Choosing A-levels. Help?
I'm just finishing my GCSE's this year and we have to pick our A-Levels pretty soon. I'm pretty sure of what I want to do but I hear the work load at A-Level is pretty intense, so I'm not sure if I'm taking up too much. I am planning on doing:
Physics, Maths, English, Further Maths, Spanish.
Although I have to study Further Math on my own, but I don't think it will be much of a problem.
I plan on studying physics at university and I'm thinking of applying to Cambridge for NatSci or Imperial College for physics.
Okay, so the actual question is; should I bother keeping on Spanish? It's just that I love it so much and would hate to have to drop it. Or what other A-Levels would you suggest?
Thank you!
Physics, Maths, English, Further Maths, Spanish.
Although I have to study Further Math on my own, but I don't think it will be much of a problem.
I plan on studying physics at university and I'm thinking of applying to Cambridge for NatSci or Imperial College for physics.
Okay, so the actual question is; should I bother keeping on Spanish? It's just that I love it so much and would hate to have to drop it. Or what other A-Levels would you suggest?
Thank you!
A girl who I know who has been offered a place at Cambridge for NatSci (also for physics) this year:
@ GCSE Grades: 5A*4As
@A level options: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, French and AS Psychology
@ Read several physics books
@ Work experience in lab for 2 weeks
I'd say keep Spanish, I personally do it and it's a break from my science subjects and also shows unis you can do more than science and by aiming for Cambridge you need A*AA - you're more likely to get an A in a subject you love and tbh getting the grade is most important. Getting into NatSci (Physics) they'll probaby only want the A* in physics so you could get an A in Spanish and could afford to drop further maths for example to a B (if maths and english at A)
@ I would check on doing 5, many people with many A*s at GCSES dropped out of 5 at my school. Like Maths needs lots of work and English has a lot of reading... especially with further maths. I got A* at GCSE and am teaching it to myself too...it needs lots of work!!
@ If you're unsure, maybe do Chem instead of English? What are your motives for English?
@But i'd apply for all of them anyway and see how it goes first (especially after GCSE where you strongly find what you like and what you don't)
Good luck, and remember what you pick for A Level is not the end of the world, you can always swap in the first few weeks etc
@ GCSE Grades: 5A*4As
@A level options: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, French and AS Psychology
@ Read several physics books
@ Work experience in lab for 2 weeks
I'd say keep Spanish, I personally do it and it's a break from my science subjects and also shows unis you can do more than science and by aiming for Cambridge you need A*AA - you're more likely to get an A in a subject you love and tbh getting the grade is most important. Getting into NatSci (Physics) they'll probaby only want the A* in physics so you could get an A in Spanish and could afford to drop further maths for example to a B (if maths and english at A)
@ I would check on doing 5, many people with many A*s at GCSES dropped out of 5 at my school. Like Maths needs lots of work and English has a lot of reading... especially with further maths. I got A* at GCSE and am teaching it to myself too...it needs lots of work!!
@ If you're unsure, maybe do Chem instead of English? What are your motives for English?
@But i'd apply for all of them anyway and see how it goes first (especially after GCSE where you strongly find what you like and what you don't)
Good luck, and remember what you pick for A Level is not the end of the world, you can always swap in the first few weeks etc
Hi I am stuck in the same situation! We have to submit our option forms in a months time and I have only just decied too. One thing I would consider is taking Chemistry maybe instead of one of your other options because for NatSci I think you have to have it (I think?!). Hope this is helpful
I am stuck in the same situation! We have to submit our option forms in a months time and I have only just decied too. One thing I would consider is taking Chemistry maybe instead of one of your other options because for NatSci I think you have to have it (I think?!). Hope this is helpful 
Original post by TheLightBulb
they'll probaby only want the A* in physics so you could get an A in Spanish and could afford to drop further maths for example to a B (if maths and english at A)
I think a B in further maths would not be such a good idea for someone wanting to study physics!!!
Also, chemistry is pretty much essential for NatSci - you'll most probably have a chemistry interview, you need chemistry to study a lot of the module options, and it is a very well regarded science subject. To be honest, I'm not sure English is particularly necessary, and maybe not Spanish... although I do believe that a language is very useful. When I was picking my A level choices, I phoned a Cambridge admissions officer and apparently all they care about is the sciences, but if you did any other subjects they would expect you to still do well in them. Also, bear in mind that Cambridge look very closely at your UMS scores for each exam you take - make sure you pick subjects you really enjoy and are good enough to get 90%+ for every exam in. As for how many subjects to study... it's completely up to you. If you performed very well at GCSE then 5 subjects or more is definitely possible, but not essential. If your GCSE scores were below the Cambridge average (I think roughtly 8-9A*s based on various info from different colleges' websites) you would probably be best focusing on just four. However, if you are not sure which to pick, pick five then drop one after a month or so (before your college/ school has submitted the exam entries of course!) - this may help you decide.
