very confused about A-levels

OP

no, I don't go to a sixth form or college, I will study and participate on my own to the A-level exams, isn't it possible?

Reply 3

8472

Self teaching for a-levels isn't really the best idea. You'd need to take the exam in a official center. So i'd contact a local college and ask about it. :smile:

Reply 4

username1437443

2

Original post by studos

no, I don't go to a sixth form or college, I will study and participate on my own to the A-level exams, isn't it possible?

Im self teaching A-levels at the moment. Give me a shout if you need any help :smile:

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Reply 5

colourtheory

15

Original post by studos

no, I don't go to a sixth form or college, I will study and participate on my own to the A-level exams, isn't it possible?

I wonder if it is really worth self-teaching your A-Levels if you're not entirely sure about how they operate and what will be required of you during exams etc. Is it not possible for you to join a sixth form or college?

Reply 6

OP

no I cannot join a sixth form or a college (what is really the difference of a sixth form and a college? aren't both schools/colleges?)

Reply 7

loperdoper

15

Original post by studos

no I cannot join a sixth form or a college (what is really the difference of a sixth form and a college? aren't both schools/colleges?)

A sixth form is tied to a secondary school, and a sixth form college (or just "college"), stands alone, and only offers 16-19 qualifications.

Reply 8

OP

so there isn't an official A-level guide to learn about the systems and requirements etc? It is unfair for people who self study!

Reply 9

llamaspoon

17

Original post by studos

so there isn't an official A-level guide to learn about the systems and requirements etc? It is unfair for people who self study!

There is a syllabus, but it will vary, depending on which exam board you take your exams with.

Reply 10

keynes24

10

Original post by studos

so there isn't an official A-level guide to learn about the systems and requirements etc? It is unfair for people who self study!

A-levels were not designed to be self-taught. You are going to struggle if you are trying to follow that route. In terms of choosing examination boards you need advice from different experts on each subject you are planning to choose.

Reply 11

suzywithaZY

18

Original post by studos

so there isn't an official A-level guide to learn about the systems and requirements etc? It is unfair for people who self study!

It's assumed that people pick it up through thorough research online. I knew about how A-Levels worked before teachers at school explained it to me because I'd taken the time to research it properly.

Reply 12

OP

Original post by thechemistress

It's assumed that people pick it up through thorough research online. I knew about how A-Levels worked before teachers at school explained it to me because I'd taken the time to research it properly.

you are talking as if we have to do with a natural phenomenon, rare and hard to explain, where scientists try to investigate...

it's an exam! each exam has a material to learn! it's simple!
it's the first time I see you have to research about an exam to take!

Reply 13

gdunne42

Original post by studos

so there isn't an official A-level guide to learn about the systems and requirements etc? It is unfair for people who self study!

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/files/A-levelGuide.pdf

every exam board has information on their website to help private candidates

Reply 14

OP

is there a comparison of the different exam boards for Maths, Physics and Chemistry?
what kind of differences exist, apart from the knowledge to be learned? are there differences in the format of exams, in the time, etc?

Reply 15

gdunne42

Not to my knowledge.

All maths are very similar.
Don't do the OCR MEI syllabus as it includes coursework in the C3 module that is a problem for private candidates. Edexcel syllabus is taken by more students than all the other alternatives combined.

Science A levels include practical exams. This will be your biggest challenge and cost to arrange. Find an exam centre that will accept you for practicals and follow whichever syllabus they offer.

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Reply 16

suzywithaZY

18

Original post by studos

you are talking as if we have to do with a natural phenomenon, rare and hard to explain, where scientists try to investigate...

it's an exam! each exam has a material to learn! it's simple!
it's the first time I see you have to research about an exam to take!

No. You know nothing about A-Levels. Literally nothing. Search it up instead of asking vague questions on here. Honestly, it's shocking that you know so little about the system, considering that you will be doing them this year. You don't even know your exam boards.
So instead of being patronising, get researching.
A-Levels aren't meant to be self-taught. You'd do much better at sixth form/college, especially as English doesn't seem to be your first language.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 17

keynes24

10

Original post by studos

you are talking as if we have to do with a natural phenomenon, rare and hard to explain, where scientists try to investigate...

it's an exam! each exam has a material to learn! it's simple!
it's the first time I see you have to research about an exam to take!

What sort of exams have you taken? If you are planning to enter as a private candidate and choose different courses from different examination boards then you need to research those. If you enrol in a sixth form college then the course department would have already chosen a specific examination board and they should provide information in terms of the assessment involved and topics to be covered.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 18

username1042689