How to Revise for A Levels: 10 A Level Revision Tips

Reaching your potential in your A Level exams can open up lots of doors in your future studies and career.

But although your sixth form or college will teach you the material you need to know, they won’t often cover how to revise for A Levels – whether that’s creating a revision timetable, when to start or even what revision techniques might be effective.

Luckily, that’s what we’re here for!

We’ve collated 10 A Level revision tips from our team of experts and tutors to make sure you’re fully prepared for the exams – so you have the best chance of getting the grades you’re aiming for.

How to revise effectively for A Levels

Spend less time worrying and more time being productive with these 10 revision tips for A Levels.

1. Start now!

Getting started is often the hardest part. So, don’t keep putting it off.

Instead, there’s no better time to start revising for your A Level exams than right now (if you haven’t started already!).

An easy way to begin can be to simply recap what you learned in your last lesson.

Go through your notes, check that you understand everything, and maybe even try out a couple of practice questions.

You’ll soon realise that revision isn’t as daunting in practice as it feels in your head – and hopefully, you’ll be able to see progress already!

2. Know what to expect

It’s important that you know exactly what you can expect for each subject and exam.

Every exam board will work a bit differently. So, we’d always recommend printing off the exact specifications for each of your courses.

That way, you’ll see important details like…

How many papers you’ll sit
What will be covered in each paper
How long each exam will last
How much each paper is worth

Once you know what to expect, you can make sure you’re fully prepared. Plus, you can stress less, knowing that you shouldn’t encounter any nasty surprises on exam day.

3. Know what the examiners are looking for

As well as knowing what topics could be covered in each exam, it’s important that you understand how you’ll be assessed.

In other words, what will the examiner be looking for in your answers?

Every exam board will have the same assessment objectives, so make sure you check what these are for your subjects.

Plus, if you want to be really savvy (and you should!), check out the examiner’s reports for your subjects from the last few years.

Every year, examiners create an insanely helpful document where they tell you what they like to read in exam answers – as well as examples of what not to do.

This can make a huge difference to your exam prep, especially for essay subjects. So, read and re-read these documents, print them off, highlight them, stick them to your fridge, and make use of all the intel they give you!

4. Make a solid revision timetable

A good revision timetable will help you to plan your time, keep your revision on track, and stay calm knowing that you’ve got everything under control.

Unless you’re simply resitting an A Level, you’ll likely have a few subjects to juggle – and lots of different topics to cover within each of them.

So, dividing your time up fairly can take some careful planning.

Check your exam schedule
Calculate how much time you have to study (leaving plenty of time for breaks)
Decide which subjects and topics you need to spend the most time on
Allocate time to each subject and topic
Revise!

It’s important to do your best to stick to your revision timetable, but even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Some topics might take longer than you anticipated, while others may go a lot quicker.

So, don’t panic if you find things slipping – instead, keep adjusting your timetable to reflect where you’re at in your learning.

5. Set up your study space

You don’t need somewhere super fancy to revise for your A Levels, but you do need somewhere distraction-free where you can knuckle down and be productive.

Every learner is different – so, the ideal study space for you won’t be the same as for someone else.

For instance, while one learner might enjoy some music or background noise, another learner might prefer complete silence.

That said, here are some ideas to start you off:

Keep your study space tidy and clutter-free
Keep distractions at bay (eg. your phone!)
Make sure it’s comfortable
Get the lighting right – and try to maximise natural light as much as possible
Set your noise levels (whether that’s closing the door or grabbing a pair of headphones)
Pin up your revision timetable
Have a clock handy (so you’re not constantly checking your phone for the time)
Have water and healthy snacks on hand
Keep your revision supplies within easy reach (eg. pens and post-it notes)

Just remember, although it’s helpful to create a comfortable environment you want to study in, the last thing you want is to eat into valuable revision time!

So, don’t spend ages making your study space (or your notes!) look pretty – it’s all about finding the right balance.

6. Set goals

Setting goals is a great way to keep yourself motivated.

When you know what you’re working towards, it’s much easier to make decisions that’ll get you where you want to be!

Just make sure that your goals are SMART – meaning goals that are…

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

And make sure to have short-term as well as long-term goals.

For instance, while a long-term goal might be to attain a specific grade in a given subject, you’ll need smaller goals to reach along the way – like reaching the end of a topic by a certain day, or achieving a grade in a practice paper.

That way, you can see the progress you’re making and understand whether you’re on track to meet those longer-term goals.

Top tip: Make sure to reward yourself when you reach a goal. Whether it’s a trip to the cinema or a sweet treat, it will help you to feel more engaged and positive about your progress.

