IGCSE/GCSE/O & A Level/IB/University Student Forum
Qualification => GCE AS & A2 Level => Queries => Topic started by: **RoRo** on November 20, 2010, 08:15:09 pm
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Hey guys,
I have a question, I don't know how have I survived my IGCSE Biology and got an A* in that, I mean of course I studied and hence the A*, but what I mean is that Biology is the only subject that I haven't been able to figure out a proper way to study for it.
And now that I'm doing AS Biology, things can't get any better!
I need someone to tell me a way - how can I study for biology?
I've got my own lecture notes, teacher's notes, textbook, a simplified notes book and last but not the least - internet!
Is having all these resources too much and very distracting?
If yes, what would you suggest that I do?
Any help, ideas or suggestions are most welcome!! :)
Thanks a lot in advance!
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The problem is you and not the resources.
You're probably way too distracted with other stuff.
http://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/index.html
^^Best site for bio help/revision.
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It must not be distracting if you are a strong minded person. You may feel that studying biology is boring if you have too many resources, so if you feel like this then select out the best ones.
Hope you get on track!
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Look. First, it's all about constructing your revision in an organized manner. Chillax 8)
Second and most important, you have to know the basic points of all the chapters. Yeah, I know what you feel with a load of resources. But they're all really basically just to explain the fundamentals. For example- in the case of human physiology- you'd have to know all the organs involved, their roles to carry out the main function. Like in the circulatory system-you'd have to know about heart, the blood vessels and all of that. What are their roles? How is it done? How is it carried out and etc-are really the basic things that your revision should be able to answer.
And then of course, you should know how to apply this knowledge. That depends upon the pattern of the Q paper. For the quantitative analysis- you should know certain formula or whatever that would be needed for the experiments.
I hope you got what I meant. Practice your papers, never fear any part of the chapter or questions. It's okay to make mistakes but remember not to repeat them once you know them. Learn more about the things the examiner would be looking in a particular Q-it just makes you smarter cz you don't have to beat about the bush-you know what to write to get your marks that way. CZ...using your ATPs to write all that should be really worth it innit :D ;)
Take care!!!
Nid is missed for answering BIO Qs :D
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Firstly, I congratulate you for achieving Grade - A* in you IGCSE. ;)
Biology is an interesting and vast subject. But their is nothing to worry about it. You dont need that many resources to study biology. A good text book and an attentive mind are the only things that are required. (The book Biological Science 1 & 2 by D.J. Taylor is sure to get you an A* in your GCSE's. ;))
Here is a link to good study tips for biology - http://biology.about.com/od/biologyhomeworkhelp/a/aa120705a.htm
I think, M-H has said everything worth knowing for this topic. :P
P.S - Any doubts or questions, we are here to help. Good Luck!
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Hi 5 Amy!!! Another Bio luver ;D
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Amy? or Amelia? :P
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The problem is you and not the resources.
You're probably way too distracted with other stuff.
http://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/index.html
^^Best site for bio help/revision.
Okay...I don't think I'd be way too distracted for 3-4 years! LOL :D
Thanks for the site anyways, and yea, you could be right about being distracted, but why is it only for bio? Math and chem go pretty well with me!
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It must not be distracting if you are a strong minded person. You may feel that studying biology is boring if you have too many resources, so if you feel like this then select out the best ones.
Hope you get on track!
I am PLUS a moody person too at the same time, in the sense I'd do something only if I'm in the mood for it, otherwise, no!
Except if I have a test and then, it's just like I don't have any other option but to actually study!
I find biology very lengthy and full of details and each book/resource has a part of the information!
I think I'd have to make a summary of all the points in all those resources and form a new book for me then!
Thanks Master_Key! :)
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Look. First, it's all about constructing your revision in an organized manner. Chillax 8)
Second and most important, you have to know the basic points of all the chapters. Yeah, I know what you feel with a load of resources. But they're all really basically just to explain the fundamentals. For example- in the case of human physiology- you'd have to know all the organs involved, their roles to carry out the main function. Like in the circulatory system-you'd have to know about heart, the blood vessels and all of that. What are their roles? How is it done? How is it carried out and etc-are really the basic things that your revision should be able to answer.
And then of course, you should know how to apply this knowledge. That depends upon the pattern of the Q paper. For the quantitative analysis- you should know certain formula or whatever that would be needed for the experiments.
I hope you got what I meant. Practice your papers, never fear any part of the chapter or questions. It's okay to make mistakes but remember not to repeat them once you know them. Learn more about the things the examiner would be looking in a particular Q-it just makes you smarter cz you don't have to beat about the bush-you know what to write to get your marks that way. CZ...using your ATPs to write all that should be really worth it innit :D ;)
Take care!!!
Nid is missed for answering BIO Qs :D
mmmm... I like the last part about looking for what the examiner wants, I need that DESPERATELY!
