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.
hi
can i just say that your amazing for actually sharing ypur techniques. i have just started my as years and im studing biology, chemistry, maths and re. my GCSES was not what i wanted i got AAABBBBB and i have the dream of becoming a doctor and studying medicine and uni. At the moment i achieve average in topic tests D’s C’s and B@s..etc…
do you think i should still aim high?
Thanks for reading our book! You should most certainly aim high. I used to get those kind of grades in my AS year as well but improved after changing my attitude/learning techniques. Execute the 3 step plan in our book and you should see an improvement. If you don’t then drop me a PM on facebook and I’ll ask you a few question to dig deeper and find out what’s holding you back.
Becoming a doctor is a great ambition! However, be sure to look at minimum GCSE requirements set by universities for Medicine. If your GCSE’s don’t meet these requirements, then it may be best to apply for BioMed and then move onto medicine later.
Thankyou for all the advice..
just a question out the blue it would be waste of time redoing some gcses if they don’t meet the requirements for unis?
🙂
thankyou once a again
I got CDDE in my AS year, I am currently studying A2 (maths,chem and bio) and need to achieve at least 3 As, So I’m retaking all of my exams along with A2 aswell, totaling 14 exams.
I’m working really hard this year, but there’s no signs of improvement at all and I struggle to remember key points.
I was aiming high and thought it was totally possible to ace 14 exams with hard work but I’m now starting to doubt myself. I realised that I don’t have a good revision technique. I’m now going to buy your book as it looks amazing and seems like it could definitely help me achieve my targets.
Just a question though, I’ve seen on a couple of places you mentioning ‘power layer’, which takes 3-4 weeks a module? There’s currently 4 months till exams so I really can’t waste time, is there any faster techniques and methods which I can apply to my revision?
Thank you for buying our book! The power layer requires learning your modules using the scribble technique before your teachers have taught them. Regardless, as you will see in the book, our scribble technique is the fastest and easiest way to absorb information. The more you do it, the faster you will get t memorising your course material.
Hi Raja,
May I please have your email address?? your book is amazing. I have used it and I actually have exams in June and May but I will need your piece of advice.
Hie I just bought your book and I’m loving it so far it’s amazing . Do you think it’s too late to start my first layer? I’m retaking 2 AS modules and I was also wondering if I should revise for the AS first or A2
Hi raja, brought and read your book and its been one of the best investments I’ve ever made!
However, i do feel slightly confused in terms of where i start with revision.. Im retaking a Chemistry AS module to bump up my grade as i got a C overall at AS. In total I’ve got 6 exams in June. The first being the AS chemistry module. How long should i spend on each layer and do you think i should include exam practice in each layer for chemistry. (Btw my other alevels include Biology and PE). Also because i am retaking an AS module should i still try and implement the power rep although most of the module have been covered for Chemistry and Biology. Should i do the power rep with all my subjects?
You also mention about revising a subject at a time, with biology and chem we have 2 modules so do i start layers in both modules for each subject at the same time?
Thanks for buying and reading our book! With 6 resits you have approximately 2 weeks per module. A power rep, is when you cover the material before it is taught in class so you could keep one step ahead of your teacher using the textbook. You can complete the other first layers of modules that have already been taught in class along side your power reps. In answer to your question, it’s fine to cover multiple subjects at the same time as long as you keep track of your progress.
Hi thanks for your reply raja. Just to correct you i have 1 AS resit and the other 5 are the A2 exams, so 6 exams in total. But I understand what you mean. So should i start revising for my resit once i complete my power rep
Hi raja, I’m planning to start my first layer, but this whole month we have our ISAs for Biology and Chemistry, so i am finding it difficult to balance out my normal exam revision as I have a lot of preparation to do for these ISAs, any tips? should i start my first layer in april or is there any advice you can give me in order to balance it out.
I am also finding trouble in doing the scribble technique, should i try and memorise EVERYTHING in the textbook or important parts that are linked to the learning outcomes in the specification?
Hi Uzair, My practical exams got in the way of revision as well and it was a tricky period. However, theory from revision helped with the ISAs so keep pushing on with the scribble technique and your exam board textbooks. You will just have to balance both until the ISAs are done. My advice would be to complete the first layers on the theory that will be helpful for your ISAs.
