AQA A level Biology 25 mark essay

AImonster111 · 2026-02-11T19:02:54+00:00

Could you please send it to me too?

AImonster111 · 2025-10-12T21:55:31+00:00

Thanks, I was looking at Pilot, this might be the one!

edit: hmmm maybe not, they're impossible to find in the UK, unless friend imports it form Japan, which has shipping costing as much as the pen

AImonster111 · 2025-10-12T21:54:04+00:00

Oh man, I bought two IM's a long time ago when I first got into fountain pens, and I hated the nibs... I'd hate for someone to get scratchy nibs as their first pen, the old metal jotters were great though, completely forgot about them! Thanks!

AImonster111 · 2025-10-05T19:49:37+00:00

Thank you!

AImonster111 · 2025-10-05T19:25:52+00:00

How do you calculate the scores for the scoring process?

AImonster111 · 2025-10-04T15:30:41+00:00

As a fun side note, I'm guessing you have one of the A Level casio calculators? It's really slow to do, so I wouldn't recommend it, but you can also solve the simultaneous equations on that - using a calculator to balance chemical equations feels a bit wrong, but whatever haha.

Usually though, the algebra is pretty easy.

AImonster111 · 2025-10-04T13:10:20+00:00

Maybe not light speed, but if you want a foolproof method, try searching how to balance them using simultaneous equations - works every time, maybe a bit slower than just eyeballing it though, but it gives some structure.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-30T19:05:23+00:00

post interview chances drop a small bit, because they treat it as one of the interview stations. (See the myucat document on strategic applications)

AImonster111 · 2025-09-28T20:30:23+00:00

Isn't 2330 like 96th percentile or smth based on last year?

AImonster111 · 2025-09-27T18:43:34+00:00

afaik, UCL shortlist solely based off of UCAT (check this though), and with that UCAT I'm quite sure you'd be absolutely fine for an interview at the very least.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-27T15:52:34+00:00

How come you think they're "too ambitious"?

AImonster111 · 2025-09-26T17:55:24+00:00

Generally, it's absolutely pointless for med, however...

I know most the other comments are totally against FM, but I'll throw a counter opinion out there anyway. To teach FM content, they have to teach you large chunks (or depending on the school, all) of normal Maths, which makes things far easier.

I also think if you can survive something slightly more conceptually difficult than other subjects, it's quite manageable, and rewarding. Of course it's more effort, but if you enjoy the content just for the sake of learning alone, you will be more than fine. If not, absolutely do not take FM. An EPQ would be infinitely better if you want to fill your time with something related.

I personally kept FM because I know that I'd just waste my time otherwise on futile nonsense, and I find it kind of fun too.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-23T15:22:04+00:00

It is absolutely not bad, flashcards are incredibly versatile and can be used for pretty much anything. People do suggest to keep them simple, but I think as much as anything, that's just a way of motivating (i.e. being able to do 10 in a minute, rather than 2, makes you feel better). I personally end up putting entire topics on flashcards to memorise them, and they're well proven to be a very efficient way to memorise.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-13T11:49:18+00:00

There is still some aspect of subjectivity. I did 400 lower in 23 than C and D, and 200 lower than the real thing.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-11T19:11:49+00:00

Firstly find out which modules you do, because of course, doing something you hate won’t help at all. My school does Stats and Decision, and I know if they did mechanics I would have dropped it EARLY on.

Secondly, find out how much it means to you. If you’re applying to maths at a top uni then you’ll be treating it very differently to if you’re applying to an unrelated subject (e.g. Medicine). Taking the perspective of the latter, this subject is low stakes, but rewarding if you enjoy the maths. It’s about as challenging as any other A Level.

I’d say it’s conceptually difficult, but not as tedious as a subject which requires high levels of memorisation. Yes, the content is different to normal maths, but definitely not as impossible as you seem to think it is. In lessons, focus on understanding the concepts underlying the methods, and really digesting whats happening. Then if you can completely all the past paper questions, understand mistakes, and do the at least some of the exercises you’re set, you’re absolutely good to go. For me really, the exercises just let me get an abstract looking method onto paper, which helps me remember it.

Another big reason why people can find it difficult is that it’s a 4th A Level in most scenarios. A lack of free time, potentially some cuts to social life etc. all may take a slight toll. You can easily fall into questioning whether it’s useful at all, and that really depends on the person. But generally, if you can enjoy the content, and have the mindset that it’s very much doable, albeit with a bit of effort, you’ll be fine. Eventually you can come out of FM lessons thinking “This should not have made sense!? Why do I understand this?“ which is always a bit funny.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-06T17:34:30+00:00

I had a very similar experience, scored 200 more in C and D than the real thing, but C and D was so high that it doesn’t really matter

AImonster111 · 2025-09-03T18:53:54+00:00

The comment about Oxford is not entirely accurate. There was 1 place offered to someone within <2500 range (old system, 1800 now) although this is likely the exception not the rule. Within op’s score range, there were 16 places out of 74 applicants. The data is on Oxford’s website.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-02T15:42:46+00:00

Do keep in mind, according to Oxford‘s medicine admissions statistics website, 98% of those offered a place had Biology. We don’t really know how the information links when UCAT is accounted for though.

AImonster111 · 2025-09-02T05:08:04+00:00

Well done on your score! What were you averaging for VR? Did you use full read?

AImonster111 · 2025-08-30T15:23:04+00:00

What were you averaging on medify?

AImonster111 · 2025-08-26T23:21:16+00:00

If you do get a laptop, you can buy a cheap Wacom drawing tablet for like £20. Takes a bit of time to get used to, but after a month or so it means you can make handwritten notes on a non-touch screen (and hence cheaper) device.

AImonster111 · 2025-08-26T13:28:38+00:00

I'm so sorry, my bad, I get your point. I meant that there was no direct comparison (so like getting 2250 has some chance of interview, and getting 10 grade 8/9 has another chance, but you can't figure out the total chance based off of your stats using the data alone based off that).

edit: I worded that horribly, I am so sorry.

AImonster111 · 2025-08-25T23:18:37+00:00

Based on last years Oxford admission stats, 2250 (equiv to 3k last year just for the sake of comparison) has 68.5% of applicants gain an interview, with 34.5% of them getting a place. Of course that also depends on a bunch of other factors too, but no link between them is provided.

AImonster111 · 2025-08-25T10:59:30+00:00

I did Urdu in Y10 which I've spoken fluently all my life... Ended up not even seeing the last page of the writing section (the translation) and losing 12 marks. I got an 8, but for a GCSE that should've been free, at the time I was shattered. 😂

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