How To Get Good Grades and Percentage In O levels and A Levels

Exams put extra pressure on even the calmest of students. But, with a little preparation and a well-planned revision timetable, you can achieve the grades you deserve.

The British Council has a range of useful tools and resources for you, whether you’re a student or teacher. And we can help you with the following simple tips:

TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOUR EXAMS:

Now is the time to think seriously about your revision timetable. You should:

check the most up-to-date syllabus for every subjectfind out about the exam (for example, are questions multiple choice or essay-based?)prepare a revision timetable. 

SOME REVISION TIPS:

Try to schedule revision for your most productive times during the day. For example, if you feel fresh and alert in the morning, make sure you do most of your studying early. You should also try to:

prioritise exams that make up a large percentage of a subject’s gradetake regular breaks to refresh your minduse a variety of study tools to revise – including books, audio guides and online video summarieshighlight important points in your study notesask family and friends to quiz you on each subjectsit past papers so you get a feel for the questions and timingsmake time for relaxation with family and friends.

A MONTH BEFORE YOUR EXAMS:

If you’re a school student, your exams co-ordinator should provide you with a Statement of Entry.

Your Statement of Entry will tell you exactly when your exams are being held so you can make appropriate travel arrangements. You must remember to bring this form with you on exam day.

For more information on what to bring and to view your exam timetables, see advice we have written especially for your exam day.

In the meantime, continue with your own revision timetable – but remember to schedule breaks so you don’t get too tired.

EXAM QUICK TIPS – ON THE DAY

So, you have revised and prepared for the big day. Don’t worry if you feel a little nervous – that’s only natural. Follow a few more simple tips to stay relaxed and get the best possible exam results.

Try to: stay calm and take deep, even breathsread the exam paper completely before you startplan your timemove on to the next question if you get stuckread the questions carefully and make sure you answer each one properlysip fresh water throughout the examcheck each answer, particularly if you finish early.

For essay questions, remember to structure your answers with a beginning, middle and end. The beginning introduces the essay, the middle explores the topic in more detail and should make up around 75 per cent of the overall word count, and the end concludes or summarises your essay.