...50 each plus p&p
Available from the Heinemann website.
The biology and chemistry books are available for OCR or AQA specifications. They also do physics for the same exam boards. Unfortunately they do not do these books for geography (which is my 3rd A-Level). After browsing the Heinemann ... Read review
Advantages: Interesting, bullet points, good diagrams Disadvantages: Not in colour, some parts not detailed enough
...p&p
Available from the Heinemann website.
The biology and chemistry books are available for OCR or AQA specifications. They also do physics for the same exam boards. Unfortunately they do not do these books for geography (which is my 3rd A-Level). After browsing the Heinemann website it appears that it is only the science subjects that are available in this range but it would be worth checking the subject you are looking for ... more
Revision can be really dull sometimes. There's nothing worse than having a huge pile of notes or a thick textbook and not knowing where to start with revision. Having two A-level exams and some AS level re-sits in January, I need something that will keep me on task as well as enable me to learn all the material required.
That's where these books come in. I have four of them: 2 AS and 2 A2 (Biology and Chemistry.) The AS books each have three modules notes and each A2 have 2 modules notes.
I found these books in the library at school but they only had the chemistry ones. I decided I would buy the biology ones so I have my own copies and while I was purchasing them I thought I might as well get the chemistry ones too.
*Advantages*
The books are really good. They are specification specific, which means that all the material in the books is needed for my exams. At the beginning of each module there is a summary sheet which gives details of the module content in small paragraphs. I think this is helpful because it allows me to see the key areas I will be tested on at a glance.
The revision material is set out in bullet points and there are some good diagrams. The bullet points make it easier to remember the information. The diagrams are also clear and easy to follow.
There is a section in AS chemistry that I couldn't understand when we did it in class but the AS book has it set out step-by-step and it made it much clearer.
At the end of each double page there are some quick questions which enable you to test your knowledge of that area before moving on to the next topic. These are useful and the answers are found in the back of the book. I often find this is a good starting point before I start going over a topic - to see how much I've remembered from the lessons.
At the end of each module notes there is a mock exam. These are exam-style questions so that you can see how you would perform in an exam. They are set out quite similar to the real exams and it gives me a chance at answering some questions. I access all the past papers on the exam board website but these give another opportunity to answer some different questions.
The books are written in an interesting and approachable way. When they first arrived I just wanted to keep reading the books because they are so interesting. I use them to take notes and make posters from now, as reading alone isn't the best way to learn.
*Disadvantages*
The books are not published in colour. This would usually be a major downside, as I really need colour to help me to learn. However, because the material is so nicely written it is quite easy to get over this. I use the material to make my own colourful notes.
Some parts of the books are not quite detailed enough. This isn't too much of a problem though as I use other books as reference as well.
The covers of both AS books and both A2 books have the same image. This means that you need to look at the subject name. At a glance though, it would be easy to pick up the wrong one.
The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages and I would certainly recommend these books if you or someone you know are studying for their A-Levels.
*Prices and Availability*
Approximately £6.50 each plus p&p Available from the Heinemann website.
The biology and chemistry books are available for OCR or AQA specifications. They also do physics for the same exam boards. Unfortunately they do not do these books for geography (which is my 3rd A-Level). After browsing the Heinemann website it appears that it is only the science subjects that are available in this range but it would be worth checking the subject you are looking for in case I have overlooked it.
Advantages: To the point, covers core topics, different books offered for each exam syllabus. Disadvantages: Not in colour, a few errors, often very brief
A useful book for polishing off your knowledge just before the exams. However, it is not really suitable for core revision as the book often skims over topics without entering into the depth I would like to have to enable me to answer examination questions to high standards. Despite the brevity of the topics, all the core information is provided in an easily accessible way and the diagrams are useful. Many diagrams, especially in biology, benefit ... ...but does not detract from the usefulness of the information.
A few topics have incorrect facts and I strongly advise that a qualified teacher is consulted when an error is suspected. Overall a useful guide for use in conjunction with class notes, text books and other revision guides.
Usefully, this series contains different books for different exam syllabuses offered by both OCR and AQA , removing the time required to filter through irrelevant ...
tomt89 20.05.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Heinemann A-level Revision Guides - Heinemann Exam Success
