Everyone studies in different ways and what might work best for one person, may not work as well for another. That’s why trialling various techniques and utilising a range of resources is worthwhile especially during your A-Level revision and study time. In one of our recent articles on the difference between A-Level Maths compared to GCSE Maths, we highlighted how easy it is to underestimate the jump from GCSE to A-Level, so we thought we would carry this topic through by emphasising our top four A-Level study tips and how studying with an online tutor may just be the push you need to succeed in your studies.
So, you have made it through your GCSEs and achieved the grades you needed to get onto your chosen A-Level courses – congratulations! What you may not know is just how much information you will need to revise and learn over the next two years, compared to GCSE level, so getting ahead now can really benefit you in the long run. At Tutorspot, we believe that an online or in-person tutor can be of huge benefit, advising, encouraging and guiding you in the right direction as you embark on your A-Level studies. They are often very good at giving you the tools and resources to make for some fantastically efficient study time too!
We have a bank of carefully selected tutors who work and study in a range of subjects, including Physics and other the sciences, Maths, English Language and many more. With their professional help and advice, they can make the leap from GCSE to A-Level a lot smoother and more comfortable for you, helping you harness the increase in workload and excel in your studies. Choose your ideal tutor now.
In the meantime, why not take a look at our four top tips for studying at A-Level? If you’re looking to switch-up your style of study or want to introduce a new way of working towards your predicted grades, then there might be something for you!
In school, it is likely that your subject teacher will give you the reading materials and resources that were recommended by the exam board for the syllabus – sound familiar? Now, at A-Level, you will be expected to source extra reading materials from your school or college library, local library, online past papers and other resources, on top of what you are required to read during class time.
A-Levels are all about showing a wider knowledge of the subject and the more in-depth you can go when answering questions in exam papers, the more likely the examiner will award points for your extended familiarity with the subject.
We recommend researching student forums (there’s nothing greater than experience) or talking to your lecturer about book/reading recommendations to further your development – and the sooner the better! You will almost certainly have to dive in the deep end during your first few weeks of sixth form or college, so we advise that you start reading during the Summer holidays, before you head back to learning in September.
Although this isn’t a study tip as such, picking A-Level courses that you have an interest in, or are passionate about, will make your study experience a lot more enjoyable and this may even reflect in your overall grades. Here at Tutorspot, our A-Level tutors have been studying their chosen subjects for many years and have a great deal of interest in the work that they do day-to-day. From environmental biologists to chemistry teachers and highly qualified physicists, you can find a tutor who will be able to share their experience in the industry, as well as their love for the subject during your tutoring sessions.
Our easy to use search and filter tool has been designed so you can be in touch with a tutor (or tutors) of your choice within a matter of minutes – perfect if you’re looking for extra help for an upcoming exam. Message your chosen tutor(s) directly and organise your first session via our website and you’re good to go!
You can make all the study notes and read all the books you need to understand your syllabus, but nothing will prepare you more for your exams than reading and completing past papers to get your writing technique up to scratch. Our online tutors are able to mark your past papers and go through them with you at the end, so you can see where you would have gained and lost marks. We can’t emphasise enough how much of a brilliant resource past papers can be and they can be easily downloaded from your exam board website.
Furthermore, every year examiners release a public document which highlights their thoughts and feedback on the exam just gone – an example of this is an AQA examiner report from 2018 for GCSE Maths. Not only do you get to envisage what the examiner was looking for in every answer, but also how they would have answered it. Many exam boards have the same question structure year on year, for example the first question in the exam paper would require a short answer to ease the student into writing and then the following questions would require more developed and in-depth responses.
If you have time to look through the examiner’s reports, it is thoroughly worthwhile as you can see what the examiner is wanting to see from you when showcasing your knowledge.
When studying at college or sixth form level, there is a lot more material and content to cover in each syllabus, sometimes double the amount that you would have studied at GCSE level. That’s why it’s important to continue studying and revising throughout the year and revisiting content that you may have forgotten about.
Why not master your own study timetable each month so you know what you’re going to be studying and when? This way you have complete control and structure over your learning and keeping on top of your studies.
For some added support throughout the year, why not enquire for an online tutor to give you a helping hand? Our tutors can help any student at any point in their studies and can accommodate a lesson plan according to their students’ requests. Regardless of your ability or subject(s), there is a highly qualified and reliable tutor waiting for you with Tutorspot, so what’s stopping you!?
Enjoy learning through your A-Levels and excel in your coursework and exams with our brilliant selection of online tutors at Tutorspot. They have all the fantastic tips and advice you need, so studying for your A-Levels doesn’t have to be overly difficult or stressful.
If you prefer to have an in person, one-to-one tutoring session, our tutors are based throughout the UK in locations such as Cardiff, London and Woking and will be happy to arrange a suitable time and date that is convenient for you. For more information about our tutoring services and how we can help you, contact our friendly team on info@tutorspot.co.uk or call us on 01509 265623 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements in further detail.