EDIT: look at the Cambridge NatSci page on their website for some useful info on what A level courses they consider useful/ essential for each module - it clearly shows chemistry is very useful to keep a range of options open! Also, physics and further maths are required at some colleges for some courses. Biology is not required for any, in case you were considering picking that...
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci/
this one's quite good too... http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by dragonkeeper999
I think a B in further maths would not be such a good idea for someone wanting to study physics!!!
Also, chemistry is pretty much essential for NatSci - you'll most probably have a chemistry interview, you need chemistry to study a lot of the module options, and it is a very well regarded science subject. To be honest, I'm not sure English is particularly necessary, and maybe not Spanish... although I do believe that a language is very useful. When I was picking my A level choices, I phoned a Cambridge admissions officer and apparently all they care about is the sciences, but if you did any other subjects they would expect you to still do well in them. Also, bear in mind that Cambridge look very closely at your UMS scores for each exam you take - make sure you pick subjects you really enjoy and are good enough to get 90%+ for every exam in. As for how many subjects to study... it's completely up to you. If you performed very well at GCSE then 5 subjects or more is definitely possible, but not essential. If your GCSE scores were below the Cambridge average (I think roughtly 8-9A*s based on various info from different colleges' websites) you would probably be best focusing on just four. However, if you are not sure which to pick, pick five then drop one after a month or so (before your college/ school has submitted the exam entries of course!) - this may help you decide.
EDIT: look at the Cambridge NatSci page on their website for some useful info on what A level courses they consider useful/ essential for each module - it clearly shows chemistry is very useful to keep a range of options open! Also, physics and further maths are required at some colleges for some courses. Biology is not required for any, in case you were considering picking that...
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci/
this one's quite good too... http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604
Also, chemistry is pretty much essential for NatSci - you'll most probably have a chemistry interview, you need chemistry to study a lot of the module options, and it is a very well regarded science subject. To be honest, I'm not sure English is particularly necessary, and maybe not Spanish... although I do believe that a language is very useful. When I was picking my A level choices, I phoned a Cambridge admissions officer and apparently all they care about is the sciences, but if you did any other subjects they would expect you to still do well in them. Also, bear in mind that Cambridge look very closely at your UMS scores for each exam you take - make sure you pick subjects you really enjoy and are good enough to get 90%+ for every exam in. As for how many subjects to study... it's completely up to you. If you performed very well at GCSE then 5 subjects or more is definitely possible, but not essential. If your GCSE scores were below the Cambridge average (I think roughtly 8-9A*s based on various info from different colleges' websites) you would probably be best focusing on just four. However, if you are not sure which to pick, pick five then drop one after a month or so (before your college/ school has submitted the exam entries of course!) - this may help you decide.
EDIT: look at the Cambridge NatSci page on their website for some useful info on what A level courses they consider useful/ essential for each module - it clearly shows chemistry is very useful to keep a range of options open! Also, physics and further maths are required at some colleges for some courses. Biology is not required for any, in case you were considering picking that...
http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci/
this one's quite good too... http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php?pageid=604
I had considered doing chemistry, but I find in difficult in comparison with physics and biology. I don't know if I would meet the 90%+. I don't have my GCSE results yet, only predicted grades. I might give them a call
Thanks so much!Original post by Holland.
I had considered doing chemistry, but I find in difficult in comparison with physics and biology. I don't know if I would meet the 90%+. I don't have my GCSE results yet, only predicted grades. I might give them a call Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!I have to admit I struggled with GCSE chemistry, and never enjoyed it as much as the other sciences at secondary school. However, at A level I found the teaching quality was much better, we did far more experiments, and I have done much better than expected in it, although still not quite as good as the other sciences. Perhaps you should read a few books around the subjects you are interested in and have a look at their specification (but don't be completely put off one subject based on one small area of the course you find less interesting - I certainly felt that way about the 'developing fuels' module in AS chemistry). There may also be some short weekend courses or summer schools you may be interested in, although it may be a bit late now...
Remember the 90%+ is UMS, not raw marks - it was possible to get 100% UMS in one of my physics exams last year with only 53/60 - one of my friends skipped a whole question and still got 'full marks' UMS! If the exam is particularly difficult, the UMS points will try to even this out by basically ranking everyone in order, then the top 1% get 100% UMS, the next 1% get 99% UMS etc.
