People only fail because they were never taught in school how to pass exams and revise properly
How to Ace Your A-levels challenges your assumptions about learning and hard work
If you follow the advice in this book, you will get the A-level grades you desire
Why buy How to Ace Your A-Levels?
Detailed guidance on revision timetables and revision methods telling you exactly what to do to get into the University you want
Discussions on important, often ignored areas such as revision styles, mind set, behaviour and motivation
A proven three step plan to help you achieve top grades (method, study cycle and motivation)
Realistic, honest, and straightforward advice on how to ACE your A-levels from authors who have done it themselves
Who are the authors?
Anshul Raja – a financial markets trader, who left UCL with a first class honours degree and a certificate of academic excellence by the Dean of students
Minesh Karia – a medical doctor with a BMedSc in Psychological Medicine
Where can I buy the book?
The book is available on Amazon in Paperback and on Kindle
ACE Your A-Levels is also available to order internationally, simply visit our online store
Testimonials & reviews…
For more reviews, check out the comments section below or our testimonials page.
I have made a plan for revision using the layer technique and am going to start tomorrow but I am worried about the first repetition of the subjects as you have to fully understand everything in the book ,any advice?
Am I supposed to understand the whole subject before I do the scribble technique or during?and how am I suppose to understand a full subject in one layer
For a memory based subject like Biology, understanding should form along side using the scribble technique. While for a method based subjects like Maths, understanding should be formed by working through worked examples and practice questions. For subjects that are both memory and method such as Physics and Maths, these will need a bit if both.
Ok im trying to understand as i go on but the thing is ive done about 10 sides a day for 3days now and i dont remember any of the information from the first two days, is this normal? Any tips
Hey Raja, amazing book!, I got BCDU for my AS last year :(, 1 mark off an A in maths and well I hated Economics, but the grades really shocked me at first because for my mock I got ABBC, it misled me I suppose and after reading your book I did NOT dedicate myself enough, I went gym 3 times a week and put gym before work (funny fact – on the day of my economics gym, I went gym in the morning, I hate that subject xD lol). Anyways, I do Maths, English Lit + History, for Maths I know I should go through the core textbooks, but what do I do for the other two. For History, I know I should go through textbooks provided/recommended by exam board. But that’s only like 50% of it, that’s what got me a D last year, my analysis is not good :(, , plus I have never had an A for History or English Lit at A level EVER 😦 do you have any good advise on how to improve analysis + explanation. Also, I can’t read a textbook for English Lit, so any advise there? Finally, what about Coursework, seeing as that’s something you don’t need memorize things for, I presume you don’t have to start repetitions as if it were exam right?
When you learn the material for the first time at school or you take notes yourself using the scribble technique, does this count as the first layer? or do you have to complete your 3 layers once you’ve finished learning all the material?
I have 4 retakes this year, so should I start drilling through the A2 textbooks now using scribble technique and begin the AS ones in December? Do I do them both at the same time? Like History A2 for 2 hrs, then history AS for 2hrs, then move onto the next subject sort of thing?
Sorry for all the questions!, I just SO badly want to get AAA, prove everyone wrong that I can get top grades like I did at GCSE, the humiliation of AS results day haunts me everyday :'(!, your story has inspired me to get off my sobbing arse and work my butt off!!
Thank you SO much!!!, you’re a great inspiration and if I do get AAA, I owe you BIG TIME!
Thanks for reading our book! Answers to your questions…
Improving grades in History and analysis. What you’ll find after doing 1 strong layer of the scribble technique is that your analysis will also improve. This is because the information will be on the ‘tip of your tongue’. It will therefore be easier to piece your analysis together. Writing technique can only be improved through practice so keep doing those home works and practicing essay writing under timed conditions.
English lit… You’re right the scribble technique and your textbooks aren’t as useful for this subject. Classroom time and advice from teachers has the biggest impact for subjects like these. Soak up all the literature texts you need to learn and know them inside out. Again, keep practicing essay writing.
Coursework…9/10 people don’t do well in c/w purely because they can’t manage their time. Start early and you’ve already won half the battle. Finish early and get your coursework checked by your teacher. I’m surprised no one ever did this in my college as the teachers are the ones who mark the work so finishing early and checking with them seemed obvious.
For method & understanding/ memory recall subjects, going through a subject in class and writing notes does not count as a good 1st layer in my opinion. A strong layer requires the scribble technique.
Do AS or A2 layers first?…start with your A2s and look to finish them around Jan time. Then move on to AS.
