[tssf_skye]

Hey, so i'm in year 11 and i'm going to 6th form next year.

Currently my options are Chemistry, Biology, English lit & lang and Geography.

I'm hoping for an A* in chemistry and hopefully an A in Biology, but tbh it could be a B i didn't do a hell of a lot of biology revision tbh. My physics is probably a B but i got an A* in the ISA.
Honestly how hard are science? I love chemistry and want to go into medical/geographic/scientific field so i know i need 2 sciences. I do like biology and i find it interesting but i also find it hard, but i guess it's just a case of putting the work in.
Sciences are known as being hard as i've heard, and i want to know how big the step up from GCSE is and what is the reality of getting good grades? I want to do well in my subjects because otherwise they could risk my future so yeah :-)

I'm prepared to put as much work in as needed, bearing in mind i do have a summer job that could turn long term though :-)

[Coursework.info]

It's been a while since you posted and nobody's replied yet...maybe you should check out MarkedbyTeachers.com, TSR's sister site. It has the largest library of essays in the UK.

They've got over 181,000+ coursework, essays, homeworks etc.. all written by GCSE, A Level, University and IB students across all topics. You get access either by publishing some of your own work, or paying £4.99 for a month's access. Both ways give you unlimited access to all of the essays.

All their documents are submitted to Turnitin anti-plagiarism software, so it can't be misused, and the site's used by hundreds of thousands of UK teachers and students.

What's more, you can take a look around the site and preview the work absolutely free. Click here to find out more...

[Craig_D]

(Original post by tssf_skye)
Hey, so i'm in year 11 and i'm going to 6th form next year.

Currently my options are Chemistry, Biology, English lit & lang and Geography.

I'm hoping for an A* in chemistry and hopefully an A in Biology, but tbh it could be a B i didn't do a hell of a lot of biology revision tbh. My physics is probably a B but i got an A* in the ISA.
Honestly how hard are science? I love chemistry and want to go into medical/geographic/scientific field so i know i need 2 sciences. I do like biology and i find it interesting but i also find it hard, but i guess it's just a case of putting the work in.
Sciences are known as being hard as i've heard, and i want to know how big the step up from GCSE is and what is the reality of getting good grades? I want to do well in my subjects because otherwise they could risk my future so yeah :-)

I'm prepared to put as much work in as needed, bearing in mind i do have a summer job that could turn long term though :-)

It can be tough, but if you're the kind of person who's capable of getting an A at GCSE then you're capable of an A at A Level (not that I'm suggesting that every person who gets an A at GCSE gets the same at A Level, but the potential is there). Chemistry is indeed a tricky one (arguably the hardest A Level), you have to be prepared to rethink a lot of what you thought you knew, due to the simplification at GCSE.

What can catch you out is not necessarily the difficulty taking a step up but the pace of the course; your tutor will be on a tight schedule to get everything covered, the contents of one lesson will not be touched upon in detail again (except for maybe a recap at the end of the term), so taking good notes and using your evenings to go over the day's work is essential for those who want A or A* grades. The keys to A Level are effort and discipline. You just have to remember that people do that same step up every year and go on to do well, so there's no reason why you shouldn't too, especially if you'll put the work in as you say.

[leahnic]

(Original post by tssf_skye)
Hey, so i'm in year 11 and i'm going to 6th form next year.

Currently my options are Chemistry, Biology, English lit & lang and Geography.

I'm hoping for an A* in chemistry and hopefully an A in Biology, but tbh it could be a B i didn't do a hell of a lot of biology revision tbh. My physics is probably a B but i got an A* in the ISA.
Honestly how hard are science? I love chemistry and want to go into medical/geographic/scientific field so i know i need 2 sciences. I do like biology and i find it interesting but i also find it hard, but i guess it's just a case of putting the work in.
Sciences are known as being hard as i've heard, and i want to know how big the step up from GCSE is and what is the reality of getting good grades? I want to do well in my subjects because otherwise they could risk my future so yeah :-)

I'm prepared to put as much work in as needed, bearing in mind i do have a summer job that could turn long term though :-)

Sciences are hard, very hard at A Level. You have to put in A LOT of time and effort into them to be able to succeed and get a high grade like an A. Honestly, I don't think GCSE grades can be used as a successful measure of what you'll get at A Level. I did chemistry A level, got A and A*'s in all my sciences at GCSE,yet came out with a U at A level.

You've also got to consider whether you'll be the type of person who goes out a lot when you're in sixth form. Going on regular nights out can be really detrimental, although fun, you'd have to be willing to get up the next day even with a hangover and go in to study otherwise you'll just constantly be playing catch up.

