How to get an A* in A-Level chemistry - The FULL revision strategy to go from D to A* | SEA

SEA - Chemistry
28 Aug 202210:42
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis video offers a comprehensive study strategy for students preparing for exams, particularly for chemistry and physics. The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting revision at least three months in advance and shares their personal journey from a disappointing 'D' grade to nearly achieving an 'A*'. The strategy involves creating a detailed spreadsheet to assess knowledge gaps, using Anki flashcards for memorization, and practicing past papers. The speaker also advises on when to start making Anki decks and the significance of understanding and remembering content before attempting exam questions. The video is aimed at students in the early stages of their academic year, advocating for early and consistent application of the method for the best results.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The video is a follow-up to a TikTok video, providing a more detailed explanation of revision strategies for exams.
  • ⏳ The suggested revision techniques require at least three months before exams, making it unsuitable for those with exams in two weeks.
  • 📈 The speaker believes that it's possible to significantly improve grades, even from a D or E, with the right revision strategies.
  • 📝 The speaker used a spreadsheet to track what they knew and didn't know, which is linked in the video description.
  • 🔍 To begin revision, one should establish a clear understanding of the syllabus and rate their knowledge of each topic.
  • 📚 Learning involves using a variety of resources such as YouTube, textbooks, and notes to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
  • 📝 After understanding a topic, the speaker recommends taking detailed but concise notes and turning them into questions.
  • 📲 The Anki app is recommended for creating flashcard decks to help with long-term memory retention.
  • 👨‍🏫 Speaking to teachers or classmates can be helpful if resources are insufficient or if further clarification is needed.
  • 📝 The Anki method involves creating decks for each specification point and reviewing them regularly based on difficulty.
  • 📚 Past papers are crucial for exam preparation, but they should not be attempted until the content is well understood.
  • 🕒 Towards the end of the revision period, doing entire past papers under timed conditions is recommended to simulate exam conditions.
Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the video mentioned in the transcript?

    -The purpose of the video is to provide a more detailed explanation of the revision strategies and techniques for A-Level Chemistry that the speaker briefly covered in a previous TikTok video.

  • What is the prerequisite time frame suggested for implementing the revision strategies discussed in the video?

    -The revision strategies and techniques require at least three months before the exams, making them more suitable for those who are in the early stages of their final year.

  • According to the speaker, what was their initial performance in their Physics mock exams?

    -The speaker initially scored a total of 31 out of 80 on paper one and 30 out of 80 on paper two, which equates to a grade D at the end of year 13.

  • How did the speaker's performance change after applying the revision strategies?

    -The speaker improved significantly, getting two marks off an A* in their real A-Level Physics exam, and believes they may have been robbed of three marks, which are currently being remarked.

  • What tool does the speaker recommend for establishing what has been learned and what hasn't?

    -The speaker recommends using a spreadsheet to figure out what has been covered in lessons and to rate their understanding of each topic.

  • How does the speaker suggest students should approach learning or relearning topics they are unfamiliar with?

    -The speaker suggests watching YouTube videos, reading textbooks, finding notes on their website, and discussing with teachers or classmates to gain a thorough understanding of the topics.

  • What is the role of the Anki app in the speaker's revision strategy?

    -The Anki app is used to create flashcard decks for each specification point, helping the student commit information to long-term memory through spaced repetition.

  • How should students approach past paper exam questions according to the video?

    -Students should attempt past paper exam questions after they have finished learning and creating Anki decks for a specific specification point, especially as exams approach.

  • What is the recommended timing for doing entire past papers in preparation for the real exams?

    -The speaker recommends starting to do entire past papers about six weeks before the exams, especially if they have been consistently using the Anki method.

  • What is the speaker's final advice on the difficulty and commitment required for the revision strategy?

    -The speaker acknowledges that the strategy is difficult and requires hard work and patience, but emphasizes that it is effective, as evidenced by their own results.

  • How can viewers provide feedback or suggest content for the speaker's YouTube channel?

    -Viewers can provide feedback or suggest content by commenting below the video or sending an email, with the website also provided in the description.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Comprehensive Revision Strategy for A-Level Success

The speaker introduces a detailed revision strategy for A-Level exams, emphasizing that it requires at least three months of preparation. They share their personal transformation from a low grade to nearly achieving an A*, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The first step involves using a spreadsheet to assess knowledge gaps in chemistry and physics. The speaker guides viewers on how to self-assess their understanding of each topic and suggests using AQA's specification for reference. They also highlight the importance of establishing a solid foundation of knowledge before moving on to practice exams.

