The A-level results are out!
Maryam got an A in Biology and B in Physics. Danyal, a B in Physics.
[EDIT: The physics results were subsequently revised]
Maryam had a nightmare biology paper, so she’s overjoyed with that.
Both were initially disappointed with their physics, as was I, in part because they were both 1% from an A. Having let the results sink in, I’ve realised disappointment is totally nuts. B’s in Physics A-levels, aged 10 and 12, are incredible achievements (and they did them in 5 months flat of self-study).
Their results are possibly world-records for science A-levels (excluding maths), and if they’re not, they can’t be too far off.
There are two lessons learned…
- A-level Physics and Biology are tough subjects for young kids. Science A-level questions can be complex and many of them are just too difficult for young kids to understand and then explain even when they understand the concepts. And common sense and experience both help, both of which come with age.
- Perhaps, and I’m not sure of this, I should have been more involved with the physics. While I will continue to let them self-teach their Maths and Further Maths A-level, I’m going to add a weekly tutorial on the weekends to go over the material they’ve covered.
If the kids want to go to university they’ll probably redo their Physics A-levels at some point, but if they’re going to go into business, which is their most likely path, I don’t see the point in wasting time and effort…
The Wonder Years 
Hello Asim,
I will be going into sixth form and starting my A-Levels in 2 weeks and I am fascinated by the success of your children and how well you have done. I aspire to improve my mentality towards education by learning from you so I can achieve great things. I just have a few questions if that’s okay.
You mentioned you teach your kids using the oxford university style could you explain this to me so I can learn to use it. Also how do your children learn so much in such a short space of time and get top grades. Whats is the best strategy to revising and learning the subject efficiently. Do you use the intensity method I have seen you talk about?
I plan to study Economics, Biology, and another of which I have not decided. Any tips would be highly appreciated. I just want to do as well as I can.
Thanks so much I appreciate your work
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Calum
Oxford university = past papers + weekly tutorial where you make sure you understand those questions.
Intensely = lots of hours per day especially right up to exam.
Being brief, but the above 2 points can transform your grades…
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Asim, does Oxford maintain a collection of past papers for all courses?
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My college did for physics. Not sure about other courses and other colleges but I never heard a student complain that they couldn’t get past papers…
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I don’t know.
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I did physics AL at the age of 15 and what your kids did is more than incredible masha2 Allah. I wanted to know how did they study for the Lab papers in biology or physics? Did u have a small in home lab or how did it go
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