Can I do nine modules for AS instead of six?

So I'm taking further maths, and this is what I'm planning to do at the end of the year: C1, C2, FP1, FP2, M1, S1. BUT I self-study FP1 and FP2, and I've found them easy, and I'm sure by the end of this trimester I'll finish FP2 (i've already done fp1). I want to do C3, C4 and FP3 this year as well. C3 and C4 are extremely easy and FP3 is easier than FP2. I am SURE I could get A's on all of them! But is that something allowed by the exam board? It's Edexcel btw.

Reply 1

Chlorophile

Original post by gagafacea1

If you did that, you'd have a full A2 in Maths and an AS in Further Maths.

Reply 2

username1599987

Original post by Chlorophile

If you did that, you'd have a full A2 in Maths and an AS in Further Maths.

WOW really? So it IS a thing! That would be so cool! But I think I might have to beg my teacher to let me do it...

Reply 3

Chlorophile

Original post by gagafacea1

WOW really? So it IS a thing! That would be so cool! But I think I might have to beg my teacher to let me do it...

You might want to check that it works though. The problem is that I think you need to have FP2 or FP3 as part of A2 Further Maths, so you could potentially have a problem by 'using them up' for AS Further Maths and A2 Maths. But in principle, you definitely can do 9 modules in Year 12. Just please make sure you're only doing 9 if you're certain it won't harm your grades. Top marks in 6 modules looks better than lightly lower marks in 9.

Reply 4

TeeEm

Original post by gagafacea1

you can do any number of modules within a year ...

What and how you can cash them (certification) is a different question.

I am assuming you will be doing more modules the following year so it would not matter at the end.

I taught a student 2 years ago

First year: C1,C2,C3,C4,S1,S2,M1,M2
second year: FP1,FP2,FP3,S3,M3,M4,M5 (Plus old M6, without taking exam + some elementary undergrad methods)

He certified at the end MATHS, FURTHER MATHS, plus an AS in ADDITIONAL FURTHER MATHS

Reply 5

username1599987

Original post by Chlorophile

tbh, I could do C1, C2, C3 and FP1 blindfolded, so I'm sure I will get A's on those; and with a little bit of studying I could do the rest. The only two I'm worried about (just a little bit) are M1 and S1.

Reply 6

username1599987

Original post by TeeEm

This is what I was thinking:
1st year: C1-4, FP1-3, M1, M2
2nd year: M2-5, S2-4
I'm not really sure about the decisions modules, but I'd rather skip them tbh.

Reply 7

Chlorophile

Original post by gagafacea1

This is what I was thinking:
1st year: C1-4, FP1-3, M1, M2
2nd year: M2-5, S2-4
I'm not really sure about the decisions modules, but I'd rather skip them tbh.

Good idea.

Reply 8

TeeEm

Original post by gagafacea1

This is what I was thinking:
1st year: C1-4, FP1-3, M1, M2
2nd year: M2-5, S2-4
I'm not really sure about the decisions modules, but I'd rather skip them tbh.

then you will have a spare module which you cannot cash.

Reply 9

username1599987

Original post by TeeEm

then you will have a spare module which you cannot cash.

Great, I could skip S4!

Reply 10

TeeEm

Original post by gagafacea1

Great, I could skip S4!

I guess you could.

However I would still advice to cover it without sitting an exam, straight after your S3, because It cover some very useful material such as the t-distribution

Reply 11

username1599987

Original post by TeeEm

I guess you could.

However I would still advice to cover it without sitting an exam, straight after your S3, because It cover some very useful material such as the t-distribution

Oh wait, what if I do s4 with d1 and 2? could I cash that?

Reply 12

TeeEm

Original post by gagafacea1

Oh wait, what if I do s4 with d1 and 2? could I cash that?

that is a total of 18 modules.

very few people try this "grand slam"

you can then cash

MATHS
FURTHER MATHS
ADDITIONAL FURTHER MATHS

3 full A levels.

Reply 13

username1599987

Original post by TeeEm

that is a total of 18 modules.

very few people try this "grand slam"

you can then cash

MATHS
FURTHER MATHS
ADDITIONAL FURTHER MATHS

3 full A levels.

That would be very possible, if I don't finish chemistry and biology next year (I'm doing chem, bio and physics AS). I would LOVE to have this "grand slam" on my résumé tbh.

Reply 14

TeeEm

Original post by gagafacea1

That would be very possible, if I don't finish chemistry and biology next year (I'm doing chem, bio and physics AS). I would LOVE to have this "grand slam" on my résumé tbh.

hope you are succesful
:smile:

Reply 15

username1599987

Original post by TeeEm

hope you are succesful
:smile:

Thanks for the help! :smile:

Reply 16

TenOfThem

Original post by gagafacea1

That would be very possible, if I don't finish chemistry and biology next year (I'm doing chem, bio and physics AS). I would LOVE to have this "grand slam" on my résumé tbh.

If you are considering 3 Maths + Physics that would not be a very good selection most people have 2 A Levels plus their maths

Reply 17

username1599987

Original post by TenOfThem

If you are considering 3 Maths + Physics that would not be a very good selection most people have 2 A Levels plus their maths

I don't know, but if cambridge is ok with math, further and physics, why would others unis be not?

Reply 18

davros

Original post by gagafacea1

I don't know, but if cambridge is ok with math, further and physics, why would others unis be not?

Two points:

firstly, unis aren't like schools where they basically all try to deliver essentially the same 'product' in the same way - different unis can set different admissions criteria that may not seem to be terribly logical or consistent, and Cambridge - as a top uni - can be flexible in what it asks for given that it focuses very much on mathematical ability and nothing else (extra-curriculars etc).

secondly, if you're moving exams around or doing anything that may seem to be reducing your A level workload, you should also be aware that many of the top unis like to see evidence that you can cope with at least 3 full A levels or more concurrently as preparation for the sort of workload you will encounter at university.

Personally, I would have no problem at all letting someone with exceptional performance in Maths, FM and Physics onto a Maths degree, but you really need to do a bit of digging and check with some individual unis that they would be happy with your combination of subjects.