[NB_ide]

(Original post by Craig_D)
It can be tough, but if you're the kind of person who's capable of getting an A at GCSE then you're capable of an A at A Level

yes, OP - there's surely a strong correlation between grades at GCSE and grades at A level. In fact, throughout one's entire school career people tend to place roughly in the same way compared to their peers.

What can catch you out is not necessarily the difficulty taking a step up but the pace of the course; your tutor will be on a tight schedule to get everything covered, the contents of one lesson will not be touched upon in detail again (except for maybe a recap at the end of the term), so taking good notes and using your evenings to go over the day's work is essential for those who want A or A* grades. The keys to A Level are effort and discipline. .

My school just gave us text books. Do they not do that any more?

(Original post by leahnic)
Sciences are hard, very hard at A Level.

meaningless

(Original post by leahnic)
You have to put in A LOT of time and effort into them to be able to succeed and get a high grade like an A.

meaningless

(Original post by leahnic)
Honestly, I don't think GCSE grades can be used as a successful measure of what you'll get at A Level. I did chemistry A level, got A and A*'s in all my sciences at GCSE,yet came out with a U at A level.

(Original post by leahnic)
You've also got to consider whether you'll be the type of person who goes out a lot when you're in sixth form. Going on regular nights out can be really detrimental, although fun, you'd have to be willing to get up the next day even with a hangover and go in to study otherwise you'll just constantly be playing catch up.

I never "went out" during 6th form, but tbh you don't really [have to] learn much during term time. I used to get 10-20% on "mid-term" tests and so on, but almost 100% in actual exams. Because I know what matters, and what doesn't, and when I need to cram stuff and when I don't.

[sjbdbz]

I take biology and chemistry, although not physics, so I'm speaking only on behalf of what I've taken. I think the problem is going through GCSE's with teachers nagging you to revise, and yet lets face it, GCSE's were easy. However, at A level, there's no real extra push, and you only come to terms with the realisation of the leap in difficulty from school to college after the first results day and after then it's make or break.
The content itself is relatively straight forward, it's just applying it to very specific A level mark schemes and simply putting in the effort to learn the syllabus. I was disheartened after my first year results, however, I knew the content, and retook them this year alongside my A2's and in January they were predominantly A's. Just make sure that when your learning the topics, you make sure you understand it, and don't cram a couple of days before the exam. Once you get that first batch of decent results, it gives you the incentive you need for the rest of your exams.

[Becca94]

as hard as

[tssf_skye]

(Original post by Craig_D)
It can be tough, but if you're the kind of person who's capable of getting an A at GCSE then you're capable of an A at A Level (not that I'm suggesting that every person who gets an A at GCSE gets the same at A Level, but the potential is there). Chemistry is indeed a tricky one (arguably the hardest A Level), you have to be prepared to rethink a lot of what you thought you knew, due to the simplification at GCSE.

What can catch you out is not necessarily the difficulty taking a step up but the pace of the course; your tutor will be on a tight schedule to get everything covered, the contents of one lesson will not be touched upon in detail again (except for maybe a recap at the end of the term), so taking good notes and using your evenings to go over the day's work is essential for those who want A or A* grades. The keys to A Level are effort and discipline. You just have to remember that people do that same step up every year and go on to do well, so there's no reason why you shouldn't too, especially if you'll put the work in as you say.

thank you, i had an induction of chemistry today and found it hard getting to grips with moles and calculations and stuff because i'm more of a B grade student in maths. It was slightly disheartening to say the least, made me re-think why i'm taking it. i do love chemistry, and find it really interesting however i don't want to fail it. Would you say the maths parts are some of the hardest concepts in AS Chemistry?

[dknt]

You'll get varying different answers from people. The best thing I think is to try it for a week or two. If you find it isn't for you or its too hard, drop it and change it for something else.

[gingerbreadman85]

(Original post by NB_ide)
yes, OP - there's surely a strong correlation between grades at GCSE and grades at A level. In fact, throughout one's entire school career people tend to place roughly in the same way compared to their peers.

GCSE grades are important, as are a student's study skills. I've seen GCSE A* kids get D/E/U at AS, and A grade kids get As.

(Original post by NB_ide)
My school just gave us text books. Do they not do that any more?

Schools still generally give out books (in my experience) however there is also an expectation that you take notes in class. Obviously those notes will relate to the book, however in class you can explain things in greater detail than you can in the limited pages of a textbook.

(Original post by NB_ide)
meaningless

Actually, both statements are fairly factual, based on my experience of teaching A-level.

(Original post by NB_ide)
I never "went out" during 6th form, but tbh you don't really [have to] learn much during term time. I used to get 10-20% on "mid-term" tests and so on, but almost 100% in actual exams. Because I know what matters, and what doesn't, and when I need to cram stuff and when I don't.