If the text book is sponsored by the exam board and covers the whole specification then do not pick and choose what to revise using the learning outcomes – learn everything. Picking and choosing is a dangerous game a lot of students play and it doesn’t work.
Thanks for the reply. Yes I understand what you mean! Do u know any ways in which I can get used to the scribble technique. I am finding it pretty hard at the moment
Last week we had our Mock exams for AS, I didn’t do too well my grades were at both extremes of the spectrum with 3 U’s in Economics, Maths and Biology along with an A in French. I’m not too pleased with my results and neither are my parents and teachers. They’re always worried about my performance in school which is very off-putting.
In my defence, even though it is not a legitimate excuse I did not prepare well for ANY of my exams. Also, the teachers had given us homework up till the Friday before Mock week. Every time I tell my parents that I don’t have time or that I’m stressed they ramble on about how I’m wasting my time sleeping or messing around. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Today I had a realisation that I must change the way in which I prepare myself because I am sick of being the last-minute person and also the person who is never fulfilled with any achievements.
Please could you help by recommending some revision techniques for my designated subjects. My Biology teacher suggested I write concise notes on Index cards for each page of the textbook everyday. And also to memorise this EVERYDAY! What else would you say I do?
Thank you for popping up as the first video on YouTube for when I typed “A-level revision motivation”.
My parents used to moan at me too – they mean well 🙂 I don’t agree with your teachers advice and think you should use our scribble technique on a daily basis instead. There is not much I can offer over such a short message. I advise you to read through our book How to ACE Your A-levels. In our book you’ll find the 3 step ‘proactive’ plan where we walk you through how to stop being a last minute reactive person.
Firstly, thank you for replying to my comment :). I also wanted to add that the same day I wrote the last comment I bought your book and finished reading it yesterday over a period of 3 days. Oh and thank you for sending it within a short period of time!! I was not expecting it to come so quickly! 😀
I have started my first layer for Biology (as it is my last exam). As your cousin described in the book, as of yesterday I had 80 days to go until my first exam. Do you think this is enough time for me to be prepared? I have calculated that for a double spread of my textbook 10 minutes should be allocated for the scribble technique.
I am aiming for A’s in French (which is guaranteed because I am fluent), B in Maths because I will be continuing the subject next year. And A for Biology and Economics, because of the two I still don’t know which subject to drop.
I’m sorry my replies are so long there’s just so much I want to say to you, to thank you!
At this very early stage I’m getting very overwhelmed with the amount of revision I must do! Do you think I should first focus on revision then homework or vice versa?
I prioritised my revision over homework because I had a lot of retakes and had to work faster than my school. How many exams are you doing in the summer? Make sure you don’t get complacent with French and prepare thoroughly.
It’s only my first year of A-levels and so I have 3 exams for Bio, 2 for French, 3 for Maths and 2 for Economics. All between the 11th May and 5th June. So that’s a total of 10. WOAH that sounds like a lot :/.
As you suggested for your cousin, I’m spending roughly 10 days on my first repetition for each subject, however for French I’ll only be doing the past papers and looking over my notes on the 2nd and 3rd layers. I have added on the 8 days from French to my Biology (I struggle most with this subject) and an additional 2 days for Econ.
Hi, in my first year of A’s got two c’s and a B, these grades are not good enough to get me in to the un’s i want to go to, i am currently sitting my A2’s and they are ever so hard, i have decided to retake some AS modules alongside with A2’s so thats roughly around 9 exams. At this time in moment it looks like there is no hope. I don’t know how to revise effectively to get me 3 A’s?
How to ACE Your A-levels was primarily written for students in your situation, as I too performed quite badly during AS. Advising you over such a short message would not be helpful. I recommend you read through our book as it will probably answer a lot of the questions you have. The book is usually enough, however if you require further guidance, I also provide private mentoring. Please let me know if you’re interested.
How to Ace Your A-Levels 
hi
can i just say that your amazing for actually sharing ypur techniques. i have just started my as years and im studing biology, chemistry, maths and re. my GCSES was not what i wanted i got AAABBBBB and i have the dream of becoming a doctor and studying medicine and uni. At the moment i achieve average in topic tests D’s C’s and B@s..etc…
do you think i should still aim high?
thankyou very much !