Thanks a lot for your tips! :)
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Firstly, I congratulate you for achieving Grade - A* in you IGCSE. ;)
Biology is an interesting and vast subject. But their is nothing to worry about it. You dont need that many resources to study biology. A good text book and an attentive mind are the only things that are required. (The book Biological Science 1 & 2 by D.J. Taylor is sure to get you an A* in your GCSE's. ;))
Here is a link to good study tips for biology - http://biology.about.com/od/biologyhomeworkhelp/a/aa120705a.htm
I think, M-H has said everything worth knowing for this topic. :P
P.S - Any doubts or questions, we are here to help. Good Luck!
Thank you! :D
I have another text book by Mary Jones, it's pretty good too. I'll check the book you suggested in our school library then!
Thanks for the link, it gave me a few ideas to work on! :)
I know, that's one thing I love about StudentForum!
Thanks a lot!! :)
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I am PLUS a moody person too at the same time, in the sense I'd do something only if I'm in the mood for it, otherwise, no!
Except if I have a test and then, it's just like I don't have any other option but to actually study!
I find biology very lengthy and full of details and each book/resource has a part of the information!
I think I'd have to make a summary of all the points in all those resources and form a new book for me then!
Thanks Master_Key! :)
You are welcome. ;)
REMEMBER IF YOU FIND BIOLOGY VERY LENGTHY THEN INSTEAD OF READING TOO MUCH, UNDERSTAND IT!
I ADVICE YOU TO SEE MORE OF VIDEOS, FLASH AND ANIMATIONS IF YOU FIND BIOLOGY LENGTHY. IF YOU NEED LINKS THEN ASK.
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Matey, for A-level Biology, Advanced Biology by Jones and Jones (i.e. Mary Jones and Geoff Jones) is like THE BEST. Also, if you're doing your exam under edexcel- Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology is great too. These books are the best I ever read. They're so cool :). They explain very very well. The book by Jones and Jones can be used by anyone anytime! And that's because it's follows the CIE syllabus-which's international.
It's not necessary for you to study thru videos and stuff like that always. It would just make your studying more interesting. But if you haven't done that ever, don't do that all of a sudden. For those who don't study that way, it can often be difficult to start and then continue. Anyway, you're good in any case, I mean hello an A* (By the way-congratulations :P :D). And about knowing what the examiner wants, go thru the mark schemes thoroughly and the Examiner reports-if you'd like to. Don't go thru a lot of them- the examiner reports. Remember you're doing that only to form an idea about what they're looking for-which is pretty much obvious from the mark schemes anyway!
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Amy for short, ain't that okay?? :P :)
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Matey, for A-level Biology, Advanced Biology by Jones and Jones (i.e. Mary Jones and Geoff Jones) is like THE BEST. Also, if you're doing your exam under edexcel- Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology is great too. These books are the best I ever read. They're so cool :). They explain very very well. The book by Jones and Jones can be used by anyone anytime! And that's because it's follows the CIE syllabus-which's international.
It's not necessary for you to study thru videos and stuff like that always. It would just make your studying more interesting. But if you haven't done that ever, don't do that all of a sudden. For those who don't study that way, it can often be difficult to start and then continue. Anyway, you're good in any case, I mean hello an A* (By the way-congratulations :P :D). And about knowing what the examiner wants, go thru the mark schemes thoroughly and the Examiner reports-if you'd like to. Don't go thru a lot of them- the examiner reports. Remember you're doing that only to form an idea about what they're looking for-which is pretty much obvious from the mark schemes anyway!
I agree with you. Its totally on the student. No one can explain in a better way if the student doesn't like that way.
I just advised because it was too lengthy for him.
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Amy for short, ain't that okay?? :P :)
Yep! its pretty cool. :D *hi5* ;) :D
The Secret - your welcome.
That Mary Jones text book is also equally good ;). But yes, I suggest you check Biological Sciences too. Videos are like a revision, its makes you thorough. ;)
And ofcourse, the past papers are the vital part. Practise the papers of the past 10 years.
umm...yup, that's about all I can say now.
P.S - I forgot mk is a bio student, too. :D
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Yep! its pretty cool. :D *hi5* ;) :D
The Secret - your welcome.
That Mary Jones text book is also equally good ;). But yes, I suggest you check Biological Sciences too. Videos are like a revision, its makes you thorough. ;)
And ofcourse, the past papers are the vital part. Practise the papers of the past 10 years.
umm...yup, that's about all I can say now.
P.S - I forgot mk is a bio student, too. :D
How can you?
I am a student of :-
PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
MATHS
COMPUTING
ENGLISH
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How can you?
I am a student of :-
PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
MATHS
COMPUTING
ENGLISH
Whoa!! last time I had these subjects I was in GD. 10. :D
Sorry, mk. I wont forget now. Promise.
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Whoa!! last time I had these subjects I was in GD. 10. :D
Sorry, mk. I wont forget now. Promise.
I have these subjects in AS Levels. :P
DO NOT TRY TO FORGET.
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Matey, for A-level Biology, Advanced Biology by Jones and Jones (i.e. Mary Jones and Geoff Jones) is like THE BEST. Also, if you're doing your exam under edexcel- Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology is great too. These books are the best I ever read. They're so cool :). They explain very very well. The book by Jones and Jones can be used by anyone anytime! And that's because it's follows the CIE syllabus-which's international.