Good for you. The number of students that can get away with last minute cramming after doing little work in term time is in the vast minority. Almost without exception the highest performing students:
-work hard during term time
-start revising early

Anyone out there that doesn't think they have to do this..... good luck with that! You may be one of the lucky ones, however you'll only find that out AFTER you've sat your first set of exams........ and competitive universities aren't particularly fond of students that get Cs/Ds/Es and if you've been bone-idle lazy good luck convincing your teacher to give you a good UCAS reference. If you want to roll the dice, that's your call, but be prepared to live with the consequences!

[Wulf chan]

I found science quite easy and GCSE so I picked physics thinking I'd do well. And it is really hard :| first exam I got a U... but on my coursework I got an A but yeah its bitching hard.

[ECONMATHSMATHSMATH]

From my personal opinion, so far as you really understand and be able to recall formulaes and rules appropriate as well as know how to apply them to real life(Physics) you are likely to score high. Subjects such as Chemistry being the hardest, followed by Physics and Biology, IMHO.

[NB_ide]

(Original post by gingerbreadman85)
Schools still generally give out books (in my experience) however there is also an expectation that you take notes in class. Obviously those notes will relate to the book, however in class you can explain things in greater detail than you can in the limited pages of a textbook.

There's no point, seeing as the exams and textbooks are paired and one is produced specifically for the other. You just need to memorise the right things. Writing your own notes will only tire you out and introduce possible mistakes or imperfections into the material. You don't need to know ANYTHING that isn't in the text book, at school.

Actually, both statements are fairly factual, based on my experience of teaching A-level.

Words like "hard, very hard" and "A LOT" are not and can not be factual descriptions of something. They're ambiguous and subjective, and convey no consistent meaning to different people.

Good for you. The number of students that can get away with last minute cramming after doing little work in term time is in the vast minority. Almost without exception the highest performing students:
-work hard during term time
-start revising early

Probably. But I bet they could get away with a lot less. They're usually just try-hards who are more concerned with effort than achievement.

Anyone out there that doesn't think they have to do this..... good luck with that! You may be one of the lucky ones, however you'll only find that out AFTER you've sat your first set of exams........ and competitive universities aren't particularly fond of students that get Cs/Ds/Es and if you've been bone-idle lazy good luck convincing your teacher to give you a good UCAS reference. If you want to roll the dice, that's your call, but be prepared to live with the consequences!

These days we start taking exams from quite an early age so anyone will know long before their A levels or even GCSEs what strategy works for them.

[sugar-n-spice]

Biology-easy so long as you can bull****

Chemistry-hard and boring but if you're willing to memorise loads of stuff and can apply it, it's fine

Physics-Do you like maths? The 'coursework' is horrible because you can get marked down for the slightest thing.

[HighwayUnicorn]

Biology - A lot of remembering and understanding. But once you get your head round it, it's definitely the easiest (and most enjoyable) science out of the 4.
Physics - Apparently this is quite math focused. Can't say anything other than what people have told me. Supposedly the hardest science.
Chemistry - Ranges from extremely easy to unbearably hard. A good teacher and patience is the key to this subject.
Maths - You either love it and succeed, or hate it and fail.

Overall I think most people would agree that the order of the sciences that you would most likely get a good grade in goes: Biology > Maths > Chemistry > Physics (Bio being the most likely).

But really it all depends on what type of learning you prefer. If you are fine with understanding but hate application of numbers, then you would most likely thrive in Biology rather than the others, and vice versa. It depends on your mindset.

[Gregnando]

(Original post by tssf_skye)
thank you, i had an induction of chemistry today and found it hard getting to grips with moles and calculations and stuff because i'm more of a B grade student in maths. It was slightly disheartening to say the least, made me re-think why i'm taking it. i do love chemistry, and find it really interesting however i don't want to fail it. Would you say the maths parts are some of the hardest concepts in AS Chemistry?

Don't be disheartened with the induction you had, the first weeks of Chemistry at AS makes you think that no one will pass but everyone will find their feet and get to grips with it Lots will take up the Sciences and there will be a fair whack that drop them, but lots of my class including myself got U's to D's to begin with but by the real first exam we were all achieving our B/A Grades.

Maths in Chemistry can be tricky at times and seems daunting but you will get used to it and its nothing compared to A level maths (As I have been told.)

If you love Chemistry and did good enough to be able to take it at A Level then you'll be fine with hard work! And Biology is the same just a higher content to learn but slightly easier concepts.

