Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

A2 choices

Poll

Which subject set?

OK, this is very much along the same lines as that other thread currently in the Cambridge forum (except it's A2 choices but hey), so sorry about that, but opinions would be greatly apreciated!

Basically, I want to apply for physical NatSci, and am currently debating either:

Maths
Physics
Chem
Economics
FM AS only

OR

Maths
Physics
Chem
Further Maths
Eco AS only

However, the 2nd option would require me to drop Economics at the end of this year, and teach myself 3 further maths modules in my free periods. whereas the 1st option doesn't require me to do anything that I'm not doing this year already.

Which do you think would be the best for me to do? Considering both the range of skills argument, but also the fact that further maths is good for physics :s-smilie:

edit: and physics is what I want to ultimately specialise into, and what I'll be applying to do at other universities.
edit2: Poll 2nd option should read Drop Eco after AS, take FM to A2

Reply 1

theno1

you could try self teach fm A2???? then get a tutor to brush up on it, i feel eceonomics will be better at putting everything into perspective..

Reply 2

Sockpirate

theno1

you could try self teach fm A2???? then get a tutor to brush up on it, i feel eceonomics will be better at putting everything into perspective..

I don't quite understand your post but oh well ^^; I will be teaching myself FM A2 if I go with the 2nd option? If your suggesting that I do both to A2, my college won't allow it. :frown:

Reply 3

JCM89

I don't think there is sufficient difference in the choices to really warrant spending that much time thinking about it - just go with whichever combo you think will get you the highest grades.

Reply 4

theno1

no, do eco at a2, then self teach FM.. ?

Reply 5

Sockpirate

JCM89

I don't think there is sufficient difference in the choices to really warrant spending that much time thinking about it - just go with whichever combo you think will get you the highest grades.

That's a good point, but I'm pretty sure that I can get very similar scores in both of them, which just puts me at another dead end XD

theno1

no, do eco at a2, then self teach FM.. ?

To what level? I would be doing it to AS level with my maths class anyway if I took eco to A2, and my school won't let me do both to A2. So you'd say option 1 then?

Reply 6

Kinkerz

For NatSci, continue with FM.

Reply 7

Sockpirate

Kinkerz

For NatSci, continue with FM.

Ok, thanks for your input :smile:

the only thing I'm worried about is that teaching myself FM could give me a slightly lower UMS that being taught Economics to A2... but I guess If I just do like 10 past papers for each exam that should be ok. I think I'm mainly worried about how easy it's going to be to teach myself further maths modules. Although luckily I'm already going to be doing M2, FP1 and FP2 in class, so I'd probably teach myself D1 over the summer (as I wouldn't need to worry about not having done other modules which I need to do first) and then M3 and M4 during term time. Would that make a whole FM A level? FP1, FP2, M2, M3, M4, D1? You only need 2 FP modules don't you?

edit: typo's ahoy! Also sorry for the garbled post. That's what happens when you try and post on TSR when you should be in bed XD

Reply 8

Kinkerz

Sockpirate

Ok, thanks for your input :smile:

the only thing I'm worried about it that teaching myself FM could give me a slightly lower UMS that being taught Economics to A2... but I guess If I just do like 10 past papers for each exam that should be ok. I think I'm manly worried about how easy it's going to be to teach myself further maths modules. Although luckily I'm already going to be doing M2, FP1 and FP2 in class, so I'd probably teach myself D1 over the summer (as I wouldn't need to worry about not having done other modules which I need to do first) and then M3 and M4 during term time. Would that make a whole FM A level? FP1, FP2, M2, M3, M4, D1? You only need 2 FP modules don't you?

You'd be better posting this query in the maths forum. Since I don't do maths, I can't really help.

:smile:

Reply 9

ByronicHero

no media studies....i dont understand =s

lol

Reply 10

emilY?

FM would be VERY useful for Phys NatSci.

I'd definitely do it if you can.

Reply 11

Tempeststurm

Further Maths would definitely be much more useful for physics. FP2 is the hardest module, and could be tricky to self teach. D1 is easy, and doing as much mechanics as possible would be a very good idea, and probably wouldn't be too difficult. If you think you can get the marks, definitely do Further Maths.

Reply 12

Economies_of_scale

Further Maths. Do Economics if you really want to but it won't have any real positive effect on your application, and Further Maths would.

Reply 13

-Matt-

Sockpirate

Ok, thanks for your input :smile:

I self-taught Further Maths A2 and I'd say while it's not easy it is definitely manageable :smile:

providing you can find the time and motivation to get the work done (I struggled a bit with this :s-smilie:

). Your proposed module choice would be fine in terms of meeting the requirements as far as I know (assuming they are the same/similar between exam boards, I was with Edexcel), as I think your right that you just need to have at least two Further Pure modules. Good luck with whatever you choose :smile:

Reply 14

Sockpirate

OK, thanks so much all of you! I'm going to talk to the options person tomorrow morning, so I'll see what he says - at the moment, he's trying to get me to move into the further maths class, but that would involve me teaching myself 2 modules anyway (just because of the difference in modules that we did this year) and would involve me switching my physics class as well, so it seems like so much less hassle to just teach myself 3 modules and not switch classes, rather than having to go through the hassle of teaching myself 2 modules anyway, and having to change my classes.
Sooyeah, thanks so much guys - you've been a great help :biggrin:

Reply 15

Zygroth

Sockpirate

I switched classes after learning 2 modules (C4/M2) myself - I can guarantee that it is well worth it if all it costs is your moving to a different set. For one, if you stay in your normal class you'll be doing work you have covered yourself (Unless you plan to do modules in a very short amount of time), work you need to do before you start learning the modules you wish to study by yourself (I considered this myself :tongue:

Too many modules will most likely mean you need the ones you can't do without the ones you cover in class). These lessons will therefore become a waste of time. The other reason is that a teacher does make things clearer, and you'll understand things much more easily than if you read it straight from a book, though TSR will probably provide solutions to...just about everything :tongue:

Reply 16

Sockpirate

Zygroth

If I stay in my normal class, I won't be doing work that I've covered myself, since I'm planning on doing D1 over the summer, and we will have started M2 just before the summer in class, and will be doing it during the autumn term too, at the same time that I'm teaching myself M3. In fact, the opposite might actually happen - apparently the further maths class might be taking S1 just as an easy module, which I will have already done, thus wasting time in that class. Plus I'd end up having to do 13 modules after all if I moved sets, meaning that I'd have to do one more than necessary, just because of what modules we've done.
I do get your point that having a teacher will make things clearer than reading from a book, but my maths teacher is brilliant and very happy to give extra mini lessons over lunch to cover anything I don't understand. Plus, as you say - TSR has the answer to everything! :tongue: