It can be nerve-wracking to get your A-level results, especially in science subjects. Many students wonder why they have problems with biology and chemistry.
Recent data from the FFT Education DataLab revealed that in 2024, only 27.8% of students in the UK got an A grade in A-level chemistry.
The pass rate for biology was slightly higher at 32.7%. These figures show that many bright students have real problems with these subjects.
Knowing why students like yourself fail A-level chemistry and biology can help you avoid these common mistakes.
Why Do Most Medical Schools in the UK Require A-Levels in Chemistry and Biology?
Most medical schools in the UK require their students to have A-levels in chemistry and biology to be accepted into their programmes.
#1 The most important basics for studying medicine
If you want to study medicine, you need to know a lot about how the human body works. Biology will give you this foundation by teaching you about living things, cell structure, and biological processes.
In chemistry, you will learn how molecules work together and change in the process. This knowledge becomes very important when you learn how drugs interact with each other, how the body breaks them down, and how diseases work. It is much more difficult to pass medical school without this background knowledge.
#2 Demonstrates academic rigour
Medical schools want to know that you can do hard schoolwork. A-level Chemistry and A-level Biology are both known as "facilitating subjects" because they require you to be able to think critically.
These grades show admissions teams that you have the study skills you need to cope with the demands of a medical degree programme. These grades help universities sift through applications and find students who can handle difficult subjects.
#3 Important for learning about biochemistry and pharmacology
Biochemistry and how drugs work in the body will form a large part of your medical degree. You can learn about molecular structures and chemical reactions with an A-level in Chemistry.
Biology will help you understand how these things affect living things. Together, they help prepare you for the basics of medicine, such as how enzymes work, how drugs are broken down and how cells breathe.
#4 Strong connection to human health and disease
Biology is directly related to learning about diseases, genetics and how treatments work. You will learn about germs, the immune system and genetic diseases.
Chemistry will help you understand how drugs are made and how diagnostic tests and treatments work. This mix gives you a comprehensive picture of human health that every future doctor needs.
#5 Filter out serious and prepared applicants
Every year, thousands of people apply to medical schools. Requiring certain science degrees ensures that applicants are truly interested in the speciality.
These subjects also teach doctors to pay attention to detail and solve problems. If you pass these difficult A-level exams, it shows that you have decided to become a doctor.
Why Students Fail A-Level Chemistry
Many students don't realise the big jump from GCSE to A-level in Chemistry, leading to poor results despite doing their best.
1. Weak foundation in the basic concepts of Chemistry
If you struggled with chemistry at GCSE, A-level will be too much for you. Many students think they can catch up quickly, but chemistry builds on what they already know. Before you can get to grips with bonding, you need to know how atoms are put together.
You need to know about bonding in order to do organic chemistry. If your foundation is shaky, everything else gets confusing. One of the main reasons why students fail A-level chemistry is that they move too quickly without learning the basics first.
2. A lot of students are poor at mathematics
There are a lot of calculations in chemistry, such as molar calculations and equilibrium constants. You will find these tasks difficult if you are not good at maths.
Many students get scared when they see equations and formulas. You need to understand the mathematical concepts behind them, but the most important thing is practice. If you get stuck with maths problems, get help from a tutor.
3. Trying to memorize instead of understanding the material
Some students try to memorise everything without really understanding the ideas. This method works in some GCSE subjects but not at A-level. It's important to know why something is happening, not just what is happening.
When examiners ask you to apply your knowledge to new situations, they are testing your understanding. Memorising will not get you anywhere.
4. Difficulties with Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry gives us new ways to think about molecules and their reactions. Students often struggle to work out how to name things and what happens in a reaction.
The mechanisms require spatial thinking, which many find challenging. This subject is so different from inorganic chemistry that many students fail A-level chemistry.
5. Poor study technique for the exam
You need to be able to answer the questions correctly and not just know the material. Many students lose marks because they don't read the questions carefully or show their work.
It's important to practise with past papers, but you also need to know how to use the marking schemes. Find out what the people grading your tests want to see in your answers.
You can use a study calender to improve how you study and you can also try answering questions from every topic your study with the help of StudyFetch Quizzes AI.
6. Ignoring the importance of required practicals and their analysis
A large part of your grade is based on your practical work. Many students only care about the theory and not the practical skills.
You should know how to conduct experiments, analyse data and evaluate the results. You cannot skip this part because the required practical work will appear in your written exams.
Why Students Fail A-Level Biology
Biology is, in some ways, more difficult than chemistry, and students often encounter the same problems.
1. Too many topics to study
Compared to GCSE, A-level biology covers a lot more material. It is difficult for students to keep track of everything they need to know, from molecular biology to ecology.
The syllabus contains a wealth of information, and many students struggle to organise their learning. To manage this amount of work, you need to study well and have a clear plan for how you will review the material.
2. Not knowing most scientific terminology
In Biology, there are a lot of complicated words that students need to learn. Many fail because they don't know what important words mean or use them incorrectly.
The language of science is very precise; if you use the wrong word, your meaning can change. Work on building a strong vocabulary from the beginning and check your understanding often.
3. Not being able to apply what you know in new situations
Biology tests your ability to apply what you have learnt to new situations. Students who only memorise examples from textbooks struggle with new situations.
You need to know the basic ideas well enough to be able to apply them in any situation. This type of analytical thinking is the reason why some students do well and others fail.
4. Students don't understand terms like "explain," "describe," and "compare"
For each command word, there is a specific type of response. When you "describe", you say what is happening. When you "explain", you say why it is happening. Many students lose points because they answer in the wrong way. Find out what each command word means and practise using them correctly in your answers.
5. Not paying attention to practicals
As in chemistry, biology also requires practicals that appear in the written exams. Students often think these are separate from the main content, but they are part of your assessment.
You need to know how to plan experiments, collect data and critically analyse the results. Many students lose points easily on this practical part.
Conclusion
Knowing why students fail can help you avoid these common mistakes when studying Chemistry and Biology at A Level.
Research has shown that students who get help from professional tutors and stick to structured revision plans are 40% more likely to get the grades they want.
The most important thing is to start early, build a solid foundation and practise often. Get help as soon as you notice problems, not just when you're struggling. You need to be committed to chemistry and biology, but it's possible if you do things the right way.
With StudyFetch, you can learn A-level chemistry and biology with the help of our AI tools and get the grades you need for your future career.
