Summary of "How to teach yourself A-level maths! (And do really well)"
Overview (main ideas)
The video presents an 8-step, practical method the creator used to teach themself A‑level maths and achieve an A. The approach stresses self-awareness: adapt the method to your needs, be persistent, and practice under exam-like pressure.
Key points: - Build a weekly “blueprint” of what to learn (lesson-by-lesson, not a single massive year plan). - Use high-quality online walkthroughs for explanation. - Progress through increasing levels of practice: textbook → exam-style → past papers. - Learn from mistakes and simulate exam conditions before mocks and finals.
Time examples: studying an individual topic can take 10 minutes to 2–3 hours (some tricky topics took days). The creator typically spent about 7 hours/week outside lessons on this routine.
Detailed step-by-step method
Step 1 — Create the blueprint (weekly, lesson-by-lesson)
After each lesson, write down: - All questions you had (use square paper if you like). - The specific topic(s) covered.
If you’re a private candidate or don’t get lessons, use your exam board specification (e.g., “AQA A‑level maths specification”) to plan topics. Make a blueprint per lesson/week to keep the workload manageable.
Step 2 — Use the blueprint (the core “teach yourself” step)
Four actions to do in your free periods or after school: 1. Find free time after school or during free periods to study the lesson topic. 2. Revisit your class notes as a reference. 3. Watch clear topic walkthroughs (recommended: ExamSolutions on YouTube) that answer your questions. 4. Make detailed notes while watching; rewind sections until you can explain the method yourself.
If one video/resource doesn’t help, try other online resources or ask friends/teachers. Example workflow: take notes in lesson → rewatch a relevant ExamSolutions video → pause/rewind and write explanations until you understand. Time per topic varies from ~10 minutes to several hours or days for harder topics.
Step 3 — Do textbook questions (consolidation)
- After studying the topic, do textbook/homework questions to make concepts stick.
- Use confusing homework as motivation to return to Step 2 — don’t cheat on homework; the struggle is part of learning.
- When textbook questions feel easy, move to harder problems.
Step 4 — Do harder exam-style questions (progressive overload)
- Treat textbook questions as Level 1; move to Level 2: exam-style question booklets (e.g., MathsAndPhysicsTutor booklets).
- First attempts can be open‑book, but push yourself to try solutions before consulting notes.
- Intentionally struggle and make mistakes, then iterate and check mark schemes/solutions.
- If a mark scheme solution is unclear, find an ExamSolutions video for that exact question.
- Grind through whole booklets during free time until confident.
Step 5 — Repeat Steps 1–4 throughout the term/semester
- Stay on top of new content weekly; if you’re improving week-to-week, keep going.
- Typical extra workload: about 7 hours/week outside lessons (adjust to your schedule and other subjects).
- Keep notes organized in a folder for easy reference.
- Balance other subjects — switch when you need variety or to meet deadlines.
Step 6 — Before mock exams: past papers in exam conditions
- Level 3 practice: do recent past papers (e.g., the previous 4–5 years) under timed, strictly exam conditions.
- Simulate pressure (pretend grades are on the line) to train time management and stress handling.
- This exposes you to mixed-topic papers and strengthens problem-solving under realistic constraints.
Step 7 — After mocks: repeat Steps 1–4, maintain resilience
- After a short break, restart Steps 1–4 for the next semester (topics get harder but remain manageable).
- Maintain discipline and visualize success. Be persistent.
- Take care of mental health: schedule breaks, see friends, and celebrate progress.
Step 8 — Final run-up to summer exams (1–2 months out)
- Prioritize timed past papers as the main revision tool; focus on exam technique.
- Target discriminating/tricky questions that separate high grades.
- Read examiners’ reports to learn common mistakes and examiner expectations.
- Re-do topic booklets and past papers multiple times (the creator re-did past papers repeatedly).
- Use harder-than-exam papers (e.g., Solomon Press) so the real exam feels easier.
- Concentrate on closing weaknesses and consolidating speed and accuracy.
Additional tips, mindset, and practical points
- Be curious and adapt the method to your learning style; there’s no single “absolute” method.
- Fastest learning comes from making and correcting mistakes — iterate until solutions make sense.
- Don’t rely solely on mark schemes if they’re unclear — find video walkthroughs for clarity.
- Organize notes and blueprints weekly; tidy folders improve review efficiency.
- Treat difficult topics as challenges rather than threats — adopt a problem-solving mindset.
- Balance workload with other subjects — you don’t need perfect structure if you find a rhythm that works.
Resources and recommended materials
- ExamSolutions (YouTube walkthroughs) — core video explanations
- MathsAndPhysicsTutor (mathsandphysicstutor.com) — exam-style question booklets
- Solomon Press — harder practice papers
- Your exam board specification and past papers (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR)
- Textbooks and mark schemes
- Examiners’ reports (to learn common mistakes and examiner expectations)
- Friends and teachers for help when stuck
Speakers / sources featured or mentioned
- Primary speaker: the video creator / narrator (personal account and instructor for the method).
- External resources mentioned: ExamSolutions, MathsAndPhysicsTutor, Solomon Press, AQA (or other exam boards) specifications and past papers, mark schemes, examiners’ reports, textbooks, and friends/teachers.
If you want, I can convert this into a printable checklist or a weekly schedule template tailored to your current lessons/specification. Which exam board are you using (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)?
Category
Educational
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