A level choices

Hey, I'm thinking about A level physics I don't want to take A level Maths I really enjoy gcse physics, I know it's easy compared to A level, and enjoy learning about the theories and topics such as astrophysics. I'm not amazing at maths I'm targeted a 6 gcse but I'm getting 8/9s in physics do you think I'll be alright without being really good at maths or taking it at A level?

That's what I wanted to hear! 😂😂 I am just concerned I will struggle with the involved maths

I do AQA physics a level, I’m currently in year 13, and maths is a HUGE part of the a level! There still is theory, but there’s far more marks for maths than any of the other sciences. I don’t do a level maths but most of my physics class do and they don’t stop going on about how much it helps them. As much as I’d love to say ‘oh no you’ll be fine just do physics’, there is a great deal of maths involved so you’ll need to think carefully about whether it’s a good idea to do. However, if you’re achieving 8s and 9s in gcse physics, year 12 AS physics is genuinely just gcse equations with extra bits thrown in so you should be fine with that, but year 13 A2 content gets SO SO much more difficult. Hopefully by then you’ll be used to the slightly greater level of difficulty and the maths aspect won’t be a problem.

omg I'm in the same situation as you!!

I do AQA physics a level, I’m currently in year 13, and maths is a HUGE part of the a level! There still is theory, but there’s far more marks for maths than any of the other sciences. I don’t do a level maths but most of my physics class do and they don’t stop going on about how much it helps them. As much as I’d love to say ‘oh no you’ll be fine just do physics’, there is a great deal of maths involved so you’ll need to think carefully about whether it’s a good idea to do. However, if you’re achieving 8s and 9s in gcse physics, year 12 AS physics is genuinely just gcse equations with extra bits thrown in so you should be fine with that, but year 13 A2 content gets SO SO much more difficult. Hopefully by then you’ll be used to the slightly greater level of difficulty and the maths aspect won’t be a problem.

If I remember correctly, math work is meant to make up around 40% of the marks, but if you're handling GCSE Physics fine you should be able to get through the A-Level. It's just more of manipulating equations, handling data and interpreting graphs. Anything that you will have missed by not taking A-Level maths should be covered by your teachers, for example logarithms.

Do consider, though, what you might want to do with an A-Level in Physics down the line. If you're considering university, keep in mind that all engineering or physics/astrophysics courses will require A-Level maths.

Do you find it challenging without the benefit of maths? and if you don't mind me asking, what grades do you normally get?

Solid A/A* in physics. I got a 9 in GCSE maths and A in GCSE further maths and I’m finding physics pretty challenging just because there’s differentiation and Integration and things which obviously I’ve still got no idea what they are, you just get told to learn the equations. However, it takes a bit more work without a level maths but it’s in no way a necessity to have maths as well as physics

But overall would you recommend taking maths with it? or is it possible to self teach the mathematical techniques needed in physics?