Do A Levels Matter?

I'm on course to achieve A's in Physics and Chemistry but only a C in Maths. If i were to then get say a 2.1 in my MChem degree will employers count me out/mark me down because of the C at A-Level?

Reply 1

Tokyoround

Possibly. Depends on the employer in question to be honest.

Reply 2

FubbyTucker

In isolation, no.
As a previous recruiter though, I'd say that I have been in a situation where I've had to choose between two candidates who've been equal at interview and experience, and it has been A level results that I used to choose. Both had 2.2's.
You'd have to be pretty unlucky to be in that situation though, and I ended up offering the chap who missed out something at a later date so didn't feel too bad about it.

Reply 3

Dragonfly07

Yes, they do. I willl graduate soon and my postgrad want me to have 2 A levels B+ in addition to my degree, as well as GCSE maths, English and science at B+

Reply 4

milienhaus

Some graduate schemes have UCAS points requirements (usually 300 or 320, so I think you'd be ok). Some have further requirements too, for example some actuarial firms specify an A in maths, but if you dont really like maths I guess you wouldn't want to do that kind of job anyway!

Reply 5

M1011

Incorrect. A-levels do matter when it comes to finding a job, depending on what you're looking for. Most of the big graduate employers have A-level requirements as a way to filter out weaker applicants, usually ranging from 300-340 UCAS across your top 3 (BBB - AAB). It would be silly to discount them as unimportant, although I think after gaining a few years experience they generally speaking won't matter any more.

Original post by Lukev

For smaller recruiters this may be true, larger employers won't even look at you if you don't meet the base requirements. They pretty much all have UCAS requirements for graduate applicants.

Reply 6

RemiMarcelle

You would have to go into something very specialised, that's probably why you're still unemployed.

What's geophysics?

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Reply 7

M1011

Original post by RemiMarcelle

You would have to go into something very specialised, that's probably why you're still unemployed.

What's geophysics?

This post doesn't make much sense. How do you mean he would having to go in to something very specialised?

Reply 8

wanderlust.xx

Experience is intelligence in the real world.

You're asked for a minimum of an A at maths for a maths degree because you've had experience with maths before doing more of it.

It's the same thing with jobs. You're expected to have experience doing a job before someone pays you to do another. It's just how humans assess others. Nothing more than that.

I agree though, I've lost faith in academic qualifications, too. It seems that if you're as dumb as a brick, but good with people, you have a shot at being happy. If you're clever but rubbish with people, happiness is a closed door. No job, no friends, no close relationships, and an unfulfilled life.

Being good with people is almost 99% of success. The last 1% is how you react to change.

Reply 9

LexiswasmyNexis

I think contacts help. So do people skills. But ultimately you probably need to show some intelligence, too.

It isn't quite the case that you can be guck but good with people and have more chance of being successful.

Similarly, nepotism will only get you so far- and in any case it doesn't reflect well on the patron for the protege to be rubbish. There has to be ability.

It's tricky to express such blanket assessments without sounding a bit sour about it all.

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Reply 10

Politics Student

Original post by M1011

I think you are confusing grad schemes with grad jobs (which arguable don't really exist).

Most grad schemes do use both degree classification and ucas points as a filtering process due to the high number of applicants. However, grad schemes are far from the norm for the majority of people as only a very small number find places.

Apart from that filter I cannot think of why A levels would even be checked. At the end of the day they were a series of memory tests with some short essay writing skills. The degree is the big thing that would be of interest but even then the degree would be pretty meaningless to the vast majority of jobs you apply for as experience is far more highly valued.

Reply 11

Maid Marian

Original post by wanderlust.xx

Guess that's my life down the drain then. :redface:

Reply 12

Little Jules

Original post by Tokyoround

Possibly. Depends on the employer in question to be honest.

This is really the best answer you are going to get. It just depends on what you are applying for, when, with who, and what they are looking for.

Some grad schemes will set minimum UCAS points. All other employers are likely to consider your whole CV. If you have a strong 2:1 from a good university (and probably some experience) then an employer may not check your A Level grades. Some employers may take A Levels into account in a very competitive process, and some may be looking for a certain level of maths.

No one will be able to give you a straight answer on this. Obviously the best thing you can do is try as hard as you can to pull up your maths grade, and then work hard at the degree too to make sure you get a good result!