Most efficient way to study biology and chemistry?

Question

So I have mid year exams for Biology and Chemistry in 7 and 8 days respectively. They both count for 33% of my overall score for the subject, so it's crucial that I do well. I've studied quite a lot, like doing past papers and textbook questions, it's just not working very well.

At the moment, i'm probably sitting on a C (60%) and I would love to polish up to about an A standard (80%). My biggest blunder is a combination of not knowing the material well enough and not being able to digest the question asked. What are some efficient and effective methods of memorising the material so I can apply them to those tricky questions? Thanks, much appreciated. From a very stressed out student XD

Answer 1

Try asking someone for help -- such as another student, the professor, or a tutor if available.  Also, realize that in subjects such as these, you must break down at times and just memorize terms, rules, definitions, etc. because you don't have much to be able to relate in order to make them clearer.  Conversions in chemistry is a big example.  It's very difficult to logically think of many of those answers, but by beginning with the given numbers in the problems, it's usually possible to formulate the proper conversion ratios, and this eventually -- by canceling out common terms -- leads to the correct answers.  Sometimes you need to do what you must in order to move forward and to get through the class.