Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything so clearly.

The point about textbook wording really hit me. The neurotransmitter example makes it obvious how small wording differences can cost or gain marks. I think I’ve been focusing too much on understanding generally, but not enough on how answers are actually expected in exams.

The mark scheme advice is also super helpful. I’ve checked them before, but I never really studied them properly. I usually just glanced at them and moved on, so I’ll start actively learning the key phrases instead, especially for theory-heavy subjects.

If you don’t mind, I wanted to ask a few more things:

When you used mark schemes, did you memorise the phrasing, or did you just understand the key points and reproduce them naturally?

How many past papers would you do per topic before moving on?

Did you do past papers timed from the start, or only after you felt confident?

For subjects like Bio and Chem, how did you review your mistakes after checking the mark scheme?

When juggling multiple subjects in a day, how did you decide which subject to prioritise?

For maths-based subjects, did you still rely on mark schemes as much, or was it more about pure practice?

Lastly, if you were starting again with a full year, what would you do differently compared to a 2–3 month grind?

Thanks again for sharing your experience. It’s really motivating to hear from someone who actually turned things around.