How to revise for A Level Physics

A-Level Physics is a challenging subject that demands a deep understanding of complex concepts and the ability to apply them in various contexts. Effective revision is crucial to mastering the material and achieving high grades. In this guide, I’ll explore proven strategies to enhance your Physics revision. Also check out my video guide to revision here.

1. Know what you need to know

In 2002, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld confused reporters by talking about 'known knowns', 'known unknowns' and 'unknown unknowns'. Physics students were less confused, as they know the importance of metacognition. That is: knowing what you need to know.

The first place to go for this is your exam board's website. AQA, OCR and Edexcel each publish their specifications online. The specifications list everything that you can be asked about in your A Level Physics exams. The three exam boards have a lot of overlap (especially in core topics like Mechanics, Electricity and Waves), but also have significant differences, so it's important to use the correct one.

Tools like Brain Glue and Seneca that are aligned to A Level specifications are great to support this, as you can trust that they will only ask relevant questions.

2. Develop a Structured Revision Plan

Create a realistic and structured revision timetable. Allocate specific time slots for each topic, ensuring regular review sessions to reinforce learning. Incorporate breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout.

It's important that your revision timetable is realistic. There's no point making a plan that has you revising when you know you have other important commitments, like exercise or sleep!

3. Employ Active Learning Techniques

Students often pick up low quality revision habits during high school, then do well in their GCSEs and think that their revision must be effective. Often, it is not. Revision must be active not passive.

Don't:

• Reading notes: This builds familiarity but not learning. You will get to the bottom of the page and think you know something, but it never lodged in your long-term memory.

• Highlighting: Similarly, highlighters do not have a magic connection between their nib and your long-term memory.

Do:

• Active recall: Test yourself on key concepts without referring to notes. This technique strengthens memory and understanding. Apps such as Seneca and Brain Glue can make this easy.

• Spaced Repetition: Review information at increasing intervals to promote long-term retention.

• Teaching Others: Explain concepts to a peer or even to yourself. Teaching reinforces your understanding and highlights any gaps in knowledge. As a teacher, I know that I only truly understand a concept myself once I'm able to explain it to somebody else.

4. Practice Problem-Solving

Physics requires strong problem-solving skills. Regularly practise past exam papers and sample questions to become familiar with question formats and time constraints. This practice builds confidence and improves exam technique.

Begin by practising more straightforward questions from textbooks, revision guides and apps like Brain Glue. As you gain confidence, try exam questions. You can either find these directly on your exam board's website, or bundled into exam packs on websites like Physics & Maths Tutor and Cowen Physics.

5. Master Mathematical Skills

A solid grasp of mathematics is essential in Physics. Algebra and trigonometry are frequently applied in solving Physics problems. Resources like ‘Maths for Physics’ textbooks and online courses can be beneficial.

The most important skills include:

• Rearranging equations

• Handling standard form

• Trigonometry

A Level Physics does not require A Level Maths, but it certainly helps to study both. The only maths topic beyond GCSE that you're likely to need is logarithms.

6. Teach Each Other

As a teacher who has had to teach topics well outside of my expertise (including biology and chemistry), I know that you only truly understand a topic when you can explain it clearly to someone else.

This is also a great way of revising for A Level Physics. Find a little group of classmates and get together to teach tricky topics to each other. This is actually most beneficial to the teacher, so make sure you all take turns to teach.

(I used this technique regularly when revising for my final university exams, too.)

7. Look After Yourself

Prioritise your health during revision. Adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise contribute to cognitive function and overall well-being, enabling more effective study sessions.

Absolutely do not pull an all-nighter before the exam. Being well-rested is far more beneficial than last minute cramming.

Conclusion

Success in A Level Physics is all about the quality not quantity of revision. A whole day spent reading through notes is a day wasted. Revision must be active, spaced and interleaved. Mix topics up, spread them out and focus your revision on techniques that actually help.

There's no pain without gain, but you'll be grateful when you open those results in August.

If you'd like some help with your Physics revision, please get in touch. I offer both 1:1 and small group tutoring sessions.