Preparing for Exams: A-Levels

Preparing for your A-level exams can be stressful. There is a mixture of hope, pressure, and excitement as you are reaching an important milestone and about to sit an exam that will determine your future. But StudyStream is sharing its top tips on how to prepare for your A-level exams and get the grades you want to take you to the next step in your education journey.

What are A-levels?

In the UK, students enter their sixth form phase of education before they attend university. During these college years, students have a choice between a BTEC course or a selection of A-levels. Students pick three or four subjects and do an in-depth study of those subjects for two years. A-levels are the criteria of which university acceptance is granted for the student’s chosen course, which is why passing A-level exams and achieving the required grade is so important.  

How do you prepare for your exams?

There are many things that you can do to prepare effectively for your exams. If you are organized and manage your time well, you can ace every A-level exam you need to pass and get the grades you deserve. But it isn’t just about managing your time, there are many elements of preparation that you need to address to ensure you have success.

Create a study space

It’s important from the beginning of your studies that you create a study space that suits you. The environment you choose for work should be somewhere that is comfortable, quiet, clean, and free of distractions. You may have a desk set up at home or prefer to work in your college library, but wherever that space is for you, it’s crucial that you only use it for work, only use it to revise, read or practice test papers for your studying and exam preparation.

Know your learning method

How do you learn? This is a vital question that every student should be able to answer. If you know your learning style or method, you can adjust your revision techniques to suit your brain. Are you a visual thinker? Maybe color-coded flashcards would suit you best. Do you learn better when listening to audio? Maybe you can record your notes on your phone and write them up after your class. Before you even begin exam preparation, get into the habit of revision techniques that work well for you.

Past papers and revision apps

A good way to prepare for your A-level exams is to do some practice papers. Knowing what type of answers an examiner is looking for before the exam will help you feel more confident. Are there any particular references or keywords that you need to remember? Do you need to revise and learn a particular formula? It is recommended that you do as many past papers as you can to get an idea of what the real exam will be like.

Revision apps are also a great way to prepare for your exams. By doing a little bit each day, you are giving yourself the best chance to pass the tests you need to complete to gain your qualification. StudyStream’s WebApp provides you with a productivity timer, a to-do list feature, and backgrounds to give you the perfect vibe to revise.

Collaborate with others

Revising for your exams doesn’t have to be a lonely experience. Collaborating with others is an efficient way to remember information and should be done alongside independent study whenever possible. Find an accountability study buddy, someone who will keep you on the right track and stick to the revision schedule that you set for yourself.

Look after your wellbeing

Find a balance between studying and revising and things that are good for your wellbeing. Ensure that you are establishing routines in your social life and spending time with family and friends, that you have time in your busy schedule to do something that you enjoy and that relaxes you. Get plenty of rest, keep yourself hydrated, and have a well-balanced diet. All of these things will help you be as prepared as you can possibly be for your A-level exams.

Seek support if you need it

If you are struggling mentally or academically, you should seek support from the right people. If you are finding it hard to prepare for your A-level exams and you are experiencing an overwhelming amount of stress, reach out to someone at your college for advice and support. Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to the people closest to you and get help if you need assistance. You will only pass your A-level exams if you are in the right state of mind. Look after yourself and know that if you don’t pass or get the grades you wanted, it’s okay to fail, just focus on the lessons you learned from it and try again.