The A-level Physics Grade Boost Programme

Physics can be a hard subject for many students; even the most able can struggle with certain aspects of the course. It can be even harder identifying what needs to be done to improve performance. With that in mind, the Grade Boost Programme was developed. This diagnostic tool allows any student of Physics (and, indeed, of any solution-based, analytical subject) to determine exactly where they are in terms of their understanding of the subject and, more importantly, what fundamental steps they need to implement in order to improve.

The Grade Boost Programme diagnostic tool, in the form of a Progress Pyramid, can be found here:

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The right-hand face of the Progress Pyramid describes the current state of the student, together with their corresponding current attainment level in terms of exam (e.g. mock or end-of-year) or test grades. Those at the lowest level will be struggling with the subject in most areas and, at best, only just reaching a pass grade E. Above them, those grasping the essentials of the subject may be gaining grades C or D, while those capable of solving standard problems may be gaining as high as a grade A. At the very top of the pyramid, the most accomplished students will be acing even the hardest problems put to them, and on target for the highest grade.

The left-hand face of the pyramid describes the corresponding student`s problem solving ability, ranging from Minimal, at the lowest level of attainment, through Mediocre and Strong, to Superb at the highest. The likely estimated range of exam/test score percentage for each of these levels is also given, as is a level name or rank - Novice, Apprentice, Scholar and Genius - to assist the student in identifying with each stage.

The first stage in any student`s programme for subject improvement is the identification of where the student is in terms of performance, and where they wish to be. The Progress Pyramid allows this crucial stage to be fulfilled easily. However, it goes further than this. It also highlights, for each level of attainment, the likely Symptoms experience by the student, some of which will be undesirable (mostly at the lower levels) and some of which will be desirable (mostly at the higher levels). In order to minimise or eliminate the unwanted, undesirable symptoms, fundamental Keys to Success are provided that inform the student what they must do to move to the next level of attainment. These keys are specific actions that the student must undertake to improve their performance from one level to the next or, at the very top level, to secure their performance.

To understand exactly how these actions are to be carried out is not described within the Progress Pyramid, but rather within the nine-step Path to A-Level Physics Success, which can be found here:

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The nine fundamental steps to success outlined in the path describe how a student moves from one level of the Grade Boost Programme, as described by the Performance Pyramid, to the next. These steps combine to make three stages: Engagement, Reinforcement and Enhancement. Each of these stages corresponds roughly to the movement from the lowest level to the highest in the Grade Boost Programme. However, while some of these steps are general and apply to the subject as a whole, others are more specific and must be applied to each topic within the subject in turn.

It will be noticed that the Path to A-Level Physics Success is described as a Guide for Dedicated Mums. This is no accident. The majority of enquiries for tutoring assistance come from concerned mothers (about 75% in the author`s experience), and it is in part an understanding of the mothers` concerns that has driven, and continues to drive, the development of this programme. This is not to say that there are no concerned fathers out there, nor that fathers should not be engaging with this programme, it is simply that mothers tend to be the driving force behind the selection of suitable tutors for their children.

It is important that the student is mentored through each of these steps, in conjunction with on-going tutoring in the various topics that make up the A-Level Physics syllabus. In essence, the nine-step Path to A-Level Physics Success is the framework within which the tutoring should take place. It is an important framework for the student, and their parents, in conjunction with the Performance Pyramid, in order that they can clearly monitor their progress.

As the author of this programme, with significant success with many A-Level Physics students over several years, I would be pleased to introduce it to your son or daughter, and work through it with them in detail, so that they may achieve the results that they desire and deserve.