It's not necessary for you to study thru videos and stuff like that always. It would just make your studying more interesting. But if you haven't done that ever, don't do that all of a sudden. For those who don't study that way, it can often be difficult to start and then continue. Anyway, you're good in any case, I mean hello an A* (By the way-congratulations :P :D). And about knowing what the examiner wants, go thru the mark schemes thoroughly and the Examiner reports-if you'd like to. Don't go thru a lot of them- the examiner reports. Remember you're doing that only to form an idea about what they're looking for-which is pretty much obvious from the mark schemes anyway!
I agree, I just used it over the weekend to study 'Biological Molecules' and it turned out to be really good!
The reason I didn't discover that earlier is that IGCSE book that my school recommended was AWFUL - literally, I just opened it in Year 9 but then it remained in my cupboard rarely touched till I got my A* and decided to shift it to another cupboard to make space for my AS/A level books!
& Thank you! :D
Examiner reports are pretty good, to be honest, they do give you an idea of what is expected, they did help in IGCSE, so I'll definitely have a look at them!
What almost all the teachers have said in my school was that if you've gotten an A* in your IGCSE, you'll get a C or a D in AS/A levels, that was pretty much motivating *cough*cough* - absolutely not!
So I really don't want that to happen at all, I'm aiming for A's in AS and A* in A-levels Insha'Allah!! :)
Thanks a lot!! :)
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You can do it inshallah. Believe in yourself. :) But dont get overconfident. :P
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You can do it inshallah. Believe in yourself. :) But dont get overconfident. :P
Sure! Thanks a lot once again! :D
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I hear myself in your question you posted. But that was more than 12 years ago!
I would suggest you to follow a step by step approach when dealing with AS Biology. Try to simplify things.
Regarding the resources it does NOT matter but you must follow your syllabus no matter what! Let your syllabus be your guide.
Last but not least visit my site www.igcsebiology.co.uk and post a question in the A-level page or the Coaching page.
We can have a live discussion or I can show you an example of how you can study a topic.
I'm glad I'm not the "weirdo" here because reading people's replies and seeing my classmates and friends in school, seems that people are having a pretty good time with Biology, unlike me!
I do like to have everything simplified, I can't stand complications at all in anything in general and in studies to be very specific!
When I understand something, I understand it in a very simple way and that's how I can build up on it and advance it.
Sure, the syllabus is really helpful and it's a pretty good guide.
But, many a times I find things that are not there in the syllabus but are asked in the exam papers... I've seen that especially in IGCSE, where questions about certain aspects in the syllabus that are not mentioned [like the hidden part of the syllabus! LOL :D]
But it is, no doubt, very helpful!
I've just downloaded the Revision Checklist that you've included in your website [which is really good by the way], I'll go through it and I hope things work out well!! :)
Thanks a lot!! :D
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I agree, I just used it over the weekend to study 'Biological Molecules' and it turned out to be really good!
The reason I didn't discover that earlier is that IGCSE book that my school recommended was AWFUL - literally, I just opened it in Year 9 but then it remained in my cupboard rarely touched till I got my A* and decided to shift it to another cupboard to make space for my AS/A level books!
& Thank you! :D
Examiner reports are pretty good, to be honest, they do give you an idea of what is expected, they did help in IGCSE, so I'll definitely have a look at them!
What almost all the teachers have said in my school was that if you've gotten an A* in your IGCSE, you'll get a C or a D in AS/A levels, that was pretty much motivating *cough*cough* - absolutely not!
So I really don't want that to happen at all, I'm aiming for A's in AS and A* in A-levels Insha'Allah!! :)
Thanks a lot!! :)
I really hope that doesn't happen..well I'll just share my experience.
Yeah, so, well..I am believed to be one of the best in bio...I thought so too...got a B...shocker...felt awful..but wth-grades don't show my true potential..so I am repeating..I mean who can bring me down..better die trying than just let go ;D ;D..So I'll repeat next Jan, and will try not to repeat my mistakes..let's hope for the best :|
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I really hope that doesn't happen..well I'll just share my experience.
Yeah, so, well..I am believed to be one of the best in bio...I thought so too...got a B...shocker...felt awful..but wth-grades don't show my true potential..so I am repeating..I mean who can bring me down..better die trying than just let go ;D ;D..So I'll repeat next Jan, and will try not to repeat my mistakes..let's hope for the best :|
That's sad! :(
Good luck in January then, I hope you'd get your A!! :D
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I really hope that doesn't happen..well I'll just share my experience.
Yeah, so, well..I am believed to be one of the best in bio...I thought so too...got a B...shocker...felt awful..but wth-grades don't show my true potential..so I am repeating..I mean who can bring me down..better die trying than just let go ;D ;D..So I'll repeat next Jan, and will try not to repeat my mistakes..let's hope for the best :|
Good Luck, girl!! ;D