques
In this section, Sarmad talks about the importance of planning for effective revision. He suggests setting long-term and short-term goals, with the former being a general aim for a certain period and the latter being a minimum daily plan that often leads to exceeding the set targets. He also discusses various revision techniques, such as active recall through mind mapping, which he found to be more efficient than passive note-taking. Sarmad shares his daily revision routine, which includes reading the specification, using exercise books, creating mind maps, and practicing with online questions. He also mentions the Pomodoro technique, which he personally did not find effective, and encourages viewers to find what works best for them.
📚 Utilizing Past Papers and Mark Schemes for A-Level Success
Sarmad highlights the significance of past papers in A-Level preparation but emphasizes the need to use them effectively. He recommends studying the mark schemes after completing each paper to understand the reasoning behind correct and incorrect answers. By reviewing the mark schemes, he was able to expand his knowledge and grasp the full scope of potential exam questions. Sarmad advises to only attempt past papers after thorough revision and to use them as a tool for identifying knowledge gaps and reinforcing learning.
🚫 Managing Distractions and Maintaining the Right Mindset
The final part of Sarmad's video focuses on managing distractions and maintaining a positive mindset during revision. He shares personal strategies for dealing with the temptation to use his phone, such as keeping it out of sight. Sarmad also discusses the importance of taking breaks and incorporating leisure time into the revision schedule to avoid burnout. He concludes by reflecting on his change in attitude from a naive approach to A-Levels to a more serious and dedicated mindset, which he believes was pivotal in achieving his improved results.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡A Levels
💡Retake
💡Clearing
💡Coronavirus Pandemic
💡Gap Year
💡Revision
💡Specification
💡Mind Maps
💡Past Papers
💡Mark Scheme
💡Distraction Management
💡Mindset
Highlights
Sarmad discusses his initial A Level results and the decision to retake exams.
Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the cancellation of exams and subsequent postponement to October 2020.
Sarmad's strategy of retaking exams and the necessity of a second gap year.
Achievement of top grades (A* in Maths and AS in Chemistry) after retaking exams.
Sarmad's approach to sharing his results and the subsequent questions from others about his improvement.
Introduction of a YouTube video to share revision strategies and advice for A Level students.
Importance of finding a dedicated place to revise and the benefits of a consistent study environment.
Utilization of the specification as a guide and its role in Sarmad's improved revision process.
The significance of creating an effective revision plan with long-term and short-term goals.
Sarmad's personal revision techniques, including active recall through mind mapping.
The role of past papers in revision and the strategy of reviewing mark schemes.
Managing distractions during revision and the importance of self-discipline.
The shift in mindset and attitude towards revision as a key factor in Sarmad's success.
Advice on trying different revision techniques to find what works best for the individual.
Sarmad's intention to create more videos on subject-specific revision strategies.
The potential of using an iPad to revolutionize the revision process and plans for a future video on this topic.
Closing remarks encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and ask questions for further interaction.
Transcripts
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