You learn the formulas, you recognise the answers, and then you find yourself stuck when it comes to the test. With an average mark of 8, you might feel that physics and chemistry aren’t for you. However, before jumping to that conclusion, take a look at how you study.
Going from 8 to 14 is a realistic goal for some pupils, but it is not a guaranteed outcome. Your progress depends on your starting point, the time available, the work you put in and your assessments. The method suggested here is primarily aimed at helping you understand the exercises better and become more independent.
Start by reading your latest draft in a different way
Don’t just look at your mark. Work out what cost you marks: an unfamiliar concept, a wrong choice of formula, a conversion you forgot, a calculation error or an answer without a working.
If you know the rules but have forgotten the units, re-reading the whole chapter isn’t necessarily the first thing you should do. If you don’t understand the situation, simply plugging in the figures won’t be enough either. The diagnostic guide helps you choose the right exercise.
Step 1: Understand before replacing the letters
For each relationship, write down what each quantity represents, its unit and the conditions under which it applies. Ask yourself a simple question: what is happening physically or chemically in this situation?
Example of electrical circuit analysis: for an ohmic conductor under the conditions under consideration, U = R × I. If R = 20 Ω and I = 0.30 A, then U = 6 V. However, if the question states 300 mA, you must first recognise that this corresponds to 0.30 A.
You need to be able to explain why you’re using this relationship, not just get a 6 on the [2] calculator. This example is deliberately simple: the same reading technique will then be used in longer problems.
Step 2: Do it again without copying
Work through a marked exercise, pausing after each step to explain what it is for. Then close the marked version and start again on a blank sheet of paper. The next day or a few days later, try a similar exercise using different figures.
In chemistry, if you use n = m/M for a sample of known composition, check the units: with m = 5.85 g and M = 58.5 g/mol, you get n = 0.10 mol. If you get 100 mol, [3] Ask yourself whether the given mass makes this result plausible.
Recall practice and spaced revision are supported by research on [1] learning. The routine set out below is a practical suggestion, not a protocol that guarantees a higher mark.
Step 3: Time it when the approach becomes clear
The timer is designed to help you learn how to manage your time. Start by using it for a single exercise, then move on to a complete topic suitable for your class. Don’t turn every new concept you’re learning into a race against the clock.
When you get stuck, make a note of what you know: data, the quantity you’re trying to work out, a diagram or a relationship you’re considering. If you move on, leave some space so you can come back to it later. After the session, work out what you didn’t know how to do and what you knew how to do but found too slow.
A possible working week
Monday: twenty minutes to revise a concept and explain the quantities involved. Wednesday: a set of exercises done again without marking, followed by a marked set with comments. Friday: a similar set of exercises to check that you haven’t just memorised the answer.
At the weekend: a short timed set of exercises, tailored to your chapter, followed by a review. If you already have a lot of homework, shorten the set rather than skipping the marking altogether. One mistake that you’ve understood and worked through is better than a pile of exercises you’ve merely skimmed through.
Things you can keep an eye on before the next update
See if you can tackle more questions, identify a pattern by explaining it, and carry the figures through to the answer. Also check whether you can solve a question on your own that you got stuck on last week.
Whilst these steps don’t guarantee a specific average mark, they do give you a direction for your work. If you’re struggling with a particular question, send Elite Academy details of your class, your course and the stage of the exercise where you’re stuck. You can then ask for targeted support.
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→ See also: Past Baccalaureate exam papers with answers: how to use them effectively · The perfect revision sheet: the template that really works
