Acing A-Level/IB Maths: Expert Advice from The Admissions Academy

A-Level/IB Maths is one of the most rewarding — and demanding — subjects you can take. Whether you’re studying IB, OCR A, AQA, or Edexcel Maths, success requires more than just knowing formulas. It’s about understanding concepts, recognising patterns, and applying logic under pressure.

At The Admissions Academy, we’ve helped countless students improve their A-Level Maths grades — often transforming C’s and B’s into A’s and A*s. The good news is that success doesn’t come down to “natural ability.” Anyone can achieve top marks with the right preparation, strategy, and mindset.

Here’s exactly how to get a great mark in A Level Maths.

1. Know the Whole Syllabus – Leave No Topic Behind

It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on your favourite topics and skipping the ones you find difficult. Many students secretly hope that areas like proof, vectors, or differential equations won’t come up. But examiners design papers to test the full range of the syllabus — and missing even one major topic could cost you a whole grade boundary.

Each exam board publishes a detailed specification outlining every skill you’re expected to know. Use it as your roadmap:

• Print out the syllabus and highlight each topic you’ve mastered.

• Make a list of the areas you’re avoiding and start tackling them first.

• Revisit every concept from both Year 12 and Year 13.

At The Admissions Academy, we train students to approach the syllabus holistically — not as separate topics, but as a connected system of ideas.

2. Do as Many Past Paper Questions as You Can.

If you only do one thing to prepare for A Level Maths, make it past paper practice.

Exam boards have patterns — question types, phrasing, and mark distribution tend to repeat. By doing as many past papers as possible from OCR, AQA, Edexcel, and Cambridge, you’ll start to see exactly what examiners love to ask.

After each paper, mark it carefully with the official mark scheme and ask yourself:

• Did I lose marks for not showing enough working?

• Did I make avoidable arithmetic or sign errors?

• Which question types still feel uncomfortable?

Fixing these patterns early is what separates top-grade students from the rest.

3. Memorise Your Equations

Even though formula booklets are provided, relying on them wastes valuable seconds and breaks your concentration.

Knowing your equations by heart allows you to recognise instantly which formula applies, save precious time on quick recall, and reduce the risk of miscopying or mixing up terms.

Make sure you know all the essential formulas for:

• Kinematics (SUVAT equations)

• Trigonometry (identities, double-angle formulas)

• Calculus (common derivatives and integrals)

• Coordinate geometry (lines, circles, gradients)

• Statistics and probability (mean, variance, combinations)

Use flashcards or spaced repetition apps to build recall. At The Admissions Academy, we often quiz our students at the start of lessons — just two minutes of recall practice a day can save you five minutes per question in the real exam.

4. Practise Problem-Solving and Multi-Step Reasoning

A Level Maths is about more than individual techniques — it’s about linking concepts together. Many students can handle short, direct questions but struggle with longer, multi-step problems.

These questions test not only your mathematical ability but also your reasoning, structure, and communication.

To strengthen your problem-solving skills:

• Work through challenge questions from textbooks.

• Learn to identify what type of problem you’re facing.

• Practise explaining your reasoning clearly — even if the steps feel obvious.

At The Admissions Academy, we train students to think like mathematicians — breaking down problems, looking for patterns, and connecting ideas logically.

5. Get Familiar with Your Calculator

Your calculator is one of your most powerful tools — but only if you know it inside out. Modern models like the Casio fx-991EX ClassWiz can handle complex calculations from solving quadratics to working with statistical distributions. Practise using your calculator for these tasks so it becomes second nature during exams.

6. Ask for Help When You Need It

Everyone finds certain topics tough — maybe trigonometric equations or parametric differentiation. The key is not to ignore them. Ask your teacher after class, work through examples with friends, or seek private tutoring. The Admissions Academy tutors focus on clarity, precision, and logical reasoning — the exact skills examiners look for.

7. Use Mark Schemes to Your Advantage

Mark schemes are your window into the examiner’s mind. Every time you do a past paper, mark it carefully using the official scheme.

You’ll start to notice patterns:

• The language examiners prefer (“hence,” “show that,” “state the exact value”).

• How they award method marks — even if your answer isn’t perfect.

• The level of detail expected for full credit.

By studying mark schemes from OCR, AQA, Edexcel, and Cambridge, you’ll understand exactly how to present your solutions clearly and concisely.

Conclusion

Getting a great mark in A Level Maths isn’t about luck — it’s about consistent, focused effort.

• Know your syllabus and leave no gaps.

• Practise past papers relentlessly.

• Memorise key formulas and use them fluently.

• Develop your problem-solving skills.

• Master your calculator.

• Ask for help early if needed.

• Learn from mark schemes.

At The Admissions Academy, we’ve seen students achieve incredible improvements using these strategies. Maths rewards logic, clarity, and practice — and with the right approach, you can absolutely achieve your target grade.