Help with A-level Biology study skills

July 12, 2009 6:00 AM

I'm planning a career change and need help on how best to tackle A-level Biology

I need to study A-level Biology to stand a chance to get on a dental hygiene and therapy course. I have nine months before the exam and need to get down and study as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Does anyone have any study tips for a subject like biology? Because there are a number of facts that one must just know - like how the heart works, for instance - how do you best go about notating the information you need and presenting it in such a way that it makes sense when it comes to revision?

To make matters more complicated, I'm doing a home study course. There is lots of support from the National Extension College who run the course, and I have a tutor who marks assignments and gives advice, but I'd like to hear of anyone else's approach to the study of a science subject and how best you ingested and regurgitated the vast amounts of information.

I was thinking perhaps of using mind maps but they can end up being a little scrappy with lots of unconnected information. Is there a better way of using mind maps or Cornell notes or something?

I should just say I have an old-style O-level in Biology so have the basics, although things have changed a bit since the early '80s!

posted by stenoboy to education (5 comments total)

My approach is to get the learning objectives, and make bullet points that concisely cover the learning objectives (diagrams if necessary). This makes sure you're only ingesting what you need!
posted by Coobeastie at 7:30 AM on July 12

Here's my advice.

1. Get the syllabus -- the syllabus is the defining document on WHAT you will be tested on.
2. Break up the components of the syllabus into chunks that you can manage, have deadlines for each component. Personally, I would try and break it up to learn it in 7 months, with 2 months for revision.
3. Find a good A-level textbook that teaches the syllabus, typically the board will have a recommendation.
4. For each section, you need notes. There are a variety of techniques that work for different people: e.g. highlighting, postcard notes, questions and answers (my preferred method).
5. Go through the information once, understanding whats being said
6. Go through it a second time, this time making your notes
7. After you go through it and have made your notes, its worth trying to do parts of previous exam papers dealing with the subject. They will tune you on what the examiners consider important.
8. Periodically review material. When I did it I would set aside one session in 10 to just review previous material starting with the oldest material first. My question/answer note-taking method worked well for this.
9. Once you're done with the learning start doing papers, starting with about 5 years back and moving forwards.
10. Get the papers marked or get the crib-sheet if possible.

It's a lot of work but you will be guaranteed a good result. Good luck.
posted by gadha at 7:34 AM on July 12

MY tactic for the Biology GRE was: a) as many practice exams as I could get my hands on; and b) drawing diagrams for as many topics as possible. "Diagrams", here, includes but is not limited to lists (colorcoded, bullet-pointed, annotated, etc.), flow charts of various processes, and actual illustrations (colorcoded and labelled). Color coding was a big part of the process, but that's because I'm a very visual learner. YMMV.
posted by pemberkins at 8:35 AM on July 12

Seconding pemberkins - diagrams are the key. It may have changed since I did A levels, but it was entirely possible to get high marks in Biology with a good diagram and explanation - it's not an essay subject.

I tended to redraw from memory (ish) during revision - read something through then close it and try to reproduce it. This also works with enzyme chains (eg. Krebs cycle) but depending on how your brain works, knowing the chemical principle can help you work these through as you go along.

Gadha gives good advice re: syllabus, I found it good to do relevant sections on past exam papers as I went to test myself. Either way, they're essential for giving you a feel for what comes up (and equally what hasn't for a while and may do). I have to say I could never have been as thorough as gadha's process would enable you to be.

Good luck in 9 months time.
posted by Skaramoosh at 12:49 PM on July 12

Thanks for the encouraging and helpful replies, everyone.
posted by stenoboy at 2:36 PM on July 12