Biology A Level?

Just got my GCSE results with a B in core science (A's in both exams but coursework brought me down) and a B in additional science (B's in both exams and coursework). I would certainly want to do A Level Biology (it interests me) but I don't know if I would be smart enough for it, what do you think and could you tell me some of the universal course details?

Reply 1

hattie_creese

9

I'm sorry I didn't take biology so it's not first hand advice... But it is known for being the most difficult A level in the whole spec.

Reply 2

OGFakiie

9

I do A level biology, and your grades aren't too bad. My college requires at least a B and most others do too. I don't know if you'd be smart enough for it, it depends on what grade you're aiming for.

Reply 3

SamSp123

OP

5

Original post by OGFakiie

I do A level biology, and your grades aren't too bad. My college requires at least a B and most others do too. I don't know if you'd be smart enough for it, it depends on what grade you're aiming for.

I'd be aiming for a B max, I'm not an A student but I'm definitely a hard worker and I can memorise lots at a time.

Reply 4

OnTheHorizon

2

Biology being one of the hardest is very exaggerated,I took biology for almost an year in AS but ended up dropping it because of personal reasons,Not because it is hard.Physics is probably the hardest IMO,You'll be fine.

Reply 5

SamSp123

OP

5

Original post by OnTheHorizon

Biology being one of the hardest is very exaggerated,I took biology for almost an year in AS but ended up dropping it because of personal reasons,Not because it is hard.Physics is probably the hardest IMO,You'll be fine.

thanks for the comment, i'll think about it :biggrin:

Reply 6

panda312

11

Original post by SamSp123

Just got my GCSE results with a B in core science (A's in both exams but coursework brought me down) and a B in additional science (B's in both exams and coursework). I would certainly want to do A Level Biology (it interests me) but I don't know if I would be smart enough for it, what do you think and could you tell me some of the universal course details?

If you're interested in it go for it! I've done AS this year and I really liked it.. I think it's way easier than chemistry. And regarding the grades B at GCSE should be ok and just put the hardwork in and results will come :smile:

Good Luck!

Reply 7

memoriial

11

Got an A* in the B3 exam (biology triple science), mock grades were Bs and As, then got a D at AS. Dropping it for another subject, wish I could say it was down to lack of studying. Biology is called the easiest science A Level but it is far more difficult compared to non-science A Levels. The content is relatively fine but the exams were horrible - you also need very good maths. It just wasn't for me I guess.

Reply 8

SamSp123

OP

5

Original post by memoriial

Got an A* in the B3 exam (biology triple science), mock grades were Bs and As, then got a D at AS. Dropping it for another subject, wish I could say it was down to lack of studying. Biology is called the easiest science A Level but it is far more difficult compared to non-science A Levels. The content is relatively fine but the exams were horrible - you also need very good maths. It just wasn't for me I guess.

Thanks for the comment and out of curiosity what exam board did you do?

Reply 9

sindyscape62

10

Original post by SamSp123

I'd be aiming for a B max, I'm not an A student but I'm definitely a hard worker and I can memorise lots at a time.

Biology is a lot of memorising things- I found that the concepts weren't actually difficult, there was just a lot to learn. I think a B is the normal minimum for doing the A level, so I think you'll be fine if you put the work in.

Biology was by far my easiest subject at A level (I also did chemistry, physics and maths) so don't be too worried about the difficulty- in my class I think everyone who tried hard at it came out with a decent grade.

Reply 10

memoriial

11

Original post by SamSp123

Thanks for the comment and out of curiosity what exam board did you do?

AQA. Part of it I think was down to being taught some of the wrong stuff, with (albeit minor) pieces left out of teaching, but most of all it was the specification that was the problem. I had two textbooks specifically for AQA and neither mentioned one part of digestion of proteins while only one (in the very back, a two line sentence) mentioned statistical tests. I think the specification now (and the teaching style certainly at my college) expected you to be doing A Level Maths, or have lots of maths-based knowledge. Not so great for me, who scraped a B at GCSE compared to the other 9 A*-A grades.

Reply 11

L0st45

12

Original post by SamSp123

Just got my GCSE results with a B in core science (A's in both exams but coursework brought me down) and a B in additional science (B's in both exams and coursework). I would certainly want to do A Level Biology (it interests me) but I don't know if I would be smart enough for it, what do you think and could you tell me some of the universal course details?