How I got an A* in A-level Maths & Further Maths | Revision Tips & Tricks for 2024

Kieron Andrews
25 Feb 202411:46
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, Kieran shares his top tips for acing A Level maths and further maths exams. He emphasizes the importance of understanding topics through YouTube tutorials, practicing questions actively to develop problem-solving skills, and using resources like MME for additional practice. Kieran also stresses the need to identify and focus on weak areas, utilizing teachers for guidance. He highlights the benefits of using a calculator effectively and encourages viewers not to be too harsh on themselves when they make mistakes. Finally, he advises staying hydrated for better focus and performance, summarizing his tips for achieving top marks in A Level maths.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š Learn and understand the math topics through YouTube videos, which are accessible and abundant.
  • 🧐 Actively engage with the material by pausing videos to attempt questions before seeing the solution.
  • πŸ” Develop problem-solving skills by comparing your methods with those of the teachers in the videos.
  • πŸ“ˆ Utilize various YouTube channels like bison maths, T maths, and AJ maths for comprehensive learning.
  • πŸ“‰ Practice is key in math; the more you practice, the better your memory retention through active recall.
  • πŸ“ Identify and focus on your weak areas by being honest with yourself about your performance.
  • πŸ‘¨β€πŸ« Seek guidance from teachers, who are there to help and support your learning.
  • πŸ“š Use textbooks and exam specifications to track and understand your weak topics.
  • ⏱ Practice past papers under timed conditions to manage exam stress and improve time management skills.
  • πŸ“Š Watch walkthrough videos on YouTube for past papers to understand where you went wrong and how to improve.
  • πŸ”’ Learn to use a calculator effectively, as it can be a powerful tool for solving and checking math problems.
  • πŸ€— Be kind to yourself and embrace making mistakes as part of the learning process.
  • πŸ’§ Stay hydrated to improve focus, memory, and overall cognitive function during revision and exams.
Q & A

  • What did Kieran achieve in his A Level exams for Maths and Further Maths?

    -Kieran achieved an A grade in both Maths and Further Maths A Level exams.

  • What is Kieran's main advice for learning Maths effectively?

    -Kieran suggests learning Maths through YouTube videos, where he recommends pausing the video before the solution is shown to attempt the question yourself.

  • How does Kieran recommend developing problem-solving skills in Maths?

    -He recommends attempting questions before watching the solution, which helps in training oneself to read questions properly and practice problem-solving.

  • What are some of the YouTube channels Kieran mentions for Maths learning?

    -Kieran mentions channels like bison maths, T maths, gcsc maths, and AJ maths as useful resources for learning Maths.

  • What is the importance of practicing questions in Maths according to Kieran?

    -Practicing questions is key in Maths as it helps in memorizing the concepts and techniques, which Kieran refers to as active recall, a very effective study technique.

  • What website does Kieran recommend for finding Maths practice questions?

    -Kieran recommends websites like physics and math sh, math J, and mme for finding Maths practice questions.

  • Why is it important to identify and focus on weak topics in Maths?

    -Identifying weak topics helps in focusing efforts on areas that need improvement, which is crucial for overall success in the subject.

  • How can students track their weaknesses in Maths according to the video?

    -Students can track their weaknesses by laying out all topics, highlighting the weak ones, and using textbooks or exam board specifications to identify areas for improvement.

  • What role do teachers play in a student's learning process as per Kieran's experience?

    -Teachers play a crucial role not only in teaching but also in guiding students. Kieran suggests asking teachers for help and clarification on difficult topics.

  • Why is it beneficial to practice past papers under exam conditions?

    -Practicing past papers under exam conditions helps with exam stress and time management, preparing students for the actual exam environment.

  • How can students benefit from using a calculator effectively in Maths?

    -A calculator can be used not only for basic operations but also for more complex functions like integration, differentiation, and solving quadratic equations, which can be beneficial for both answering and checking answers.

  • What is Kieran's advice on dealing with incorrect answers during practice?

    -Kieran advises not to be harsh on oneself for getting questions wrong, but to understand where the mistake was made and learn from it.

  • What is the final tip Kieran gives for success in A Level Maths exams?

    -Kieran's final tip is to stay hydrated, which can improve focus, memory, and overall performance during revision and exams.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Mastering Maths with YouTube and Active Recall

In this paragraph, Kieran shares his experience of achieving top grades in Maths and Further Maths A Levels. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the topic matter and suggests using YouTube as a primary learning tool. Kieran recommends pausing videos to attempt questions independently before comparing solutions with the teacher's method. He highlights the effectiveness of active recall, which involves practicing questions without relying on solutions, to strengthen memory retention. Kieran also mentions several YouTube channels and resources, such as 'bison maths', 'T maths', 'gcsc maths', 'AJ maths', and 'mme', which offer comprehensive playlists and predicted papers for exam preparation.