Hope this helps Scott. Now go prove everyone wrong! 🙂
Ahhh alright, but when you say finish A2 by Jan, do you mean just the 1st layer or all 3 layers of A2 by Jan? Also, when I start my AS again, do I just focus on completing my first layer, then begin switching between the two in terms of my 2nd and 3rd layers before the exam, by about March period?….Also, Thanks a Mill!, I definitely will prove everyone wrong!!! :), but I often find myself feeling really guilty when going to gym and just not working in general, especially when I’m really tired and physically can’t, my mind suddenly gets really scared, as if that time spent not working is going to be the reason why I don’t achieve high… is this normal?
Just the 1st layer by Jan and spot on – then start your 1st layer in AS levels. Then complete the 2nd and 3rd as you wish. When students tell me that they feel guilty for not working I actually feel relieved as it’s evidence that achieving good grades is a priority.
Ahh yeah, Thank a lot Raja, you’re book and advise has proven me results already!!, got an A* for my last maths test on C3 and an A in my last english essay (my first A in english ever!!)!… How would you suggest revising for the C4 module for maths, because it looks like a bomb shell! :O, im worried that I won’t have enough to time to practice enough to get an A in this paper, in conjunction with working hard on my other 2 subjects.
Ah yes and one more thing, when doing the scribble technique, do you note down the things you missed or do you just see what you forgot and immediately move on? because I find myself spending hrs just doing 4-5 sides because Im always spending time noting down everything I missed
Yes I would usually quickly scribble down what I forgot just to ‘complete the rep’. I also spent hours doing a handful of sides especially if they were complex. However, you should get faster the more you use this technique.
Ive tried to do the scribble technique but i just cant seem to get into it, it might be my really bad memory. i feel like i need to find an alternative to your method because j cant seem to retain the information or what information to retain as there is so much on each page. I dont know if there is anything you can help with but ive missed my forst layer deadline and im not even halfway through the book.
Since getting diagnosed with dyslexia and receiving extra time in class tests and support my grades have improved massively – I’ve gone from an E to a B! My biggests weakness related to my dyslexia is writing speed so the scribble technique is taking me a lot longer than it should. Would doing the scribble technique on a computer still be as effective as doing it by hand?
I would stick to scribbling out using a pen and paper. Remember, you don’t really need to write anything out neatly or even coherently. It’s purely a memorisation technique. Scribbling it out just simulates what you will do during exams, and it’s the recalling of information which is important.
How to Ace Your A-Levels 
I have made a plan for revision using the layer technique and am going to start tomorrow but I am worried about the first repetition of the subjects as you have to fully understand everything in the book ,any advice?
Hi,
Did my answer to your other question help?
Raja
Am I supposed to understand the whole subject before I do the scribble technique or during?and how am I suppose to understand a full subject in one layer
Hi,
For a memory based subject like Biology, understanding should form along side using the scribble technique. While for a method based subjects like Maths, understanding should be formed by working through worked examples and practice questions. For subjects that are both memory and method such as Physics and Maths, these will need a bit if both.
Raja
Ok im trying to understand as i go on but the thing is ive done about 10 sides a day for 3days now and i dont remember any of the information from the first two days, is this normal? Any tips
ive tried to access your book on the free kindle reader app on my iphone and i can only find the sample of your book
Hi,
Have you opened an amazon account and entered your payment details?
Raja
Hey Raja, amazing book!, I got BCDU for my AS last year :(, 1 mark off an A in maths and well I hated Economics, but the grades really shocked me at first because for my mock I got ABBC, it misled me I suppose and after reading your book I did NOT dedicate myself enough, I went gym 3 times a week and put gym before work (funny fact – on the day of my economics gym, I went gym in the morning, I hate that subject xD lol). Anyways, I do Maths, English Lit + History, for Maths I know I should go through the core textbooks, but what do I do for the other two. For History, I know I should go through textbooks provided/recommended by exam board. But that’s only like 50% of it, that’s what got me a D last year, my analysis is not good :(, , plus I have never had an A for History or English Lit at A level EVER 😦 do you have any good advise on how to improve analysis + explanation. Also, I can’t read a textbook for English Lit, so any advise there? Finally, what about Coursework, seeing as that’s something you don’t need memorize things for, I presume you don’t have to start repetitions as if it were exam right?
When you learn the material for the first time at school or you take notes yourself using the scribble technique, does this count as the first layer? or do you have to complete your 3 layers once you’ve finished learning all the material?
