Using Topical Questions for Targeted A-Level Revision

Topical questions—past paper questions organized by topic rather than by year—are one of the most effective tools for A-Level revision. This strategic approach allows you to master one concept at a time before moving on.

What Are Topical Questions?

Unlike full past papers which test your knowledge across all topics, topical questions group similar questions from different years together. For example, all integration questions from the past 10 years of Maths papers would be collected in one place.

Benefits of This Approach

Focused practice: Master one topic at a time
Identify patterns: See how the same concept is tested differently
Efficient learning: Address weaknesses systematically
Build confidence: Progress from easier to harder questions
Better retention: Spaced repetition of similar concepts

How to Use Topical Questions Effectively

Step 1: Identify Your Weak Topics

Start by completing a diagnostic test or past paper to identify which topics you struggle with. Don't just focus on what you find difficult—also note topics where you're slower than you should be.

Step 2: Start with Fundamentals

Before attempting questions, review the theory. Ensure you understand the underlying concepts, formulas, and methods. Watch tutorial videos or read your textbook if needed.

Step 3: Practice Progressively

Begin with easier questions to build confidence, then progress to more challenging ones. Many topical question banks (like ExamWise) organize questions by difficulty, making this easy.

Step 4: Mark Your Work Immediately

Don't wait to mark multiple questions. Check each answer as you complete it, using mark schemes to understand where marks are awarded. This immediate feedback is crucial for learning.

Step 5: Analyze Your Mistakes

For every mistake, identify why you got it wrong:

Did you misunderstand the concept?
Was it a calculation error?
Did you misread the question?
Did you run out of time?

Step 6: Repeat Similar Questions

If you struggled with a question type, find more similar questions and practice until it becomes automatic. This is where topical questions excel—you have multiple examples of the same concept.

Subject-Specific Strategies

Mathematics

Focus on one technique at a time. For example, spend a session on integration by parts, then by substitution. Once comfortable with each method individually, practice mixed questions that require choosing the right approach.

Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Organize your practice around specification topics. For each topic:

Review theory and key definitions
Practice shorter knowledge-based questions
Attempt longer application questions
Complete practical-based questions

Essay Subjects (English, History, Economics)

Group questions by theme or skill (e.g., all questions about a particular text, historical period, or economic concept). This helps you develop depth of knowledge and varied arguments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Doing Too Many Questions Without Review

Quality over quantity. It's better to complete 10 questions thoroughly, understanding every mark scheme point, than to rush through 50 questions without proper analysis.

Only Practicing What You're Good At

It feels good to get questions right, but you learn more from mistakes. Prioritize topics you struggle with, even though it's less comfortable.

Not Using Mark Schemes Properly

Mark schemes aren't just for checking answers—they show you exactly what examiners want. Study them to understand required detail, key terminology, and common alternative answers.

Forgetting to Time Yourself

While learning, take your time. But periodically practice under timed conditions to build exam speed and identify if time management is an issue.

Creating a Topical Revision Schedule

Long-Term Approach (6+ Months)

Work through topics systematically in specification order:

Week 1-2: Topic 1 (theory + 20-30 questions)
Week 3-4: Topic 2 (theory + 20-30 questions)
Week 5: Mixed Topic 1-2 questions
Continue this pattern through all topics

Short-Term Approach (3 Months)

Focus on weakest topics first:

Identify your bottom 5 topics
Dedicate 2 weeks each to intensive practice
Review strongest topics briefly to maintain them
Final month: mixed practice and full papers

Last-Minute Approach (1 Month)

Target high-yield topics that appear frequently:

Use trend analysis to identify commonly tested areas
Practice 10-15 questions per topic
Focus on topics worth the most marks
Final week: full papers only

Combining Topical Questions with Full Papers

Both approaches are valuable at different stages:

Early Revision (4+ Months Out)

90% topical questions: Build topic-by-topic mastery
10% full papers: Occasional diagnostic tests

Mid Revision (2-4 Months Out)

60% topical questions: Continue strengthening weak areas
40% full papers: Build exam stamina and technique

Late Revision (Last Month)

30% topical questions: Final weak area fixes
70% full papers: Exam conditions practice

Using ExamWise for Topical Practice

ExamWise makes topical revision effortless:

Questions automatically organized by specification topic
Filter by difficulty level to progress gradually
Track which questions you've attempted
Access mark schemes and solutions instantly
Use Wizard to identify high-frequency topics
Create custom worksheets mixing multiple topics

Measuring Progress

Track your improvement by:

Recording percentage scores for each topic
Noting which question types you consistently struggle with
Timing yourself and comparing to target times
Retesting topics after a week to check retention

Final Thoughts

Topical questions are most effective when used strategically as part of a comprehensive revision plan. They're perfect for building foundational knowledge and addressing weaknesses, but should be complemented with full papers closer to exams.

Remember: the goal isn't just to answer questions correctly, but to deeply understand the underlying concepts so you can handle any variant the examiners might throw at you.

Start your topical revision today and watch your confidence and grades improve systematically!