05:01
πŸ€“ Utilizing Teachers and Past Papers for Success

Kieran advises students to take full advantage of their teachers' expertise, as they can provide guidance and clarify doubts, particularly in weak areas. He shares a personal anecdote about how seeking help from his teacher improved his performance in Further Mechanics. The paragraph also stresses the importance of practicing past papers under exam conditions to manage time effectively and reduce exam stress. Kieran suggests using YouTube walkthroughs for past papers to understand where mistakes were made and to learn correct methods. Additionally, he introduces the concept of using a calculator not only for computation but also for checking answers, which can be a significant advantage during exams.

10:03
πŸ’ͺ Overcoming Challenges and Staying Hydrated for Exam Success

In the final paragraph, Kieran encourages students to be honest about their weaknesses and to focus on improving them. He advises using YouTube to learn methods for weak topics and practicing them until they become strengths. Kieran also emphasizes the importance of not being too harsh on oneself when making mistakes, viewing them as opportunities to learn and improve. He concludes with the importance of staying hydrated, which can enhance focus, memory, and decision-making skills, and encourages viewers to bring water to exams. Kieran wraps up by summarizing the key tips for achieving high grades in Maths and Further Maths A Levels, including using teachers as resources, practicing past papers, learning to use a calculator effectively, and maintaining a positive attitude towards learning.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘A Levels
A Levels, short for Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, are a type of school leaving qualification in the UK. They are a significant part of the video's theme as the speaker, Kieran, discusses his experience of achieving high grades in Maths and Further Maths A Levels and shares tips for preparation. The script mentions 'I sat my A levels in maths and further maths', highlighting the central focus of the video.
πŸ’‘YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing platform that the video script suggests as a learning resource for Maths. Kieran recommends using YouTube to access educational content, specifically 'YouTube learning through YouTube videos', to understand various Maths topics. It's a key concept as it exemplifies modern, accessible learning methods that the video promotes.
πŸ’‘Problem Solving
Problem solving is a crucial skill in Maths and is a central theme in the video. Kieran emphasizes the importance of developing problem-solving skills by 'tempting questions before actually seeing the solution' and 'practicing questions'. This approach helps in 'training yourself to read the question properly', which is vital for exam success.
πŸ’‘Active Recall
Active recall is a study technique mentioned in the script as an effective way to learn and retain information. It involves 'answering questions without any help of solutions or guides', which Kieran suggests is beneficial for 'strengthening memory retention'. The script illustrates this concept as a key strategy for mastering Maths topics.
πŸ’‘Practice
Practice is a recurring theme in the video, with Kieran emphasizing its importance in mastering Maths. He states that 'practice practice practice practice practice on the topic that you just learned' and 'practice anything, just practice'. Practice is presented as a fundamental method for reinforcing learning and improving Maths skills.
πŸ’‘Weaknesses
Identifying and addressing weaknesses is a key point in the video. Kieran advises students to be 'very honest with yourself' about their weak areas, such as certain Maths topics, and to 'focus on the weak topics'. The script suggests using resources like textbooks and exam specifications to track and improve upon these areas.
πŸ’‘Teachers
Teachers play a supportive role in the video's narrative, with Kieran encouraging students to 'use your teachers' for guidance. He shares a personal experience where a teacher helped him understand a weak topic in 'further mechanics'. Teachers are portrayed as valuable resources for learning and improvement.
πŸ’‘Past Papers
Past papers are an essential part of exam preparation according to the video. Kieran mentions that he 'did all of my past paper questions' under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam experience. This practice helps with 'exam stress time management' and is a strategy he recommends for academic and mental preparation.
πŸ’‘Calculator
The use of a calculator is highlighted in the video as a valuable tool for Maths students. Kieran discusses the various functions of a calculator, such as 'integrate, differentiate', and solve equations, emphasizing its utility not only for answering questions but also for checking answers, which can be a significant advantage during exams.
πŸ’‘Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is presented as an important tip for maintaining focus and alertness during revision and exams. Kieran repeatedly mentions the benefits of hydration, such as improved memory, decision-making, and attention, suggesting that it can enhance exam performance and overall cognitive function.
Highlights

Achieved an A in both Maths and Further Maths A-levels despite the difficulty of the exam papers.

Top tips for preparing for mathematical subjects will be shared in the video.

Learning and understanding math topics is crucial before attempting questions.

YouTube is an accessible platform for learning math through various instructional videos.

Pausing YouTube videos to attempt questions before seeing the solution helps develop problem-solving skills.

Active recall, or practicing questions without help, strengthens memory retention.

Resources like Physics and Math SH, Math J, and MME provide valuable practice questions.

Identifying and focusing on weak topics is essential for improvement.

Teachers can provide guidance and help in understanding difficult topics.

Past papers should be practiced under timed conditions to simulate exam environment.

YouTube walkthroughs of past papers can help understand where mistakes were made.

Learning to use a calculator effectively can greatly assist in math exams.

Graphical calculators, while useful, are not necessary for achieving high grades.

It's important not to be too harsh on oneself and to learn from mistakes.

Staying hydrated can improve focus, memory, and decision-making during revision and exams.

A summary of the main tips for achieving top marks in A-level Maths and Further Maths exams.

Transcripts

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A Level MathsExam PreparationStudy TipsYouTube LearningActive RecallPast PapersWeakness IdentificationTeacher GuidanceCalculator SkillsStay Hydrated