How to teach yourself A-level maths! (And do really well)

Overview (main ideas)

The video presents an 8-step, practical method the creator used to teach themself A‑level maths and achieve an A. The approach stresses self-awareness: adapt the method to your needs, be persistent, and practice under exam-like pressure.

Key points:

• Build a weekly “blueprint” of what to learn (lesson-by-lesson, not a single massive year plan).
• Use high-quality online walkthroughs for explanation.
• Progress through increasing levels of practice: textbook → exam-style → past papers.
• Learn from mistakes and simulate exam conditions before mocks and finals.

Time examples: studying an individual topic can take 10 minutes to 2–3 hours (some tricky topics took days). The creator typically spent about 7 hours/week outside lessons on this routine.

Detailed step-by-step method

Step 1 — Create the blueprint (weekly, lesson-by-lesson)

After each lesson, write down:

• All questions you had (use square paper if you like).
• The specific topic(s) covered.

If you’re a private candidate or don’t get lessons, use your exam board specification (e.g., “AQA A‑level maths specification”) to plan topics. Make a blueprint per lesson/week to keep the workload manageable.

Step 2 — Use the blueprint (the core “teach yourself” step)

Four actions to do in your free periods or after school:

1. Find free time after school or during free periods to study the lesson topic.
2. Revisit your class notes as a reference.
3. Watch clear topic walkthroughs (recommended: ExamSolutions on YouTube) that answer your questions.
4. Make detailed notes while watching; rewind sections until you can explain the method yourself.

If one video/resource doesn’t help, try other online resources or ask friends/teachers. Example workflow: take notes in lesson → rewatch a relevant ExamSolutions video → pause/rewind and write explanations until you understand. Time per topic varies from ~10 minutes to several hours or days for harder topics.

Step 3 — Do textbook questions (consolidation)

• After studying the topic, do textbook/homework questions to make concepts stick.
• Use confusing homework as motivation to return to Step 2 — don’t cheat on homework; the struggle is part of learning.
• When textbook questions feel easy, move to harder problems.

Step 4 — Do harder exam-style questions (progressive overload)

• Treat textbook questions as Level 1; move to Level 2: exam-style question booklets (e.g., MathsAndPhysicsTutor booklets).
• First attempts can be open‑book, but push yourself to try solutions before consulting notes.
• Intentionally struggle and make mistakes, then iterate and check mark schemes/solutions.
• If a mark scheme solution is unclear, find an ExamSolutions video for that exact question.
• Grind through whole booklets during free time until confident.

Step 5 — Repeat Steps 1–4 throughout the term/semester

• Stay on top of new content weekly; if you’re improving week-to-week, keep going.
• Typical extra workload: about 7 hours/week outside lessons (adjust to your schedule and other subjects).
• Keep notes organized in a folder for easy reference.
• Balance other subjects — switch when you need variety or to meet deadlines.

Step 6 — Before mock exams: past papers in exam conditions

• Level 3 practice: do recent past papers (e.g., the previous 4–5 years) under timed, strictly exam conditions.
• Simulate pressure (pretend grades are on the line) to train time management and stress handling.
• This exposes you to mixed-topic papers and strengthens problem-solving under realistic constraints.

Step 7 — After mocks: repeat Steps 1–4, maintain resilience

• After a short break, restart Steps 1–4 for the next semester (topics get harder but remain manageable).
• Maintain discipline and visualize success. Be persistent.
• Take care of mental health: schedule breaks, see friends, and celebrate progress.

Step 8 — Final run-up to summer exams (1–2 months out)

• Prioritize timed past papers as the main revision tool; focus on exam technique.
• Target discriminating/tricky questions that separate high grades.
• Read examiners’ reports to learn common mistakes and examiner expectations.
• Re-do topic booklets and past papers multiple times (the creator re-did past papers repeatedly).
• Use harder-than-exam papers (e.g., Solomon Press) so the real exam feels easier.
• Concentrate on closing weaknesses and consolidating speed and accuracy.

Additional tips, mindset, and practical points

• Be curious and adapt the method to your learning style; there’s no single “absolute” method.
• Fastest learning comes from making and correcting mistakes — iterate until solutions make sense.
• Don’t rely solely on mark schemes if they’re unclear — find video walkthroughs for clarity.
• Organize notes and blueprints weekly; tidy folders improve review efficiency.
• Treat difficult topics as challenges rather than threats — adopt a problem-solving mindset.
• Balance workload with other subjects — you don’t need perfect structure if you find a rhythm that works.

Resources and recommended materials

• ExamSolutions (YouTube walkthroughs) — core video explanations
• MathsAndPhysicsTutor (mathsandphysicstutor.com) — exam-style question booklets
• Solomon Press — harder practice papers
• Your exam board specification and past papers (e.g., AQA, Edexcel, OCR)
• Textbooks and mark schemes
• Examiners’ reports (to learn common mistakes and examiner expectations)
• Friends and teachers for help when stuck

Speakers / sources featured or mentioned

• Primary speaker: the video creator / narrator (personal account and instructor for the method).
• External resources mentioned: ExamSolutions, MathsAndPhysicsTutor, Solomon Press, AQA (or other exam boards) specifications and past papers, mark schemes, examiners’ reports, textbooks, and friends/teachers.

If you want, I can convert this into a printable checklist or a weekly schedule template tailored to your current lessons/specification. Which exam board are you using (AQA, Edexcel, OCR)?