I have 4 retakes this year, so should I start drilling through the A2 textbooks now using scribble technique and begin the AS ones in December? Do I do them both at the same time? Like History A2 for 2 hrs, then history AS for 2hrs, then move onto the next subject sort of thing?
Sorry for all the questions!, I just SO badly want to get AAA, prove everyone wrong that I can get top grades like I did at GCSE, the humiliation of AS results day haunts me everyday :'(!, your story has inspired me to get off my sobbing arse and work my butt off!!
Thank you SO much!!!, you’re a great inspiration and if I do get AAA, I owe you BIG TIME!
Hi Scott,
Thanks for reading our book! Answers to your questions…
Improving grades in History and analysis. What you’ll find after doing 1 strong layer of the scribble technique is that your analysis will also improve. This is because the information will be on the ‘tip of your tongue’. It will therefore be easier to piece your analysis together. Writing technique can only be improved through practice so keep doing those home works and practicing essay writing under timed conditions.
English lit… You’re right the scribble technique and your textbooks aren’t as useful for this subject. Classroom time and advice from teachers has the biggest impact for subjects like these. Soak up all the literature texts you need to learn and know them inside out. Again, keep practicing essay writing.
Coursework…9/10 people don’t do well in c/w purely because they can’t manage their time. Start early and you’ve already won half the battle. Finish early and get your coursework checked by your teacher. I’m surprised no one ever did this in my college as the teachers are the ones who mark the work so finishing early and checking with them seemed obvious.
For method & understanding/ memory recall subjects, going through a subject in class and writing notes does not count as a good 1st layer in my opinion. A strong layer requires the scribble technique.
Do AS or A2 layers first?…start with your A2s and look to finish them around Jan time. Then move on to AS.
Hope this helps Scott. Now go prove everyone wrong! 🙂
Raja
Ahhh alright, but when you say finish A2 by Jan, do you mean just the 1st layer or all 3 layers of A2 by Jan? Also, when I start my AS again, do I just focus on completing my first layer, then begin switching between the two in terms of my 2nd and 3rd layers before the exam, by about March period?….Also, Thanks a Mill!, I definitely will prove everyone wrong!!! :), but I often find myself feeling really guilty when going to gym and just not working in general, especially when I’m really tired and physically can’t, my mind suddenly gets really scared, as if that time spent not working is going to be the reason why I don’t achieve high… is this normal?
Hi Scott,
Just the 1st layer by Jan and spot on – then start your 1st layer in AS levels. Then complete the 2nd and 3rd as you wish. When students tell me that they feel guilty for not working I actually feel relieved as it’s evidence that achieving good grades is a priority.
Raja
Ahh yeah, Thank a lot Raja, you’re book and advise has proven me results already!!, got an A* for my last maths test on C3 and an A in my last english essay (my first A in english ever!!)!… How would you suggest revising for the C4 module for maths, because it looks like a bomb shell! :O, im worried that I won’t have enough to time to practice enough to get an A in this paper, in conjunction with working hard on my other 2 subjects.
Thanks a million!!
Ah yes and one more thing, when doing the scribble technique, do you note down the things you missed or do you just see what you forgot and immediately move on? because I find myself spending hrs just doing 4-5 sides because Im always spending time noting down everything I missed
Thanks again!
Yes I would usually quickly scribble down what I forgot just to ‘complete the rep’. I also spent hours doing a handful of sides especially if they were complex. However, you should get faster the more you use this technique.
Ive tried to do the scribble technique but i just cant seem to get into it, it might be my really bad memory. i feel like i need to find an alternative to your method because j cant seem to retain the information or what information to retain as there is so much on each page. I dont know if there is anything you can help with but ive missed my forst layer deadline and im not even halfway through the book.
Hi Ryan,
Just so I can understand better, what subject are you working on and how long is it taking you to complete each page on average?
Raja
Hi,
Since getting diagnosed with dyslexia and receiving extra time in class tests and support my grades have improved massively – I’ve gone from an E to a B! My biggests weakness related to my dyslexia is writing speed so the scribble technique is taking me a lot longer than it should. Would doing the scribble technique on a computer still be as effective as doing it by hand?
Hi JJ,
That’s great to hear – keep it up! Will you be using a computer to write out your answers in the exam?
Raja
Hi,
No I won’t be using a computer in the exam but Im getting extra time to give me plenty of time to write out my answers at my own pace.
I would stick to scribbling out using a pen and paper. Remember, you don’t really need to write anything out neatly or even coherently. It’s purely a memorisation technique. Scribbling it out just simulates what you will do during exams, and it’s the recalling of information which is important.