🙂
Hi Jay,
Thanks for reading our book! You should most certainly aim high. I used to get those kind of grades in my AS year as well but improved after changing my attitude/learning techniques. Execute the 3 step plan in our book and you should see an improvement. If you don’t then drop me a PM on facebook and I’ll ask you a few question to dig deeper and find out what’s holding you back.
Becoming a doctor is a great ambition! However, be sure to look at minimum GCSE requirements set by universities for Medicine. If your GCSE’s don’t meet these requirements, then it may be best to apply for BioMed and then move onto medicine later.
Raja
Thankyou for all the advice..
just a question out the blue it would be waste of time redoing some gcses if they don’t meet the requirements for unis?
🙂
thankyou once a again
Hi Raja,
I got CDDE in my AS year, I am currently studying A2 (maths,chem and bio) and need to achieve at least 3 As, So I’m retaking all of my exams along with A2 aswell, totaling 14 exams.
I’m working really hard this year, but there’s no signs of improvement at all and I struggle to remember key points.
I was aiming high and thought it was totally possible to ace 14 exams with hard work but I’m now starting to doubt myself. I realised that I don’t have a good revision technique. I’m now going to buy your book as it looks amazing and seems like it could definitely help me achieve my targets.
Just a question though, I’ve seen on a couple of places you mentioning ‘power layer’, which takes 3-4 weeks a module? There’s currently 4 months till exams so I really can’t waste time, is there any faster techniques and methods which I can apply to my revision?
Thanks a lot 🙂
Hi,
Thank you for buying our book! The power layer requires learning your modules using the scribble technique before your teachers have taught them. Regardless, as you will see in the book, our scribble technique is the fastest and easiest way to absorb information. The more you do it, the faster you will get t memorising your course material.
Raja
Hi Raja,
May I please have your email address?? your book is amazing. I have used it and I actually have exams in June and May but I will need your piece of advice.
Thank you
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for reading our book! Please private message me on facebook…www.facebook.com/AceYourAlevels
Raja
Hie I just bought your book and I’m loving it so far it’s amazing . Do you think it’s too late to start my first layer? I’m retaking 2 AS modules and I was also wondering if I should revise for the AS first or A2
Hi,
Thanks for reading our book! It’s not too late at all but make sure you work quickly so you can get the first layers done a week or 2 before exams.
Raja
Hi raja, brought and read your book and its been one of the best investments I’ve ever made!
However, i do feel slightly confused in terms of where i start with revision.. Im retaking a Chemistry AS module to bump up my grade as i got a C overall at AS. In total I’ve got 6 exams in June. The first being the AS chemistry module. How long should i spend on each layer and do you think i should include exam practice in each layer for chemistry. (Btw my other alevels include Biology and PE). Also because i am retaking an AS module should i still try and implement the power rep although most of the module have been covered for Chemistry and Biology. Should i do the power rep with all my subjects?
You also mention about revising a subject at a time, with biology and chem we have 2 modules so do i start layers in both modules for each subject at the same time?
Thanks raja, uzair.
Hi Uzair,
Thanks for buying and reading our book! With 6 resits you have approximately 2 weeks per module. A power rep, is when you cover the material before it is taught in class so you could keep one step ahead of your teacher using the textbook. You can complete the other first layers of modules that have already been taught in class along side your power reps. In answer to your question, it’s fine to cover multiple subjects at the same time as long as you keep track of your progress.
Raja
Hi thanks for your reply raja. Just to correct you i have 1 AS resit and the other 5 are the A2 exams, so 6 exams in total. But I understand what you mean. So should i start revising for my resit once i complete my power rep
Yes, any power reps you can complete now you should try and complete first.
Hi raja, I’m planning to start my first layer, but this whole month we have our ISAs for Biology and Chemistry, so i am finding it difficult to balance out my normal exam revision as I have a lot of preparation to do for these ISAs, any tips? should i start my first layer in april or is there any advice you can give me in order to balance it out.
I am also finding trouble in doing the scribble technique, should i try and memorise EVERYTHING in the textbook or important parts that are linked to the learning outcomes in the specification?
Thanks Raja
Hi Uzair, My practical exams got in the way of revision as well and it was a tricky period. However, theory from revision helped with the ISAs so keep pushing on with the scribble technique and your exam board textbooks. You will just have to balance both until the ISAs are done. My advice would be to complete the first layers on the theory that will be helpful for your ISAs.
