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Maths, further maths, bio, physics and chem a level

Hey guys, I really have a passion for all of these subjects and I really do love them!! I'm gonna be going into year 12 soon, and was wondering if it was too far of a stretch to achieve A* A* A* A* A*, obviously knowing that I start revision from tommorow (summer holidays)

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Original post by jaspreetb
Hey guys, I really have a passion for all of these subjects and I really do love them!! I'm gonna be going into year 12 soon, and was wondering if it was too far of a stretch to achieve A* A* A* A* A*, obviously knowing that I start revision from tommorow (summer holidays)


There's a guy in my year whos done it so its certainly possible. I do get the impression he spends his entire life revising and has no social life but if you're prepared to do that then I'm sure you could do it too.
Let me guess... You're Indian, Jas? :tongue:

I would say only take on as much as you need to maximise your chances of getting an A* in every subject you take.
Original post by jaspreetb
Hey guys, I really have a passion for all of these subjects and I really do love them!! I'm gonna be going into year 12 soon, and was wondering if it was too far of a stretch to achieve A* A* A* A* A*, obviously knowing that I start revision from tommorow (summer holidays)


You're the only person here who can answer that question, we don't know your personal circumstances. Some people could do it, most can't. As a general rule, I wouldn't recommend it. It would be a safer and more sensible decision to just take four.
Reply 4
I asked my teachers if taking 5 big A levels would be okay and they said it may all be a bit too much for me. You won't really have time for yourself (happening to me right now and I'm in year 10).
I would suggest taking 3/4 and doing your best in them as maybe if you take more and because of the work load you might end up not getting the grades you wanted :P
Hope this helps :smile:
Reply 5
Unless ur planning to do medicine, I think there is no point tbh, you will be dreading it A2, if u have to retake any modules, personally i think it is not a safe choice.
Original post by SeanFM
Let me guess... You're Indian, Jas? :tongue:


Isn't it funny that the Indians always seem to do so well?
It will be as hard as doing three A-levels as intensive courses, for two straight years. It's unnecessary, even for applying to Trinity College, Cambridge for a Mathematics BSc (A*A*A* at 95% + STEP 1,1 should be fine). The main problem is that you'll be stretched thinner than Rome's military in the height of its empire.

Mathematics and Further Mathematics are great facilitating subjects for almost any course, whether it's Computing or Medicine. The choice of Physics/Chemistry/Biology depends what you want to do as a degree.

If it leans towards the medical field, Biology/Chemistry/Maths is a good combination. If it leads towards computers, Maths/Further Maths/Physics is a good combination. If it's an Engineering course, 3 out of Maths/Further Maths/Physics/Chemistry is a good combination.
(edited 7 years ago)
Well you said you love them and you're starting to go over the content over the summer. Achieving those grades is not impossible if you put in the work. Only you know whether or not you can cope with it all.

Ask yourself a few questions. Do you think you can maintain this level of enthusiasm and motivation for the next 2 years? Do you really want to do that many A Levels? Do you need it? Are you sure you wouldn't prefer taking part in an extracurricular activity instead?
Starting english maths bio chem physics in a few days. :frown:
have fun
Summer holidays should be for you to relax and socialise more but if you're all about that revision grind and enjoy it, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Ask yourself whether you can manage the workload, whether you'll keep up the enthusiasm, whether you understand the jump up from GCSE is high. A level content is huge and 5 just seems too much for me personally.
Reply 12
Original post by Plagioclase
You're the only person here who can answer that question, we don't know your personal circumstances. Some people could do it, most can't. As a general rule, I wouldn't recommend it. It would be a safer and more sensible decision to just take four.


I've decided that Im gonna drop physics :smile:)))
Reply 13
Original post by jaspreetb
Hey guys, I really have a passion for all of these subjects and I really do love them!! I'm gonna be going into year 12 soon, and was wondering if it was too far of a stretch to achieve A* A* A* A* A*, obviously knowing that I start revision from tommorow (summer holidays)

Original post by jaspreetb
I've decided that Im gonna drop physics :smile:)))


Hi,

I do all of those subjects to A Level (and general studies but nobody cares about that), and while it is hard it is doable (Don't know if I will get those grades though!). Also, you should be aware that the subjects get much harder from GCSE to A level (to be honest I possibly found physics a bit easier purely because in GCSE there was a lot of memorisation and writing long answers, whereas at A Level it's more mathsy which I am better at).

I don't know if you can do it anymore given the A Level reform, but couldn't you do one as only an AS and then if you like it continue it on to A level? If so then you can see how it goes during AS and if you feel like you can continue then you are sorted, and if you can't then you can just drop one? I don't think you should start revising for them now, it's the summer holidays! Go and have some fun.

If physics is your least favourite it may make sense to drop it, but when I was choosing my A Levels I almost chose to not do Biology (I think I wanted to do History instead). Biology is now possibly my favourite of the subjects, so it could be that by not at least trying physics you might miss out?

Original post by smartalan73
There's a guy in my year whos done it so its certainly possible. I do get the impression he spends his entire life revising and has no social life but if you're prepared to do that then I'm sure you could do it too.


Oi.
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 14
Original post by jaspreetb
Hey guys, I really have a passion for all of these subjects and I really do love them!! I'm gonna be going into year 12 soon, and was wondering if it was too far of a stretch to achieve A* A* A* A* A*, obviously knowing that I start revision from tommorow (summer holidays)


take 4. have a social life.
Original post by ThatPerson2


Oi.


You gonna tell me I'm wrong mate?
Possible but RIP your social life
Reply 17
I did those subjects to AS-level and managed time for a social life. :lol:

I do believe that I'd have much better UMS (just about a 90.1% average at AS) if I focused on 3 instead, but it completely depends on you.
only question is why..what benefit is it doing so many extra subjects?
Reply 19
I have a friend who's planning on doing the same, and dropping both maths at AS level as we can still get away with that, I personally prefer to be rid of the Biology and just take 4 of the best subjects it is possible to take. :smile: I also know, however, that universities give out just as many places to people studying 3 subjects as 4 and if you take 4 or even 5 they will give you an offer based on those rather than just three of them. So if you did maths, F.maths, physics they might offer you a place for A*A*A (that's what my brother holds from Cambridge at the moment with chemistry as the A and the two maths together), whereas you take 4 subjects if you consider sometimes they flatten maths and F.Maths to just F.maths, but for the sake of the example they haven't, You might need to get A*A*AA, which is still ridiculously hard and probably not worth the extra effort when you can get in with fewer A-levels.

I have also been advised unless you take maths at uni F.maths is ignored or accepted as simply maths, so if you don't want to go into maths then perhaps only take the AS of F.maths.
If you plan to take maths I would recommend dropping biology, unless you really enjoy it.
If you're taking chemistry depending on which type you want to go into, you might want to drop either physics or biology.
If you want to take biology I would recommend dropping physics, equally the other way around if you're taking physics you really don't need biology.

Although it's up to you I would drop at least one of those before September, and depending on what you want to do possibly only take AS F.maths.

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