Does linear A-levels make AS levels pointless?

Hi, i have just done this myself as I have just done my AS exams and my school made it compulsory for us to do the exams regardless of if it was linear or not. Only one of my subjects were modular (this being ICT), my others were linear. After thinking the same as you about it being pointless, I did the exams and only then will you realise how different the new specification is compared to the old one. There are of course specimen papers for the specification. When i did the modular exams (ones that have units i.e. unit 1 & 2) I would get an A easy. When I did the specimen papers i still got the highest mark in my year (Biology), however there were no grade boundaries so you didn't really know what grade you would've gotten or how close you would've been to the next grade, you could just use a percentage with isn't actually how grades go, people will tell you 40% is and E, 50% is a D, etc, look at grade boundaries and you'll see that this isn't true. Also, since we are the first year we can only guess what grade boundaries would be usually you could go by last year years and then +/- around 3 marks (this is usually what they would change by in most subjects per year).

this is really helpful, thanks!

I'm doing 2 linear and 2 modular AS's next year, would it be better to focus on the modular as the linear ASs don't actually contribute towards the final A level? or will universities now take both AS and A levels? I know ASs are important for predicted grades but going linear just makes me feel like theres no need to make lots of effort in the first year if A2s are the ones universities look at.
Thanks

All your subjects are extremely important. There is absolutely no point focusing on getting an A in a modular AS if you get a D in a linear one as well. How will you be able to apply to any decent universities with that?

I am really curious about how this is helpful, it doesn't answer your question at all.

Hi Jasmine

I did my AS Levels this yr and from doing it I would say that you should divide your time equally for the modular ones as well as the linear. This is because the content for the new specs in yr 12 will be repeated in yr 13 as well in other words you will be tested on topics from yr 12 in your yr 13 exam. Also if you do your AS then you will have an idea of what type of questions are asked, you can perfect your own exam techniques and grade boundaries etc. If you have your AS results then they do take it into account together with your predicted grades. But if you haven't done your AS then they look at your A level predicted grades, personal statement, reference, admission tests for a particular subject e.g. for Med = UKCAT and how well you did in your interviews. Just because you're doing linear doesn't mean you don't have to put in the effort. You can't get away with putting in 50% effort at AS. That is a complete no no!! The new specs are harder than the old ones and if you're doing any of the sciences, especially in bio there is more content to learn.

just being polite geez