If the text book is sponsored by the exam board and covers the whole specification then do not pick and choose what to revise using the learning outcomes – learn everything. Picking and choosing is a dangerous game a lot of students play and it doesn’t work.
Raja
Thanks for the reply. Yes I understand what you mean! Do u know any ways in which I can get used to the scribble technique. I am finding it pretty hard at the moment
If it’s too difficult, then try splitting the page into 3 or 4 sections.
Good evening Raja and Anshul,
Last week we had our Mock exams for AS, I didn’t do too well my grades were at both extremes of the spectrum with 3 U’s in Economics, Maths and Biology along with an A in French. I’m not too pleased with my results and neither are my parents and teachers. They’re always worried about my performance in school which is very off-putting.
In my defence, even though it is not a legitimate excuse I did not prepare well for ANY of my exams. Also, the teachers had given us homework up till the Friday before Mock week. Every time I tell my parents that I don’t have time or that I’m stressed they ramble on about how I’m wasting my time sleeping or messing around. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Today I had a realisation that I must change the way in which I prepare myself because I am sick of being the last-minute person and also the person who is never fulfilled with any achievements.
Please could you help by recommending some revision techniques for my designated subjects. My Biology teacher suggested I write concise notes on Index cards for each page of the textbook everyday. And also to memorise this EVERYDAY! What else would you say I do?
Thank you for popping up as the first video on YouTube for when I typed “A-level revision motivation”.
Louisa
Sorry Raja, I thought Anshul was your partner :p
Hi Louisa,
My parents used to moan at me too – they mean well 🙂 I don’t agree with your teachers advice and think you should use our scribble technique on a daily basis instead. There is not much I can offer over such a short message. I advise you to read through our book How to ACE Your A-levels. In our book you’ll find the 3 step ‘proactive’ plan where we walk you through how to stop being a last minute reactive person.
Raja
Hello Raja,
Firstly, thank you for replying to my comment :). I also wanted to add that the same day I wrote the last comment I bought your book and finished reading it yesterday over a period of 3 days. Oh and thank you for sending it within a short period of time!! I was not expecting it to come so quickly! 😀
I have started my first layer for Biology (as it is my last exam). As your cousin described in the book, as of yesterday I had 80 days to go until my first exam. Do you think this is enough time for me to be prepared? I have calculated that for a double spread of my textbook 10 minutes should be allocated for the scribble technique.
I am aiming for A’s in French (which is guaranteed because I am fluent), B in Maths because I will be continuing the subject next year. And A for Biology and Economics, because of the two I still don’t know which subject to drop.
I’m sorry my replies are so long
there’s just so much I want to say to you, to thank you!
At this very early stage I’m getting very overwhelmed with the amount of revision I must do! Do you think I should first focus on revision then homework or vice versa?
Thank you,
Louisa
Hi Louisa,
I prioritised my revision over homework because I had a lot of retakes and had to work faster than my school. How many exams are you doing in the summer? Make sure you don’t get complacent with French and prepare thoroughly.
Raja
Hello again Raja,
It’s only my first year of A-levels and so I have 3 exams for Bio, 2 for French, 3 for Maths and 2 for Economics. All between the 11th May and 5th June. So that’s a total of 10. WOAH that sounds like a lot :/.
As you suggested for your cousin, I’m spending roughly 10 days on my first repetition for each subject, however for French I’ll only be doing the past papers and looking over my notes on the 2nd and 3rd layers. I have added on the 8 days from French to my Biology (I struggle most with this subject) and an additional 2 days for Econ.
Regards,
Louisa
Hi, in my first year of A’s got two c’s and a B, these grades are not good enough to get me in to the un’s i want to go to, i am currently sitting my A2’s and they are ever so hard, i have decided to retake some AS modules alongside with A2’s so thats roughly around 9 exams. At this time in moment it looks like there is no hope. I don’t know how to revise effectively to get me 3 A’s?
Hi Nayah,
How to ACE Your A-levels was primarily written for students in your situation, as I too performed quite badly during AS. Advising you over such a short message would not be helpful. I recommend you read through our book as it will probably answer a lot of the questions you have. The book is usually enough, however if you require further guidance, I also provide private mentoring. Please let me know if you’re interested.
Raja