Trying to get A*A*A*A*A* at A-level

Can't you just take your CS projet in a pen drive or upload it to google drive? Also, whats your project? sound interesting

Yes, but I've tried it before but the college has some kind of security that prevents me from moving unrecognised file formats (my Java files) to their drive. But my teacher promises to sort that out for me... (i hope)
My project at the moment is basically going to be an quiz system but I'll be adding loads of features to make it complex which'll hopefully push it for the top marks!
Are you doing a programming project?

I'm only doing GCSE CS atm but I'm looking to A-Level CS (hopefully, as my school normally only allows you to do it if you also take A-Level maths with it would - which I don't plan on doing). Do you find the spec enjoyable and do you think there is much maths involved?

Also, you could always copy all of your code to something like pastebin and then copy it back to eclipse or something when you get back to school.

Gl

Ah, GCSE CS, good times that. It only gets worse from there buddy!
Just kidding, if I might say so myself having done GCSE computing and i got an A* fortunately (entirely self-taught) ! A good 60% of the content is the same, so do try and remember what you've learnt. The programming project isnt till the A2 year but it would be good to learn some coding beforehand I'm fairly proficient in general coding and I catch on quite easily so it wasn't a problem for me but others are really struggling right now.

Yes definitely take A-level maths, it will help just in general with Mathematical thinking. Maths is involved although not as much as I'd like... there is a section in the spec dedicated to binary/hex/denary and you've got a bunch of binary calculations to make. I would recommend A-level maths to you. Effectively COmputer Science is Maths, but applied to computers. The spec for me is not enjoyable... i enjoy Computer Science and a lot of the theory and I find it quite interesting. Parts of the spec are interesting as hell espec the maths parts but other parts are just annoying e.g. databases.

Eh, if maths a-level is 100% required then I probably won't end up taking A-level CS. I'm on track for an A* and might try and go for 100% in the exam I think my school does AQA so the spec will probably be different

Hi.

Just started my AS year, currently taking Maths, Physics and Further Maths (may change).

I want to study Physics at uni (out of interest for the subject) and aim for a career as a Developer. I only plan on taking 3 A Levels in my second year due to the workload and was wondering if anyone can recommend me taking 4 AS subjects instead of my 3 current ones.

If i were to do this I would adopt Computer Science, making my AS subjects Maths, Physics, Further Maths and Computer Science.

My only doubt about Computer Science is concerning the hardware side as I am really only interested in the software development (programming) side. Wondering what people think about this change and whether or not it would be wiser to take these 4 AS Levels or just take the 3 AS Levels and spend my spare time focusing on these subjects and developing my programming skills.

I currently enjoy my 3 AS Levels (Maths, Physics and Further Maths) and am weary to take on another.I appreciate any response.

Hey!
Great choices! I obviously don't know you personally but 4 AS's will be more work than 3AS's so its up to you really. Computer Science would compliment the other 3 very well - it did for me as some topics appear in Decision Maths and surprisingly Physics (i forget which ones now). But they go together well. And fair enough about the hardware point! What you'll find is it is actually ALL software based with the exception of the first chapter on the processor architecture. There is no programming project in the first year however you will be programming algorithms etc. So yes it is all... id say 95% software based. The only topic I can think of that is hardware is structure and function of the processor. It is however 100% theory. So a lot of learning to do. I personally loved programming and so I picked it up and I think the rest of the content is fine (except databases I hate databases.)

If you are weary to take another, don't do it. Different people can cope with different work loads. Like you've probably heard a billion times, 3As is better than 2 A's and 2 B's.
Hope this helps!

Thanks very much for the fast reply!

I'm going to attend the Computer Science lesson tomorrow and see what I think of it, have 5 more weeks or so until I have mocks and I'll be encouraged to make a final decision on my subjects. Hopefully I'll get a better viewpoint by then and will be able to cope with the work load alright as I feel like Computer Science would be a great asset to have.

Thanks again for the help, I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind, especially concerning the fact that it sounds like we'll be starting off with the hardware side *gag*.

Day 4
Further Maths
To keep it short, I struggled with Binomial Distribution a LOT in class and I pretty much didn't understand a thing because I couldn't remember any of it. However I managed to learn it in my free but I still need to practice questions. We're due to complete the first 2 chapters of M2 (there are 5) by this week. FP1 is more slow but we're going to start FP2 whilst finishing FP1. It's not exactly as efficient as I'd hoped but heyo.
So I need to practice S2 Binomial Distribution questions and recap the first two chapters of M2 and the first 2 chapters of FP1 this weekend.
Physics
We've done a few experiments and questions on Simple Harmonic Motion. But other than that not much progress which is really really irritating me and I might have to start working ahead. I need to practice questions on SMH and Circular Motion this weekend too.
Computer Science
Got my program working on the college computers and I'm now going to complete the Analysis section of the write-up before the end of September. I'm aiming for breathing space so that I can prepare for admissions tests. Aside from this, not much else happening, I'm too focused on meeting deadlines at the moment.
EPQ
I have come up with a title that I think will be sufficient and I need to fill in all the relevant logs and paperwork for this. The deadline isn't till next week so I've left that for a later date.
UCAS/University
My application is about ready to be sent off now. I'm just dabbling with my personal statement. I need to submit it tomorrow. It'll be nice to finally get that off my chest along with my assignments for Computer Science! Then I can start the next week with a fresh mind knowing I've met the deadlines and all I need to do is keep up with all the work!
In other news Oxford is #1 in the world university ranking which I think is amazing... to think that someone like me (university isn't a normal option from my background) can apply to the world's best university is incredible... doubt I'll get in but I'll give it a shot!

Thanks for reading! Fairly short, because I have deadlines incoming tomorrow. I've already met one; I literally just submitted my assignment. I'll be adding some subject-specific tips in my next post!

Eh, if maths a-level is 100% required then I probably won't end up taking A-level CS. I'm on track for an A* and might try and go for 100% in the exam I think my school does AQA so the spec will probably be different

i got 100% ums in the computing exam and only started revising like a few days before, I regret not picking it at a-levels to late to change and economics is boring me, would probably do better at CS

Do you find that struggle because you didn't take it at a-level?

Didn't take what?
I'm doing a-levels now
And not picking computing just means that i picked economics instead and I would probably do better in CS, but i'll still try get a good grade in economics. Didn't pick it at gcses so its all new

Day 6

Short update:
The weekend is here, I have to study. The last few days have been incredibly hectic with UCAS and other deadlines but I managed to meet them. The relief after submitting that UCAS form is incredible. However, I think I've made a mistake by choosing Sheffield over Durham/UCL so I'm thinking about this and looking to change it within the next few days. Yes I know very last minute. But the UCAS form isn't over yet... I need to chase up my teachers for references etc.
Also we're redecorating so I haven't had access to my room/study materials for the past 48 hours.... Which SUCKS because I haven't done ANY work.
I visited Warwick and I'm happy with that decision on UCAS though which is always plus.
The plan for the weekend is outlined above so this evening + sunday is dedicated to that studying!