Idasara Academy - O/L Big 3 Lifeline
- Idasara
- Sep 8
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Your Preparation System for O/L Maths, Science, and English
Why this matters to you (read first)
Maths, Science, and English decide your O/L future. Passing them lets you move into A/L streams or vocational training. Excelling in them opens scholarships, stronger subject choices, and better job opportunities. When the Big 3 go wrong, you lose time and options. The Big 3 Lifeline is Idasara Academy’s preparation system that turns a heavy syllabus into a path you can follow—one week at a time—until the exam feels familiar, not frightening.
The idea: small steps that add up
The full syllabus can feel like a mountain, especially if you fell behind in Grade 10. The Lifeline breaks it into six phases—three terms in Grade 10 and three in Grade 11—then runs a weekly routine of read → write → practise → compare → clarify. You always start with your textbook and your own notes. You then use Idasara’s free lesson notes and revision questions to fill gaps, and finally use AI (Prompt Pack with Google Gemini) only to clarify or refine. This order protects understanding and builds real exam confidence.
Why this method works (in simple terms)
The O/L is predictable. Question types repeat. Marking schemes reward the right keywords, clear working, and neat diagrams.
Your brain learns by doing. Short, focused sets done daily beat cramming.
Checking early saves marks. Comparing your work with authoritative notes corrects your direction fast.
AI is a coach, not a crutch. Use it after you try yourself to explain steps, quiz you, or refine writing.
Your Preparation System for O/L Maths, Science, and English
Why this matters to you (read first)
Maths, Science, and English decide your O/L future. Passing them lets you move into A/L streams or vocational training. Excelling in them opens scholarships, stronger subject choices, and better job opportunities. When the Big 3 go wrong, you lose time and options. The Big 3 Lifeline is Idasara Academy’s preparation system that turns a heavy syllabus into a path you can follow—one week at a time—until the exam feels familiar, not frightening.
The idea: small steps that add up
The full syllabus can feel like a mountain, especially if you fell behind in Grade 10. The Lifeline breaks it into six phases—three terms in Grade 10 and three in Grade 11—then runs a weekly routine of read → write → practise → compare → clarify. You always start with your textbook and your own notes. You then use Idasara’s free lesson notes and revision questions to fill gaps, and finally use AI (Prompt Pack with Google Gemini) only to clarify or refine. This order protects understanding and builds real exam confidence.
Why this method works (in simple terms)
The O/L is predictable. Question types repeat. Marking schemes reward the right keywords, clear working, and neat diagrams.
Your brain learns by doing. Short, focused sets done daily beat cramming.
Checking early saves marks. Comparing your work with authoritative notes corrects your direction fast.
AI is a coach, not a crutch. Use it after you try yourself to explain steps, quiz you, or refine writing.
The six-phase map (see the whole journey)
Phase | Term | What you do most here | What success looks like |
1 | Grade 10 — Term 1 | Core ideas, basic methods, first glossary | You can define and explain in your own words |
2 | Grade 10 — Term 2 | More examples, first past-paper sampler | You notice repeating patterns |
3 | Grade 10 — Term 3 | Consolidate weak topics, tidy notes | Fewer “I don’t know” moments |
4 | Grade 11 — Term 1 | Mixed practice + topic-by-topic tests | Accuracy improves week by week |
5 | Grade 11 — Term 2 | Timed practice + working/diagrams polish | Speed and neatness rise together |
6 | Grade 11 — Term 3 | Full mocks + fixes + exam habits | Calm, repeatable performance |
Golden rule: Human effort first. AI assists second.
Your daily loop (45–60 minutes you can keep)
This is the engine of the Lifeline. Use it for any lesson in any subject.
Read (10 min): textbook page(s) for today; underline key words.
Write (10 min): short notes in your own words; add one example.
Practise (15–20 min): 5–10 focused questions for today’s topic.
Compare (5–10 min): check against your notes + Idasara notes; mark misses.
Clarify (5–10 min): use Prompt Pack with Gemini (Sinhala/English) for step-by-step help after you try.
Sample prompts you can paste:
“Explain photosynthesis in 4 steps for O/L, then give me 3 quiz questions (hide answers first).”
“Check this PEEL paragraph for English. Improve clarity but keep my student voice.”
“List 3 common errors when factorising quadratics for O/L and how to fix each.”
Part 1 — Big 3 Preparation with Idasara
A strong plan combines your book + your notes (foundation) with Idasara resources (accelerator). Follow the steps in order and keep them short—this is how you build momentum.
