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How Do I Get the Best English Language a-Level Results?
Getting the best English Language A-level results means focusing your studies, making sure you understand the subject matter and preparing well. The most important thing to do is your best; just because something is not easy does not mean you cannot get the best results. It just means you have to try harder and study clever.
The English Language A-level is usually divided into coursework and examinations. The coursework covers 50 percent of the final result and the two exams cover the other 50 percent. Doing well in both the coursework and the exam takes different skills and you will probably find one element easier than the other.
Before worrying about coursework and exams, you need to get into a good studying routine. It is not enough, for most people, to just study for the exam or for the coursework and spend the rest of the time relaxing in whatever way you see fit. First, attend classes, take notes and get on the good side of the teacher without being sycophantic. When taking notes, it is a good idea to transcribe your notes into a separate study book when you get home because copying and rewriting notes helps your brain process the information.
While English language does not require you to know English texts in depth, it is advantageous for you to read and to read widely. Even reading a newspaper in the morning or a book during the day is practicing your English language A-level skills. Put the ideas and skills you learn in class into practice whether it is looking for bias or writing in different styles from diary entries to news stories.
The first element of the final English Language A-level you will come across is the coursework or dissertation. Being on good terms with your teacher is more useful here because she will be more willing to help you choose a good topic and to help you along with research. Choose wisely and choose a subject for your dissertation that is attainable.
Take your time to do the research for the coursework and be prepared to rewrite it if you need to. Write the introduction last and the conclusion second to last. First, concentrate on outlining your research and your research results. Next, analyze these results and produce the conclusion. You can then tailor the introduction to the whole dissertation.
A good revision strategy is important. If you know you only have to answer four out of 20 essay topics, so revise eight, not 20. By revising just eight topics, you can spend over twice the amount of time on each topic and there is a good chance you will get four answerable questions in the actual exam. When researching, read books, refer to your notes and write summaries.
It is important for you to be relaxed and in good condition before your English Language A-level exam. This means finishing your revision early and finishing by producing a summary of all the topics in the exam. Relax, watch television or read a book, go for a walk or go to bed early to make sure you are well-rested and your brain has had time to process the information. On the day of the exam, only read from your summary sheet and remember you can make notes in the exam so long as you cross through them with a pen.
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![To get the best English Language A-level results, a person should focus on their studies.]()
By: Ackley Road PhotosTo get the best English Language A-level results, a person should focus on their studies. -
![Being on good terms with your teacher will make him or her more likely to help you.]()
By: spaxiaxBeing on good terms with your teacher will make him or her more likely to help you.
Discussion Comments
Most people try to cram information into their brain the night before the exam. But as the article suggested, this is counter-productive. Study hard a few days before the exam and the last day, review the information and take it easy. I prefer to take the afternoon and/or evening before the exam off and just review my notes in the morning before the exam. Also, sleep is very important. Scientists have actually proven that the brain reviews new knowledge while we sleep during the night. So not sleeping well the night before the exam is a sure way to remember very little!
@stoneMason-- That's a problem that many people experience. As someone who has spend a large portion of her life as a student, I can give you a few tips.
First of all, when it comes to language learning, it can be easy to lose concentration and get bored because the course materials tend to be repetitive. The routine of exercises, reading and writing can become uninteresting and frustrating after some time. That's why I recommend taking breaks with exercises that will still help you but will not bore you.
For example, you can do a cross-word puzzle, play a word game or watch an English film or TV show. If possible, watch films and shows with English subtitles or the captions on. Reading captions or subtitles while listening to English is an excellent way to learn. I have used this method to learn other languages. It supports the learning process and keeps the mind active. You will be surprised how many new words and terms you pick up that way.
And make sure to take frequent breaks during your studies to give yourself an opportunity to relax and gather energy for another short study session. I usually take a five minute break every half hour.
The biggest issue I am facing while preparing for exams is that I lose focus and attention reviewing the same information over and over again. I cannot concentrate for long periods and I lose interest in what I'm reading. How can I concentrate better?
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