How to Excel in Science & Maths GCSEs & A-Levels
Revising for science and maths can feel like a mountain to climb, but with the right approach it becomes so much more manageable.
In this post, we break down 7 practical revision strategies that actually work: using your exam board specification as a step-by-step checklist, revising little and often to build strong memory recall, skipping endless note-rewriting in favour of exam-ready resources, and following the cycle of understand → memorise → apply.
You’ll also learn how to get the most out of past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports, plus how to create targeted flashcards from tricky topics. To top it off, I’ve included the best free resources that will save you time, money, and stress.
Follow these tips consistently, and you’ll feel far more prepared and confident when exam season arrives.
1) Use Your Exam Board Specification as a Checklist
Your exam board specification is essentially a “cheat sheet” that tells you exactly what you need to know. Everything on your exam will come directly from it—nothing more, nothing less. Print it out, highlight each topic as you cover it, and use it to track your progress.
It’s not just for learning new content—you should also use it throughout the year as a revision tool. Once you’ve learned a topic, it’s easy to forget about it, especially Year 12 content that will be tested again in Year 13. Make sure you revisit every topic at least three times before your exams. Each time you go over a topic, tick it off again on your printed specification so you know exactly how many times you’ve reviewed it. This ensures older topics don’t slip through the cracks.
2) Revise Little & Often
Science and maths are subjects that build up over time, and cramming rarely works because there’s simply too much content to cover at once. Instead, revise in small, manageable chunks on a daily basis. Even 20–30 minutes per subject each day can make a huge difference, keeping concepts fresh in your mind and reducing stress later on.
Spacing your revision also helps with long-term memory retention. Each time you revisit a topic, your brain strengthens the connections, making it far easier to recall under exam pressure. This is much more effective than doing one long session and then forgetting most of it a week later.
To make this approach work:
Use a revision timetable and spread out topics so you regularly return to older material.
Focus on active recall methods (flashcards, practice questions, blurting) rather than just rereading notes.
Keep sessions short but focused—avoid distractions and set a clear goal for each session.
Consistency beats marathon study sessions every time. By starting early and building the habit, you’ll avoid the last-minute panic and feel much more confident when exams arrive.
3) Skip Rewriting Notes—Use Exam-Specific Resources
Instead of spending hours making “pretty notes,” use resources that already provide exam-focused summaries. For example, ChemRevise (for AQA Chemistry), Physics & Maths Tutor, and Biology with Olivia notes give you concise, exam-ready material.
Some of the mentioned are particularly useful because the notes include clear images, aesthetic formatting, and highlights, while still using wording taken directly from mark schemes. This means you can learn the content in a concise and understandable way without wasting time rewriting it.
Many schools also provide ready-made revision notes—if you have access to these, make full use of them. The only notes you should really be making yourself are flashcards based on past exam questions, since these will help you memorise the exact phrasing examiners want to see.
4) Understand → Memorise → Apply
Top marks come from mastering three stages:
Understand: Make sure you can explain a concept in your own words. If notes aren’t enough, use videos to support your learning—for example, Elliot Rintoul and Allery Chemistry are excellent for visual learners. If you prefer more depth, you can also use textbooks recommended by your teachers or exam board–specific textbooks, which often contain extra detail and worked examples.
Memorise: Learn the key definitions, formulas, and facts. Flashcards work brilliantly here, but you should also use active recall methods. For example, cover up your notes and try to “blurt” everything you remember onto a page, or create a mind map from memory to test how much you actually know. This forces your brain to work harder, which strengthens recall.
Apply: Once you understand and remember the material, practice applying it to different scenarios. Exams often test your ability to transfer knowledge rather than simply recall it, so past paper questions and exam-style problems are essential.
5) Past Papers, Mark Schemes & Examiner Reports
Past papers are the single most powerful tool for exam success. Many questions repeat over the years—sometimes worded differently, but testing the same concepts. However, knowing the content isn’t enough; you must learn how to answer in the way examiners expect.
That’s where mark schemes come in. After completing a question, check the mark scheme carefully. Look at the exact keywords, phrases, and structure required—because even if your answer is “right,” you won’t get the marks unless it matches the scheme. Training yourself to write in this style is key to unlocking top grades.
In addition, use examiner reports. These are written after each exam series and highlight the most common mistakes students make, as well as what examiners are looking for in stronger answers. They often provide clear guidance and tips, such as areas where students tend to lose marks unnecessarily. Reading these reports alongside past papers and mark schemes gives you an insider’s view of what to avoid and how to improve.
6) Start Early with Practice Questions & Make Targeted Flashcards
Don’t wait until exam season to start practice questions—begin as soon as you finish a topic. This could mean completing end-of-chapter questions, mini-assessments, or pulling relevant past paper questions. You can practise these exam-style questions just before your school’s end-of-block or topic tests to reinforce your learning. If your school only has mock exams, then make sure to still attempt exam questions at the end of each topic you cover—this will keep knowledge fresh and help you apply it while it’s still new.
As you practice, you’ll naturally find certain questions or topics that feel trickier than others. Instead of moving on and hoping for the best, turn those problem areas into flashcards. Write the question on one side and the mark scheme wording on the other. This way, you’re not only revising the content but also training yourself to answer in the way the examiner expects.
This approach is especially powerful for questions that come up repeatedly in past papers. By converting them into flashcards and revisiting them regularly, you’ll ensure that if they appear in your actual exam, you’ll know exactly how to approach them. Over time, your personalised flashcard set becomes a targeted revision tool built around your own weaknesses—making your practice more efficient and exam-focused.
7) Make The Most Of Free Resources
You don’t need to spend a fortune to succeed—there are plenty of free, high-quality revision resources available online. Your exam board website should always be your starting point, as it provides specifications, past exam papers, mark schemes and examiner reports. Beyond that, sites like Physics & Maths Tutor, Save My Exams, ExamSolutions, and ChemRevise offer past papers, topic questions, and concise revision notes tailored to specific exam boards. For biology, Biology by Olivia is an excellent choice for mark-scheme-friendly notes with visuals. For GCSE sciences, FreeScienceLessons is a fantastic tool with short videos that cover the entire GCSE biology, chemistry, and physics specification.
Don’t forget to check whether your school already provides access to textbooks, question banks, or revision guides—many do, but students often overlook them. If you find a particularly useful paid resource, ask your teachers if the school has (or could get) a subscription. For example, many schools use Sparx Maths, which provides personalised practice and targeted feedback. Using these free (or school-supplied) resources consistently not only saves money but also ensures you have a wide range of support to reinforce your learning.