GCSE results are generally a good indicator of how well you can do at college, but I know students who achieved nearly straight A*s at GCSE, then failed to put enough work in at A level and got much lower grades then they expected - one is having to retake the whole year (although he was ill for some of it I think...). As long as you work hard and make sure you thoroughly understand everything, it is totally possible to get into Cambridge
ps. I would delay phoning Cambridge until the end of the month - they are currently very busy with pooling interviews/ giving out the last few offers!
Original post by dragonkeeper999
I have to admit I struggled with GCSE chemistry, and never enjoyed it as much as the other sciences at secondary school. However, at A level I found the teaching quality was much better, we did far more experiments, and I have done much better than expected in it, although still not quite as good as the other sciences. Perhaps you should read a few books around the subjects you are interested in and have a look at their specification (but don't be completely put off one subject based on one small area of the course you find less interesting - I certainly felt that way about the 'developing fuels' module in AS chemistry). There may also be some short weekend courses or summer schools you may be interested in, although it may be a bit late now...
Remember the 90%+ is UMS, not raw marks - it was possible to get 100% UMS in one of my physics exams last year with only 53/60 - one of my friends skipped a whole question and still got 'full marks' UMS! If the exam is particularly difficult, the UMS points will try to even this out by basically ranking everyone in order, then the top 1% get 100% UMS, the next 1% get 99% UMS etc.
GCSE results are generally a good indicator of how well you can do at college, but I know students who achieved nearly straight A*s at GCSE, then failed to put enough work in at A level and got much lower grades then they expected - one is having to retake the whole year (although he was ill for some of it I think...). As long as you work hard and make sure you thoroughly understand everything, it is totally possible to get into Cambridge
ps. I would delay phoning Cambridge until the end of the month - they are currently very busy with pooling interviews/ giving out the last few offers!
Remember the 90%+ is UMS, not raw marks - it was possible to get 100% UMS in one of my physics exams last year with only 53/60 - one of my friends skipped a whole question and still got 'full marks' UMS! If the exam is particularly difficult, the UMS points will try to even this out by basically ranking everyone in order, then the top 1% get 100% UMS, the next 1% get 99% UMS etc.
GCSE results are generally a good indicator of how well you can do at college, but I know students who achieved nearly straight A*s at GCSE, then failed to put enough work in at A level and got much lower grades then they expected - one is having to retake the whole year (although he was ill for some of it I think...). As long as you work hard and make sure you thoroughly understand everything, it is totally possible to get into Cambridge
ps. I would delay phoning Cambridge until the end of the month - they are currently very busy with pooling interviews/ giving out the last few offers!
Do you think chemistry will still be important since I'd prefer to take on mostly physics/maths modules in the Natural Sciences course? I actually have two different summer schools that I'm going to this year, one is for physics and I haven't chosen a subject for the other one yet. Oh you do A-level physics? How are you finding it?
English has demanded a lot of essays from me so if you want to take it for AS-level prepare for quite a bit of time spent writing essays and learning new linguistic terminology. I suggest you enjoy english if you want to take it lot's of people from my class have dropped out already
I love it but then I don't want to do physics so I can't say much. Don't know if that helps at all
I love it but then I don't want to do physics so I can't say much. Don't know if that helps at all
Original post by Holland.
Do you think chemistry will still be important since I'd prefer to take on mostly physics/maths modules in the Natural Sciences course? I actually have two different summer schools that I'm going to this year, one is for physics and I haven't chosen a subject for the other one yet. Oh you do A-level physics? How are you finding it?
I really would still consider taking chemistry. Unless you absolutely hate it and are completely failing of course :P But honestly, it will be really useful, and you may change your mind about it next year.
Summer schools sound excellent! Great thing to put in your personal statement and to help you decide exactly what to do
Have fun!I love physics
I find it quite easy, but that's probably because I also do all the mechanics modules of further maths, which is basically half the physics course - the rest is just common-sense word-y questions Have a close look through the NatSci course - everyone has to take a modules of maths in the first year, and you have to continue with maths if you specialise in physics in the seconds and final years. That leaves you with two more first year module options - perhaps materials science, geology, or maybe a biology or chemistry module? Have a look through at those you may find interesting, check the entry requirements (and remember, they may change next year so try to select suitable AS levels to keep your options open). If you're really keen on physics and maths, perhaps consider applying for their physics with maths course (apply through 'maths'). Although you've got a while to think about exactly which course to apply for
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