How to Revise for A Level Maths

A Level Maths is a huge step up from GCSE Maths, with longer, deeper, more complicated questions as well as so many new topics!

The right tutors can help turn method into mastery through one-to-one support and help build confidence, accuracy, and speed.

To get the highest marks in A-Level Maths, focus on:

1. Understanding Core Principles, Not Just Methods
2. Applying Knowledge Across Topics
3. Mastering Problem Solving and Exam Technique
4. Learning from Past Papers Effectively

Understanding Principles and Not Just Methods

It is not enough to just memorise formulas at A Level Maths. You need to understand where they are coming from, what they mean and why they work.

If you truly grasp the logic and reasoning behind formulas and topics, maths stops becoming memorisation – and becomes simply reasoning.

For example, rather than memorising all of the differentiation rules, understand what differentiation actually is – the rate of change. This will make it far easier to know how and when to use the different rules.

SmartX Tip: Learning “why” the rules work gives the flexibility to adapt when questions look unfamiliar.

Applying Knowledge Across Topics

A Level Maths will more often than not combine topic areas in questions. You may see algebra with trigonometry, or calculus with coordinate geometry.

For example, a question may be asking about motion but require differentiation or integration to solve.

If you recognise that these two relationships:

You will be able to easily move between topics instead of getting stuck in one area.

To strengthen this skill:

• Regularly practise mixed-topic problems.
• Ask yourself what the question is really asking for before starting
• Revise by theme (e.g. rates of change or graph transformations) rather than by chapter.

SmartX sessions are designed to build these bridges — helping you see the patterns that link algebra, calculus, statistics, and mechanics together.

Mastering Problem Solving and Exam Technique

A Level Maths will give method marks as well as answers. Put every step of your work down. This way, when you come to check your work, you can read it back as well.

SmartX’s Strategy for Problem Solving:

1. RTFQ – Read the Full Question
2. Plan First – identify which topic or formula applies
3. Show your steps – examiners want to see your logic
4. Check units and rounding – accuracy matters
5. Reflect – if your answer seems unrealistic, check your work

Using Past Papers Effectively

Past papers are your best friends. The best way to make sure you know how to apply your knowledge is through past papers. They can also give you a lot of information on what to revise next. This is how you should do every past paper:

• Complete a past paper in timed conditions
  • Make sure it is strictly timed, without any distractions. Pretend you are in your GCSE exam hall.
• Mark your work using the mark scheme but do NOT write the correct answers
  • When marking, use categories for lost marks, such as Silly Mistakes, Lack of Content, Not enough working out.
• Go over the wrong answers and reattempt them in a different coloured pen
• Mark your work again.
• Use the mark scheme to correct yourself and find any final lost marks.

This method is something SmartX Tutors use with students to help make a curated exam prep programme that can be used to build accuracy, confidence and exam timing.

A Level Maths success is not just going to come from memorising formulas but it will come from understanding. By training with real exam questions, you can approach your biology exams with clarity and confidence.

At SmartX Tutoring, our one-to-one Bi