The Exam Routine That Got Me STRAIGHT As / A*s in my A-Level Exams

About this video

• Video Title: The Exam Routine That Got Me STRAIGHT As / A*s in my A-Level Exams
• Channel: Matthew Smith
• Speakers: Matthew Smith
• Duration: 00:11:42

Overview

This video outlines a highly effective exam routine designed to achieve top grades in A-level exams. The speaker shares personal strategies covering waking up, utilizing school time, optimizing focus with study tips, and prioritizing self-care through exercise, diet, and sleep management. The core message emphasizes that consistent application of these principles is key to academic success.

Key takeaways

• Mindset: Adopt an urgent mindset as soon as exam season begins, as mock results do not determine final outcomes.
• Waking Up Early: Rise around 6:30-7:30 AM to leverage peak alertness for focused study before school or for dedicated weekend study sessions.
• Leveraging School Time: Maximize study efficiency by utilizing free periods at school, as it's often a more focused environment than home.
• Optimizing Focus: Employ active recall methods, particularly through consistent practice of past papers, and create an "error booklet" to target specific weaknesses.
• Study Techniques: Implement the 50/10 rule (50 minutes study, 10 minutes break) to maintain high focus, and apply the 80/20 rule by concentrating on high-impact study methods like past papers over less effective ones like note-rewriting.
• Self-Optimization: Prioritize physical and mental well-being through regular exercise (e.g., 2-3 times a week), a healthy diet (avoiding processed foods), and managing phone usage (deleting distracting apps, using grayscale).
• Importance of Sleep: Ensure adequate sleep (8-9 hours) as it acts as the "save button" for learned information, crucial for retaining knowledge gained during study.