Step A — Foundation (complete for Grade 10 and 11 units)
Read the textbook lesson slowly; underline terms you must know.
Review the lesson summary; make sure it matches what you understand.
Do the textbook exercises; mark questions you found hard or left blank.
Write short notes in pen and paper; include one clean example per concept.
Step B — Accelerator (Idasara resources; repeat per lesson)
Cross-check your notes with Idasara lesson notes; add missing definitions, diagrams, and steps.
Review using Idasara revision questions under a small timer; aim for accuracy first, speed next.
Evaluate honestly—compare your answers with both sets of notes; write the specific reason you lost marks.
Clarify with the Idasara Prompt Pack (Sinhala/English) in Gemini; ask for step-by-step breakdowns, mini-quizzes, or outline → refine support.
Why the order matters: if you jump to AI first, you don’t build memory or exam habits. If you build memory and habits first, AI makes them stronger and faster.
Example walk-through (Science: Photosynthesis)
Foundation:
Read the section; underline: chlorophyll, sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, glucose, oxygen.
Notes in own words: “Plants use sunlight to make food; chlorophyll helps; inputs water + CO₂; outputs glucose + O₂.”
Exercises: label diagram; write equation.
Accelerator:
Cross-check notes: add full equation and one labelled diagram.
Revision questions: 5 short answers (definition, inputs/outputs, role of chlorophyll).
Evaluate: missed “light-dependent/independent” idea → add one line in notes.
Clarify (Gemini): “Explain photosynthesis step by step for O/L and give 3 quiz questions (answers after I attempt).”
Your weekly plan (keep it on one page)
Day | Maths (30–40 min) | Science (30–40 min) | English (20–30 min) | Notes |
Mon | Paper I set (10 Qs) | Concept + 5 Qs | Read 15 min + PEEL | |
Tue | Algebra practice | Diagram + definitions | Grammar mini-set | |
Wed | Geo/Trig practice | Process short answers | Read 15 min + summary | |
Thu | Mixed set + error review | Mixed set + glossary | Essay plan (10 min) | |
Fri | Past-paper sampler | Past-paper sampler | Past-paper sampler | |
Sat | Timed mini-mock (rotate subjects weekly) | |||
Sun | Plan next week + print materials |
Tips to keep this going: prepare printouts on Sunday, set a start time alarm (not a long study alarm), and keep a pencil kit ready (ruler, eraser, sharpener). One tidy desk saves you minutes every day.
Common roadblocks — and quick fixes
“I forget soon after studying.”Use the loop every time. Write short notes, then practise, then compare. Add a 2-minute recap the next day.
“I’m too slow.”Train speed separately. Do 10 fast Paper I questions (Maths) or 5 short answers (Science/English), then check neatness.
“I get distracted.”Phone in another room. Study in 15–20 minute blocks. Tell your family your start/stop times.
“I don’t know where to start.”Start with the lesson you fear most; complete Foundation today; run Accelerator tomorrow.
Start in the next 24 hours (clear actions)
Choose one lesson in each subject.
Complete Foundation for all three (read, summary, exercises, notes).
For one of those lessons, run Accelerator (cross-check, revise, evaluate, clarify).
Print this weekly plan and fill in tomorrow’s slots.
Action Today!
The Big 3 Lifeline is not about doing everything at once. It is about small, honest steps you can repeat until exam day. If you stay loyal to the loop—read → write → practise → compare → clarify—you will see fewer gaps, faster answers, and calmer exams. Begin with the next lesson on your list and keep moving.
Start today: open the free lesson notes from Idasara Academy, attempt the revision questions, and keep your own notes tidy. Every small win counts.The six-phase map (see the whole journey)
Phase | Term | What you do most here | What success looks like |
1 | Grade 10 — Term 1 | Core ideas, basic methods, first glossary | You can define and explain in your own words |
2 | Grade 10 — Term 2 | More examples, first past-paper sampler | You notice repeating patterns |
3 | Grade 10 — Term 3 | Consolidate weak topics, tidy notes | Fewer “I don’t know” moments |
4 | Grade 11 — Term 1 | Mixed practice + topic-by-topic tests | Accuracy improves week by week |
5 | Grade 11 — Term 2 | Timed practice + working/diagrams polish | Speed and neatness rise together |
6 | Grade 11 — Term 3 | Full mocks + fixes + exam habits | Calm, repeatable performance |
Golden rule: Human effort first. AI assists second.
Your daily loop (45–60 minutes you can keep)
This is the engine of the Lifeline. Use it for any lesson in any subject.