[gingerbreadman85]

(Original post by NB_ide)
There's no point, seeing as the exams and textbooks are paired and one is produced specifically for the other. You just need to memorise the right things. Writing your own notes will only tire you out and introduce possible mistakes or imperfections into the material. You don't need to know ANYTHING that isn't in the text book, at school.

From that line of argument, you might as well not turn up to lessons and just memorise the book..... Maybe that worked for you, but i sure don't know any students with poor attendance that managed to do well at A-level. Teachers exist for a reason.

(Original post by NB_ide)
Words like "hard, very hard" and "A LOT" are not and can not be factual descriptions of something. They're ambiguous and subjective, and convey no consistent meaning to different people.

"Hard" and "a lot" are a little subjective and ambiguous, but hardly meaningless. Put it that way, "factual" is also subjective.

(Original post by NB_ide)
Probably. But I bet they could get away with a lot less. They're usually just try-hards who are more concerned with effort than achievement.

Hmm, some of them might be able to "get away" with less, however they want to achieve the highest grades and many of them desire a true mastery of the subject..... that doesn't come from doing the bare minimum you can get away with.

I know MANY students that have messed up their exams by trying to "get away" with not doing much work.

(Original post by NB_ide)
These days we start taking exams from quite an early age so anyone will know long before their A levels or even GCSEs what strategy works for them.

Oh if ONLY. Not the case in most instances from my experience

I am doing a piece of Masters research into the GCSE->A-level transition. On thursday i did an interview with a student who openly admitted that at GCSE they didn't need to work, and thought he could do the same at A-level. They got a D in the January exam after getting an A* at GCSE. Of students that under-performed in their Jan exams, the majority identified a lack of work or revision in preparation.

Strategies have to change, particularly as the complexity, both of the material and the questions that can be asked on it, increases at A-level and again at Degree.

I think we've established that you managed to get through A-level without working that hard most of the time. Well done you. Advising others that this is an effective method of study however is at best disingenuous, at worst is actively encouraging behaviour that in the majority of cases leads to underperformance.

[NB_ide]

(Original post by gingerbreadman85)
From that line of argument, you might as well not turn up to lessons and just memorise the book..... Maybe that worked for you, but i sure don't know any students with poor attendance that managed to do well at A-level. Teachers exist for a reason.

Naturally - people who can't be bothered to go to school/lessons are nearly always uninterested in the whole business and lacking any desire to learn by themselves. For people who are self-motivated, classes are at best a waste of time and at worst a hindrance.

Hmm, some of them might be able to "get away" with less, however they want to achieve the highest grades and many of them desire a true mastery of the subject..... that doesn't come from doing the bare minimum you can get away with.

I know MANY students that have messed up their exams by trying to "get away" with not doing much work.



Oh if ONLY. Not the case in most instances from my experience

I am doing a piece of Masters research into the GCSE->A-level transition. On thursday i did an interview with a student who openly admitted that at GCSE they didn't need to work, and thought he could do the same at A-level. They got a D in the January exam after getting an A* at GCSE. Of students that under-performed in their Jan exams, the majority identified a lack of work or revision in preparation.

Strategies have to change, particularly as the complexity, both of the material and the questions that can be asked on it, increases at A-level and again at Degree.

I think we've established that you managed to get through A-level without working that hard most of the time. Well done you. Advising others that this is an effective method of study however is at best disingenuous, at worst is actively encouraging behaviour that in the majority of cases leads to underperformance.

Yea after straight A*'s at GCSE (which required literally no revision whatsoever) I remember I got a B in my AS chemistry because I left it until the afternoon before the exam to try to cram a whole textbook. I learnt my lesson, though, and next time started cramming at least 24 hours before each exam. At university I usually started around one week before each set of 3-4 exams. This allowed me to be optimally healthy and relaxed when the exams came, instead of suffering after 10-12 weeks of constant hard work. Really I recommend it. People who "leave it to the last minute" and then do badly aren't doing what I do. They're not leaving it to the last minute... they're just leaving it.

[Pseudo-truth]

Go find some of the post-exam A level discussions, OP. The rage and disbelief you find should give you an indication.

[xLovelovelove]

I do biology, chemistry and physics at A-Level. I got A's in all 3 at GCSE and an A in maths.

Biology: Once you get your head around the concept it is enjoyable. My favorite but it is a lot of memorising!

Chemistry: A lot of the ideas you learn at GCSE get turned on the head and you learn them in more depth...can be hard to grasp but as somebody said earlier it really does vary from easy to very hard! You have to put a lot of time in and make sure you know everything and PRACTISE!

Physics: VERY maths based (OCR anyway!) Everything I have studied in physics is maths based. I don't do maths A-Level but I can do the maths...you get given the formulas so its not too bad its just about depicting relevant information.

Hope this helps.