In Singapore, science is an integral part of its education system and the country has some of the best science colleges and universities in the world.
For those taking A-Levels, they would have to contend with all the natural sciences and score well in each one of them: from biology to physics. The natural sciences come with various levels of difficulty and Biology is noted to be the easiest one of them all. Unfortunately, some students will not agree with this assessment of how easy biology. Even if it does not deal with a lot of equations, it has complex terms that can be hard to remember and spell.
Fortunately, there are ways to boost your chances of getting an A for your A-Level Biology.
To get you started, here are 5 study techniques you can apply to your study strategy so you can score high marks in A-Level Biology:
Learn the Terminology
One of the reasons many students find Biology intimidating is because of the terminologies used for the subject. Sometimes, these terminologies can even be hard to spell. Another thing hard to spell are the scientific names of fawn and fauna, which is also covered in Biology.
In order to get you through this major obstacle, you should start by making yourself familiar with all these terms and names one by one. A nice way to help you get familiar with these terms is by breaking down the terms and locate its root words. As you break down the terms, you can use the terms you list down as a hint to the main term you are trying to remember. You can even make mnemonics out of these terms for easier memorization.
You can also study each term one by one and learn of its origins and definition. Usually, exam questions would have hints taken from the definition of the term being asked which is why learning the definition of each term you encounter throughout your lessons can help a lot.
From the General to the Specific
Aside from remembering the terminologies that Biology covers, you will also need to understand the general concepts it covers before you look into the specific concepts. For example, you need to understand which features a mammal has before you go into specifics and determine the general characteristics of primates.
In order to train yourself in getting a good grasp of concepts, you need to study the basics first before you learn the advanced concepts. Using Mind Maps can help you link processes and their relationships together, as well as organize all the information related to the process you are studying.
You can begin your mind map by writing down the general concept then write the branches of the processes and relationships connected to it.
Embrace the Laboratory
Biology also has practical applications and if you want to learn more about the subject, you can go to the laboratory and see the processes in person. You can also use your time in the laboratory to try out your hypothesis and even explore various biological applications only defined in class for yourself. If you are not studying concepts, you can use your biology lab time in examining how certain things look like.
For example, you can use a microscope to study the nature of blood cells or you can cut down a frog to examine its organs.
Some say it is easier to learn things if you have a visual image and nothing says visual than a hands-on experience.
Use Drawings
Similar to the previous tip, it is best if you have a visual image of the thing you are trying to study, especially if it summarizes a complex terminology.
In Biology, drawings are very common to see as they illustrate how each process or cycle shifts and changes. It can also give you an idea of what a term is all about if the definition is hard to understand. In some cases, the drawings will give you a visual on how an organ function and where its parts are located.
Learning these drawings or diagrams is integral because some biology exams may ask you to draw and label each process or organ. If you are trying to fill in the blanks, you can draw the diagrams on the side of your paper and see which term you are looking for.
Engage a Specialized Tutor
Sometimes, self-study is not enough to prepare one’s self for an exam or a lesson, especially for subjects like Biology.
In Singapore, there are a lot of A-level tuition schools offering Biology tuition to students who need help with the subject. There are also tutors who offer special Biology tuition with their service. No matter which one you select, these groups can design special lessons that can help you understand the subject better. If you tend to have nerves acting up during your exams, they can also help you calm your nerves down and teach you calming techniques as well.
Having a tutor or being enrolled in an A-Level tuition school can also assist you in correcting your study strategy for all your subjects, including biology. If you wish to work on past exams, they can grade your work for you and give you insights on how you can improve your answers. Some A-level tuition schools and tutors can even give you pop quizzes based on old exam questions as part of their Biology tuition program.
Conclusion
There is always a trick that can help us understand difficult subjects like the natural sciences and ace it without worries. In the case of biology, you need to start with understanding the terminologies and make your way towards the charts and drawings to get a hang with the subject.
Don’t be disheartened if the terms are hard to remember or spell or if the processes are too complex to understand. Once you pick up your rhythm, relax and continue studying with your tutor or on your own, acing your A-Level biology should be no problem.
Need help with your A-levels? Here are some of the many articles that provide exam tips:
How To Start Your Intensive Revision For A-Levels General Paper?
Distinction for Singapore A-Level H2 Math – Tips You May Not Have Thought Of
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