Every maths lesson at A-level will introduce something new, making it a fascinating but challenging subject. If students are to get the coveted A in A-level maths, they need to commit to the subject, listen to their teacher and, most importantly, keep practicing.

To manage the workload effectively and make sure they’re fully engaged with the material, students need the right preparation and a clear revision plan. This isn’t just about getting ready for exams. To see success, students must keep up with their homework before the next lesson and make sure they understand what they’ve been taught. Fail to do this and they’ll fall behind quickly. In such a full-on course, once this happens, it’s not possible to catch up later.

The right technology tools also help with this. Having a powerful scientific or graphic calculator is a start. But this alone won’t be enough if students don’t know how to make the most of it. Therefore, it’s important they’re able to take advantage of the available resources to learn how to use them effectively. 

So what should students do to ace A-level maths and set themselves up well for university and beyond? Here are a few tips to help.

The role of tools in acing A-level maths

A-level maths demands not only a deep understanding of concepts but also efficient problem-solving techniques. Tools like a graphic calculator can significantly boost performance by saving time and reducing errors. Functionality such as solving simultaneous equations, performing statistical analysis and working with matrices helps students tackle complex problems faster and more accurately. Intuitive navigation also makes it easier to access functions without hassle.

Other practical applications of graphic calculators include simplifying calculations in differentiation and integration, allowing students to focus on understanding the underlying concepts.

Effective study habits to master A-level maths

Success at A-level demands a deep understanding of complex concepts and a methodical approach to learning. The course has a broad syllabus and tests students’ problem-solving abilities. However, a clear study plan can help.

This lets students manage their workload effectively and build the skills needed for exam success. Rather than focusing solely on memorisation, using targeted strategies improves understanding and retention of key topics, ultimately boosting performance in the exam.

Strategies students can use to get the most out of their revision include:

Common mistakes students make (and how to avoid them)

There are a few common mistakes students are likely to make during their exam prep. Recognising these pitfalls and addressing them early is essential if students want to achieve the coveted A grade. Here are some of the most frequent errors and how to avoid them:

Not practicing past papers: Skipping past papers means missing out on crucial practice with exam-style questions. Regularly completing past papers helps students get familiar with the exam format and boosts both technique and confidence. Past papers can be easily found online using resources such as Maths Genie or Save my Exams. The main exam boards – AQA, OCR and Edexcel – also offer these on their websites.
Over-reliance on memorisation: Relying only on memorising formulas and procedures can result in a limited understanding. While it’s important to know things like the quadratic formula and straight line equation, as these won’t be provided in exams, students also need to understand how these can be applied to real-world problems. Purely focusing on rote memorisation means students could struggle to get to grips with the concepts behind the methods.
Ignoring weaker topics: It’s easy for students to avoid topics they find difficult, but this only weakens overall understanding. Devoting extra time to challenging areas helps ensure a well-rounded grasp of the subject. While this will vary from individual to individual, common areas that prove challenging include mechanics, proofs and modelling.
Not reviewing mistakes: Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Failing to review them prevents students from understanding where they went wrong and increases the risk of repeating them in the exam.
Failing to manage time during revision: Without proper time management, students may focus too much on one topic while neglecting others. Creating a structured study plan ensures balanced coverage of the entire syllabus. This can be tricky to manage, especially if students are actively trying to focus on weaker topics, but making sure they stick to the schedule will pay dividends.
Not committing fully to the subject: A-level maths is a demanding course and needs full commitment. This means practicing as often as possible and ensuring that homework is completed as soon as it is assigned, and always before the next lesson. If students don’t do this and start to fall behind, it will not be possible to catch up again.