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Do you think reading A-Level at GCSE level is unnecessary?

It probably sounds stupid at first, but I feel that it might help me to expand on my knowledge. My idea was to read the GCSE topic first, then extend on that background knowledge reading A-Levels stuff. I'm not doing this to 'show off to friend's or whatever, just a genuine interest in expansion of current knowledge.

Understanding it is not so much a problem. I'll probably watch YouTube videos on it, and I self-taught myself 3 subjects for GCSE modules in January as I missed out on a whole year, managing to get A*AB.

What do you think, is it unnecessary work? And if so, can you suggest a better alternative? Many thanks!
Just shut the hell up and go out some time!
Original post by FutureMedicalDoctor
It probably sounds stupid at first, but I feel that it might help me to expand on my knowledge. My idea was to read the GCSE topic first, then extend on that background knowledge reading A-Levels stuff. I'm not doing this to 'show off to friend's or whatever, just a genuine interest in expansion of current knowledge.

Understanding it is not so much a problem. I'll probably watch YouTube videos on it, and I self-taught myself 3 subjects for GCSE modules in January as I missed out on a whole year, managing to get A*AB.

What do you think, is it unnecessary work? And if so, can you suggest a better alternative? Many thanks!


I think if you personally have that thirst for knowledge, then go for it, but make sure your understanding of the GCSE stuff comes first.
Reply 3
Go for it, I used to read up on biology all the time; was seriously obsessed but not by Alevel content by documentaries and news to do with advancements. If youre into science watch horizon.
Original post by MEPLUS-->YOU
Just shut the hell up and go out some time!





ignore the above comments, when you succeed and do really well academically, get a good job, paid well, then you'll be able to look back and laugh at these scum who will probably still be spending every last penny on socialising and getting ****ed.
Reply 5
Original post by SumTingWong
ignore the above comments, when you succeed and do really well academically, get a good job, paid well, then you'll be able to look back and laugh at these scum who will probably still be spending every last penny on socialising and getting ****ed.



ha agree so much.
Reply 6
Bear in mind though, that a lot of GCSE courses (esp. science) are dumbed down to the extent of being factually incorrect compared to the A-level version.

My advice would be to download a copy of the A-Level syllabus for all your subjects, make sure you can do everything it says, buy a revision book for your board/course and work through that, then work through all of the available past papers. If you can do all that then you are pretty much guaranteed an A in the real exam.

I always found that I was better off teaching myself for GCSE/A-Level as the content is so standardised and a lot of the teaching I had at GCSE was ineffective. Good luck
(edited 12 years ago)
not touchy tonight...i just dont agree with the view that doing some extra work should be frowned upon. As long as you keep a healthy balance of work and socialising, there isn't any reason why you can't do well; but people who are motivated to do extra work should be encouraged, not mocked.

I also find the mentality that 'life is too short to be taken seriously and so you should spend it all partying and only think about the current day' ridiculous. Yes, as i said, theres no reason to not enjoy yourself if you have time, but without planning ahead/preparing for the future then you won't get anywhere.

Your comment, that she has "way too much time in her hands" is absurd; you have to make time. If she is putting the effort in to find time to study extra course material, then she should be commended for that.
(edited 12 years ago)
Yes, it is unnecessary.
It is unneccessary but there is nothing wrong in doing so.

It's definitely not what I would be doing but if you are really hungry for knowledge then go for it.

Will prepare you well for the course. Although, you will be absolutely bored in classes because you probably know everything already by then.
Reply 10
Well, considering that the syllables are different and when you get to A-level, the teachers will tell you that everything you have been learning is wrong.
I don't particular see much point as you might as well spend your time learning the GCSE syllables.
Though if you really want to then just go for it.
only do it for analytical subjects and languages, all the sciences are dumbed down at GCSE and there's a reasonable chance you'll get lower marks if you use AS level answers in the exam.
Reply 12
Yes it is, but if you'll enjoy it go for it. But some of it may contradict what you need to know for GCSE even if its actually correct so be careful if you do, but definitely don't feel like you have to.
I would say no.
I'm planning on doing this AFTER my GCSE exams though.
I'll do Maths, Further Maths and Physics A Levels in the Summer.
At the moment, I don't want to know unnecessary information for fear that I'll forget things needed for GCSE.

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