Read (10 min): textbook page(s) for today; underline key words.
Write (10 min): short notes in your own words; add one example.
Practise (15–20 min): 5–10 focused questions for today’s topic.
Compare (5–10 min): check against your notes + Idasara notes; mark misses.
Clarify (5–10 min): use Prompt Pack with Gemini (Sinhala/English) for step-by-step help after you try.
Sample prompts you can paste:
“Explain photosynthesis in 4 steps for O/L, then give me 3 quiz questions (hide answers first).”
“Check this PEEL paragraph for English. Improve clarity but keep my student voice.”
“List 3 common errors when factorising quadratics for O/L and how to fix each.”
Part 1 — Big 3 Preparation with Idasara
A strong plan combines your book + your notes (foundation) with Idasara resources (accelerator). Follow the steps in order and keep them short—this is how you build momentum.
Step A — Foundation (complete for Grade 10 and 11 units)
Read the textbook lesson slowly; underline terms you must know.
Review the lesson summary; make sure it matches what you understand.
Do the textbook exercises; mark questions you found hard or left blank.
Write short notes in pen and paper; include one clean example per concept.
Step B — Accelerator (Idasara resources; repeat per lesson)
Cross-check your notes with Idasara lesson notes; add missing definitions, diagrams, and steps.
Review using Idasara revision questions under a small timer; aim for accuracy first, speed next.
Evaluate honestly—compare your answers with both sets of notes; write the specific reason you lost marks.
Clarify with the Idasara Prompt Pack (Sinhala/English) in Gemini; ask for step-by-step breakdowns, mini-quizzes, or outline → refine support.
Why the order matters: if you jump to AI first, you don’t build memory or exam habits. If you build memory and habits first, AI makes them stronger and faster.
Example walk-through (Science: Photosynthesis)
Foundation:
Read the section; underline: chlorophyll, sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, glucose, oxygen.
Notes in own words: “Plants use sunlight to make food; chlorophyll helps; inputs water + CO₂; outputs glucose + O₂.”
Exercises: label diagram; write equation.
Accelerator:
Cross-check notes: add full equation and one labelled diagram.
Revision questions: 5 short answers (definition, inputs/outputs, role of chlorophyll).
Evaluate: missed “light-dependent/independent” idea → add one line in notes.
Clarify (Gemini): “Explain photosynthesis step by step for O/L and give 3 quiz questions (answers after I attempt).”
Your weekly plan (keep it on one page)
Day | Maths (30–40 min) | Science (30–40 min) | English (20–30 min) | Notes |
Mon | Paper I set (10 Qs) | Concept + 5 Qs | Read 15 min + PEEL | |
Tue | Algebra practice | Diagram + definitions | Grammar mini-set | |
Wed | Geo/Trig practice | Process short answers | Read 15 min + summary | |
Thu | Mixed set + error review | Mixed set + glossary | Essay plan (10 min) | |
Fri | Past-paper sampler | Past-paper sampler | Past-paper sampler | |
Sat | Timed mini-mock (rotate subjects weekly) | |||
Sun | Plan next week + print materials |
Tips to keep this going: prepare printouts on Sunday, set a start time alarm (not a long study alarm), and keep a pencil kit ready (ruler, eraser, sharpener). One tidy desk saves you minutes every day.
Common roadblocks — and quick fixes
“I forget soon after studying.”Use the loop every time. Write short notes, then practise, then compare. Add a 2-minute recap the next day.
“I’m too slow.”Train speed separately. Do 10 fast Paper I questions (Maths) or 5 short answers (Science/English), then check neatness.
“I get distracted.”Phone in another room. Study in 15–20 minute blocks. Tell your family your start/stop times.
“I don’t know where to start.”Start with the lesson you fear most; complete Foundation today; run Accelerator tomorrow.
Start in the next 24 hours (clear actions)
Choose one lesson in each subject.
Complete Foundation for all three (read, summary, exercises, notes).
For one of those lessons, run Accelerator (cross-check, revise, evaluate, clarify).
Print this weekly plan and fill in tomorrow’s slots.
Action Today!
The Big 3 Lifeline is not about doing everything at once. It is about small, honest steps you can repeat until exam day. If you stay loyal to the loop—read → write → practise → compare → clarify—you will see fewer gaps, faster answers, and calmer exams. Begin with the next lesson on your list and keep moving.
Start today: open the free lesson notes from Idasara Academy, attempt the revision questions, and keep your own notes tidy. Every small win counts.
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