It’s that time of year again… if your thoughts are turning towards final A Level exams and perfecting your revision technique, you’re in good company.

Now, there’s no doubt achieving all A*s at A Level involves a lot of hard work, dedication and effective study skills – but it is possible.

Today, we’re sharing our most important study tips to set yourself apart from the crowd and score the very top grades. From proper planning to past papers and a positive approach, arm yourself with the knowledge needed to ace those summer exams.

Ready? Let’s get to work…

How to score A*s in your A Level exams

Whilst scoring straight A*s at A Level is challenging, it’s achievable with a combination of proper planning, effective revision, support from teachers and peers, as well as looking after your physical and mental health. If you’re aiming for the very top marks, here’s what you need to do…

1. Organisation is key

The most important aspect of an effective revision routine is a proper plan. This will help you understand what to study and when, as well as splitting-up your subjects into manageable chunks.

Be realistic when you’re creating this plan (i.e. how much time you think you can genuinely allocate to revision) and tailor it specifically to your modules.

Finding your specification for each subject (all available from your exam boards’ websites) will help keep everything on track.

2. Slow and steady wins the race

The earlier you start revising, the better. This will make your revision plan manageable as well as reduce stress levels.

So, if you haven’t started revising yet – now’s the time!

Learning gradually is much more dependable than cramming the week before a test. As you’ll know, A Levels are a massive step-up from GCSEs, with plenty of content to get through. It pays to plan ahead for those A* grades, and work on your class notes throughout the year.

3. Focus on exam technique

Make sure you understand all the assessment objectives for your courses, as well as the questions that might come up in exams. This will inform your revision methods (i.e. practice essays or quick flashcards) and help you feel calmer and more confident when the big day arrives.

It’s worthwhile researching exam technique and planning your timings in advance. This will ensure you don’t spend too much time on low-mark questions as well as properly structure longer essays and arguments.

4. Experiment with revision methods

Everyone learns in their own unique way, so find out what works for you! For instance, some people learn by reading and writing, whilst others learn through speaking-out loud.

Variety is never bad, so mix it up. Your revision could include colourful diagrams, flashcards, essay plans, online quizzes, discussions with family…. really, anything you like. This will make study feel less of a chore and easier to complete each day.

As part of this, remove diversions as far as possible. Leave your phone in another room (or download a specialist study app) if you find the allure of social media or messages from friends too distracting.

5. Plenty of past papers

Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports are fantastic for revision.

These are all available on exam boards’ websites – so make the most of them.

Whilst past papers provide a clear idea of question types (as well as insights on timings), mark schemes and examiner reports are invaluable for understanding what examiners look for.

There are plenty of sample essays with examiner commentary available online. When used in conjunction with the syllabus, your class notes and assessment objectives, you’ll enter final exams with confidence.

6. Practice brain and body mindfulness

Studying for your A Level exams can be stressful. Despite this, if you can stay positive and relaxed, your revision effectiveness will improve.

With this in mind, take regular breaks from study (allowing your brain to reset, rest and refresh) as well as incorporating exercise and mindfulness into your routine. Running in the fresh air, yoga and meditation, gym trips or sports clubs are all great for looking after your physical and mental health.

Get plenty of sleep, eat a nutritious, filling diet and stay hydrated. Your brain accounts for over 20% of your body’s energy use, so fuel it appropriately!

7. Build a supportive environment

Last but not least, don’t underestimate the importance of consulting role models, mentors and people who’ve achieved similar grades at A Level. This might be friends who’ve gone to university, family members or reaching-out on student forums.

Building a supportive environment also extends to parents and teachers, enlisting their help and advice. Proactive use of teacher feedback is particularly helpful. They are the subject experts and will be glad to answer any questions or even offer extra study sessions and essay tips.

Commonly asked questions

With a firm understanding of how best to achieve A*s at A Level, it’s worthwhile looking at some commonly asked questions.

First things first, how common are A*s at A Level?

How many people get A* at A level?

Nearly 45% of A Level entries across the UK achieved top grades in 2021. In England, 44.3% of pupils gained at least one A* or A grade (compared with 38.1% in 2020).

In terms of A*s alone, 19% of students achieved the very highest marks – up from 14.3% in 2020. This reflects the highest proportion of students achieving A*s since the system was overhauled in 2010.

What percentage of students get all A stars at A level?

In results published by Ofqual, 6.9% of students achieved three A*s in 2021.

Following the cancellation of exams and the switch to teacher assessments, the number of students achieving the very top grades has significantly risen. This compares with 4.3% in 2020 and just 1.6% in 2019.

How many students get A*A*A*?

12,945 school leavers achieved three A*s at A Level in 2021.

To put this in perspective, 7,700 students scored three A*s in 2020 and just 3,000 gained straight A*s in 2019.

These results are a substantial accomplishment for young learners, especially given the disruptions caused by the global pandemic over the past two years.

Is it hard to get all A*s at a level?

Getting all A*s at A Level involves a lot of hard work and dedication.

Whilst there’s no getting around this, as you’ll see from the statistics above – it certainly is achievable!

Of course, different individuals will find certain subjects harder than others. You might feel greater affinity towards humanities, maths or sciences (for example) – so do talk to your teachers if you’re struggling. They’ll help out wherever they can.

If you’re working on your A Level revision and would like some extra assistance, a study skills or academic life coach can help. By working on time management, revision and exam technique, a study skills approach helps students realise their academic potential. Contact our expert team today and we’d be glad to advise.