05:02
🧠 Enhancing Memory Retention with Anki Flashcards

The speaker explains the process of converting concise notes into questions for Anki flashcards, a digital flashcard app that aids in long-term memory retention. They demonstrate how to create and organize decks for each specification point and how to rate the difficulty of each question to optimize review intervals. The speaker also advises on the timing for creating these flashcards, recommending that they be made immediately after learning a new topic. Additionally, they stress the importance of past paper practice and suggest a gradual increase in the intensity of exam practice as exams approach.

10:03
🏆 Achieving Top Grades with Perseverance and Strategy

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker motivates viewers by asserting that with dedication and the right strategy, achieving top grades in chemistry, one of the most challenging A-Level subjects, is possible. They encourage viewers to start the revision process early and to maintain consistency. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty and tedium of the process but emphasizes the rewarding outcome of excelling in exams. They invite feedback and suggestions for the YouTube channel and express gratitude for viewers' engagement.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Revision Strategies
Revision strategies refer to the systematic approaches one can take to prepare for exams effectively. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a structured revision plan, especially for students who are months away from their exams. The video's theme revolves around a detailed method to improve grades, which is exemplified by the speaker's own academic turnaround.
💡TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform known for its short-form videos. In the context of the script, it is mentioned as the platform where the speaker initially shared content, which received positive feedback but also prompted requests for a more in-depth explanation, leading to the creation of the current video.
💡A Level
A Levels, short for Advanced Levels, are a type of secondary education qualification in the UK and other countries. The video discusses strategies specifically tailored for students preparing for A Level exams, indicating the high stakes and the rigorous nature of these exams.
💡Specification Points
Specification points refer to the individual topics or learning objectives outlined in an educational syllabus. The speaker instructs viewers to identify and evaluate their understanding of each specification point, which is a foundational step in the revision strategy presented in the video.
💡Anki
Anki is a flashcard application that uses spaced repetition to help users memorize information efficiently. The script describes how the speaker used Anki to create personalized flashcard decks for each specification point, which was a key component of their revision strategy and contributed to their academic improvement.
💡Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a learning technique where information is reviewed at increasing intervals over time, which helps to move the information from short-term to long-term memory. The Anki app mentioned in the video uses this method to enhance memory retention, which is crucial for the revision process discussed.
💡Understanding vs. Memorization
The video distinguishes between understanding concepts and memorizing them. Understanding is emphasized as the first step in learning, where the speaker advises watching videos, reading textbooks, and consulting notes to grasp the material. Memorization, facilitated by Anki, is the subsequent step to ensure the information is retained for exams.
💡Self-Assessment
Self-assessment is the process of evaluating one's own knowledge or skills. In the script, the speaker talks about rating oneself on the understanding of each specification point, which is essential for identifying areas that need more focus during revision.
💡Mock Exams
Mock exams are practice tests that simulate the conditions of the actual exams. The speaker shares their experience with a physics mock exam, where they scored poorly but used it as a motivator to improve their study methods, ultimately leading to a significant grade improvement.
💡End of Year Mark
The end of year mark typically refers to the final grade or assessment given at the end of an academic year. The script mentions the speaker's initial low end of year mark in Year 12, which contrasts with their improved performance by the end of Year 13, showcasing the effectiveness of the revision strategy.
💡Past Paper Exam Questions
Past paper exam questions are actual questions from previous years' exams. The video suggests that while these are essential for practicing exam techniques, they should be approached only after the content has been thoroughly learned and memorized, as part of the comprehensive revision strategy.
Highlights

Introduction of a detailed video covering points raised in a previous TikTok video.

Revision strategies and techniques require at least three months before exams.

The video is aimed at students in the first few months of year 13, emphasizing early start.

Personal story of improvement from a D to an A* in physics through effective revision.

Use of a spreadsheet to establish what has been learned and what needs revision.

Link to the exact spreadsheet used for tracking revision progress provided.

Importance of self-rating knowledge on specification points for effective revision.

Explanation of how to use the AQA specification for A Level Chemistry for self-assessment.

The process of learning or relearning topics in order of difficulty.

Recommendation to use YouTube videos, textbooks, and notes for understanding.

Advice on taking detailed but concise notes to solidify understanding.

Introduction of Anki app for converting notes into flashcards for memorization.

Demonstration of creating Anki flashcard decks and the review process.

Emphasis on creating Anki decks as soon as a specification point is learned.

Importance of past paper exam questions for A Level success.

Guidance on when to start practicing exam questions based on the Anki strategy.

Advice on doing entire past papers under timed conditions closer to exams.

Acknowledgment of the difficulty and hard work required by the revision strategy.

Encouragement and motivation for students to apply the method for potential A* results.

Invitation for feedback and suggestions for the YouTube channel.

Transcripts

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