Personally, I think biology is the best of the three sciences, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t challenging. While it’s a pretty popular subject, it can be really challenging, since there’s often a lot of content. If you’re studying biology this year, here are some tips that can help you achieve top marks!
Do pre-reading
In biology, you’ll have to learn really difficult concepts, which can be hard to understand. Pre-reading can help by giving you an overview of the topic so you don’t come in blind! Before class, try to read ahead in the textbook so you have an overview of the next topic.
Use Quizlet + Anki
Biology also requires you to memorise a lot of definitions and ideas. Quizlet and anki are so important for helping you remember things long-term. Find pre-made flashcards on quizlet, then use anki to memorise them!
Understand key concepts
You’ll often be asked to explain key concepts in bio exams – but what if you don’t understand it? Make it a priority to never be lost or confused, since this will cause you to fall behind! Ask your teacher to explain something for you, or watch a youtube video about it.
Spam practice questions
This is what I did to get a 9 on my GCSE – I answered over 500 questions before the exam. This will help you cover a range of topics + question types, so you’ll be ready for anything! Also, practice questions are a form of active recall, which improves your memory! Personally, I used educake.co.uk since my school had a subscription to it, but I think they only have GCSE resources, not A-level.
Learn the mark scheme
In GCSE and A-level biology, the mark schemes can be super specific. That’s why you should try to learn what words the examiner wants you to use. Do lots of past papers, and make sure you go over the mark scheme rigorously! One strategy you could use is, once you finish answering a past paper, copy down each question and answer in Quizlet, and use that to memorise the mark scheme!
