How to Achieve an A* in A-Level Maths: A 4-Step Guide
- Tutorberry
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Aiming for an A* in A-Level Maths requires more than just solving questions - it’s about mastering concepts, applying problem-solving strategies, and refining exam techniques. To achieve this, students should approach their studies in stages, gradually moving from understanding the basics to working through tricky exam questions.
Stage 1: Understanding the Basics (Foundation Stage)
Goal: Build a strong foundation in core concepts.
Before tackling practice questions, ensure a solid grasp of the content by reading core textbooks and revision guides. Core textbooks offer in-depth explanations, while guides like CGP books highlight key concepts for efficient learning.
If you're a visual or auditory learner, video tutorials can be an excellent alternative to textbooks. Platforms like Exam Solutions and Physics and Maths Tutor offer clear, structured explanations that can deepen your understanding.
For those who learn best through reading and writing, creating summary notes, mind maps, or flashcards can reinforce key concepts. Be sure to highlight essential formulas and definitions to make revision easier.
After building a solid foundation, test your understanding with basic practice questions from textbooks or exam board resources before advancing to more complex problems.
Key Tip: Don't rush! Ensure you fully understand why a method works before moving on.
Stage 2: Practice & Application (Active Learning Stage)
Goal: Apply knowledge to a variety of questions and reinforce problem-solving skills.
Progress gradually - start with textbook exercises to build confidence, then move on to past paper questions for deeper understanding. Transitioning from textbook exercises, which focus on one topic, to exam questions that integrate multiple topics can be daunting at first. Take it slow and work your way up.
Recognise question patterns and develop effective strategies for solving them efficiently.
Learn from mistakes - keep an error log and review tricky topics weekly. Creating high-quality revision notes or cheat sheets at this stage can be invaluable for quick revision.
Implement timed practice to improve speed, accuracy, and preparedness for exams. Time constraints can often lead to new errors, so incorporate time pressure early to become accustomed to it.
Key Tip: Focus on method marks! Even if the final answer is wrong, you can still get most of the marks in exams.
Stage 3: Exam Strategy & Refinement (Mastery Stage)
Goal: Develop exam confidence and maximise marks.
Complete full past papers under exam conditions. While this may feel intimidating at first, try your best to time your attempts. Focus on speed and accuracy.
Analyse mark schemes carefully to understand how answers should be structured. Learning what is required for each mark will help you use the allocated marks as hints for the correct method.
Identify weak areas and target revision accordingly. If certain topics still feel unclear, don’t hesitate to revisit Stage 2 and work through textbook questions again. It’s completely normal for different topics to be at different stages of mastery.
Learn to think like an examiner. Understanding what examiners look for in each step of a solution can give you an edge. Examiner reports are an excellent resource for gaining insight into common pitfalls and expected answer structures.
Key Tip: The key to an A* is consistency—regularly expose yourself to A* questions and exam-style problems.
Stage 4: Final Preparation & Peak Performance (Exam Readiness Stage)
Goal: Fine-tune revision and enter the exam feeling fully prepared.
Prioritise high-yield topics – Focus on areas that consistently appear in past exams. In A-Level Maths, topics like Trigonometry, Differentiation, Integration, and Graphs feature in nearly every paper.
Review key formulas and tricky concepts – Ensure you have memorised essential formulas and understand how to apply them in different question contexts.
Use active recall techniques – Reinforce learning by explaining concepts aloud or teaching someone else. This method, known as the Feynman Technique, helps solidify understanding and identify weak spots.
"If you can't explain something in simple terms, you don't understand it well enough." – Richard Feynman
Simulate exam conditions – Practice under timed conditions to build speed, accuracy, and exam confidence.
Look after your well-being – Maintain a steady revision routine, prioritise sleep, and manage stress effectively to ensure peak performance.
Key Tip: Stay calm and confident. You’ve done the hard work—trust in your preparation!
Follow all steps to achieve an A* in A Level Maths!
By following this structured learning approach, you can progress from foundational understanding to true mastery, giving yourself the best chance of securing an A* in A-Level Maths. The key is to move through each stage strategically, practice consistently, and refine your exam techniques for maximum performance.
Remember—A-Level Maths tests a finite pool of concepts and question types. With thorough preparation and the right strategies, success is completely within your reach!
If you're looking for expert support, our experienced tutors at Tutorberry specialise in GCSE Maths Tuition and A-Level Maths Tuition, providing tailored guidance to help students excel. Get in touch today and take your maths skills to the next level!
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