“Incremental steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

“If you’ve remembered something that you didn’t know last week then you’re one step further along your journey than you were last week.”

– Matthew B, Maths and English tutor

7. Ask for help

To reach the highest grades in your A Levels, you can’t just regurgitate what you’ve learned.

Rather, you’ll need to understand everything fully and show your ability to apply your knowledge. You’ll also need to demonstrate subject-specific skills, like problem-solving, communication, or analytical thinking (depending on the subject).

With this in mind, if there’s anything you don’t quite ‘get’ while you revise for your A Levels, don’t struggle alone.

Instead, get an expert tutor to bring the subject to life and demystify any complex topics you’re struggling to wrap your head around.

An A Level tutor will take the time to explain things in a way that will click for you. Plus, they’ll plan each session around your strengths and weaknesses to make sure they can make the biggest difference in the smallest amount of time.

It’s a great way to improve your A Level grades and boost your confidence ahead of the exams!

“Even at the eleventh hour, a touch of guidance and a sprinkle of understanding can illuminate complex concepts, turning uncertainties into strengths.

“I focus on identifying key areas where students need the most help and reinforcing their understanding with clear explanations and practice questions.”

– Steven R, Science A Level tutor

Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.

8. Try a variety of A Level revision techniques

Every learner is different. So, don’t just settle for the same revision techniques that are working for your friends.

Rather, think about your learning style and try a range of techniques when you revise for your A Levels, to find what works best for you.

As an example, diagrams and mind maps often work a treat for visual learners, while recording your revision notes and listening to them back can be ideal for auditory learners.

Here are some tried and tested A Level revision techniques you can try:

Make flashcards
Stick post-it notes around the home
Create mind maps
Teach someone else
Ask someone to test you
Speak content back in your own words
Record your revision notes and listen to them on the go
Form a study group
Explore revision resources (eg. apps, podcasts, YouTube videos and websites)

Top tip: Mix up the revision techniques you use to keep your revision fresh and engaging.

9. Make the most of past papers

Past papers are a fantastic revision tool for any A Level learner.

You’ve heard the saying ‘practice makes perfect.’ Well, past papers will allow you to…

Get familiar with the types of questions you might come across in the real thing
Practise managing your time
Hone your exam technique
Get used to dealing with exam pressure
Boost your confidence for the big day

Better still, past papers are a great way for you to see where you’re at in your learning – what are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Which areas need the most improvement?

By regularly completing past papers, you can track your progress and identify the areas where you need to put in more work.

In this way, you can tweak your revision timetable to focus on the areas that need it most, in order to make the biggest improvement in the time you have left before exam day.

Top tip: You can download past papers for your subjects and exam board right here on the Tutorful website!

10. Pace yourself

Revision is a marathon, not a sprint.

So, avoid cramming. Instead, revising little and often can help you to be productive without burning out.

For instance, you could set a timer at 1-hour intervals and take breaks in between.

It’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise.

After all, your body will need the right fuel to help you soak up all that information and get through those exams.

Staying up late to revise for your A Levels can do more harm than good!

Find a tutor to help you revise A Level

Whatever grades you’re aiming for, you don’t have to do it alone.

An A Level tutor will have the tools, knowledge and experience needed to motivate you, boost your confidence, and supercharge your A Level revision.

From tailor-made plans to practice exams, they’ll give you the one-to-one attention and dedicated time you won’t usually get at sixth form or college, to ensure you reach your full potential.

Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.

FAQs

What is the most effective way to revise for A Level?

The most effective way to revise for A Levels will vary from learner to learner. However, we often recommend attempting past papers to identify your strengths and weaknesses, before using your preferred revision techniques to work on the areas that need the most improvement.

What is the 2-3-5-7 revision method?

The 2-3-5-7 revision method involves revisiting a topic you’ve revised at increasingly long intervals. Essentially, you cover a topic for the first time on day 1, and then revisit it on days 2, 3, 5 and 7.

In this way, it’s a form of spaced repetition designed to jog your memory just before you’re most likely to forget what you’ve learned.

How many hours should I revise for an A Level?

Exactly how many hours you should revise for your A Levels will vary depending on how you learn best.

There’s only so much a brain can assimilate in a day, and while some learners will cope fine studying for 7 hours at a time, other learners will reach their limit after 2 or 3 hours.

As a rough guide, most learners claim to spend around 30 hours revising for each A Level paper. So, the earlier you start revising, the more you’ll be able to spread your learning out so that you’re not cramming.