A*A*A*A*A* student

Wow thats quite late to make the switch, what made you choose medicine on UCAS.

So you did modular A levels then? Four linear A levels are much more work and need different exam technique.

Which medical schools did you apply for and how did you decide which to firm?

Did you do all 5 A-levels at the same time?

yes - although one was an EPQ so technically 4 and a half haha

how you finding medicine? x

Last year I got 5 A1s (equivalent to A*) in Scottish higher, but since Scottish qualifications are different I still must get AAB (standard entry, despite the B, due to Scottish qualifications being significant over 2 years) this year in advanced Highers to meet my Oxford conditions. Even though I’ve only had A1s in my 3 subjects (maths, physics and chemistry) so far, I can’t help but worry about it, and the worrying that I might do bad is holding me back from studying. I’m somebody who can do quite well with little revision, but of course some revision is definitely necessary and the more I do, the more likely I will succeed.

I’m confident for maths and am aiming for 100% this year (97% last year), so an A at like 70% seems very doable. However with physics (got like 90% last year) and chemistry (got like 95% last year) there’s a practical element which is marked with some ambiguity so I worry something could go wrong or I could get unlucky with the markers I get and I could get 2 Bs even if I get like >85% in the actual exam papers. I was wondering if you ever worried and how to get yourself to focus without panicking about failing? I know by doing 5 it would have helped you be comfortable with doing well in 3, but I was unable to continue my other 2 subjects, one I especially wanted wasn’t being run by my school.

Basically how do I get focused without feeling the pressure of destroying my future? Thanks .
And congrats on doing so amazing and studying medicine at such a good uni. I aspire to get perfect grades like you this year (in just 3 subjects though). How are you finding the uni workload?

Last year I got 5 A1s (equivalent to A*) in Scottish higher, but since Scottish qualifications are different I still must get AAB (standard entry, despite the B, due to Scottish qualifications being significant over 2 years) this year in advanced Highers to meet my Oxford conditions. Even though I’ve only had A1s in my 3 subjects (maths, physics and chemistry) so far, I can’t help but worry about it, and the worrying that I might do bad is holding me back from studying. I’m somebody who can do quite well with little revision, but of course some revision is definitely necessary and the more I do, the more likely I will succeed.

I’m confident for maths and am aiming for 100% this year (97% last year), so an A at like 70% seems very doable. However with physics (got like 90% last year) and chemistry (got like 95% last year) there’s a practical element which is marked with some ambiguity so I worry something could go wrong or I could get unlucky with the markers I get and I could get 2 Bs even if I get like >85% in the actual exam papers. I was wondering if you ever worried and how to get yourself to focus without panicking about failing? I know by doing 5 it would have helped you be comfortable with doing well in 3, but I was unable to continue my other 2 subjects, one I especially wanted wasn’t being run by my school.

Basically how do I get focused without feeling the pressure of destroying my future? Thanks .
And congrats on doing so amazing and studying medicine at such a good uni. I aspire to get perfect grades like you this year (in just 3 subjects though). How are you finding the uni workload?

When I was in A2 I was in a very similar predicament and constantly felt stressed about getting even 1A*! So I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. In fact we had the internally assessed assessments too - the practical elements which were very ambiguous with regards to marking and whilst I could get 100% in an exam I was struggling in those papers because I had no idea what they actually were looking for. That caused me a lot of stress like yourself. But I don't know it all worked out in the end and honestly it seems like you very much are on track! So keep doing what you are doing and use your drive to keep yourself working hard.

Equally Uni workload is something you just learn to cope with

Biology, Chemistry, Maths, History and a politics EPQ

I study Medicine now

EPQ isn't a real A level. It's only Equiv to an AS.

yes - although one was an EPQ so technically 4 and a half

Yes - I was aware I should have put a small a* for the final letter after I posted. That is a fair point and I should have been more careful.

yes yes I have highlighted my awareness of this point (see below). Thank you for your kind reminder.

It’s annoying because the exams have pretty fixed marking schemes whereas the projects I have to do don’t, since people do different things and I just don’t know exactly what they’re looking for and opinions could differ on what’s good. I’d rather my grade conditions were A1, B, B since as I said I’m looking at getting 100% or close to it in maths, but A, A ,B means only one of my science projects can go wrong. I just need to remember I’ve always had A1s and aiming higher than the minimum grades makes them seem much more achievable. Besides at least I’m allowed 1 B. Just need to try and forget that an Oxford place is at stake and tell myself I want to do it for my own personal achievement to maintain my perfect exam certificate. It reassures me that you felt similar and still managed to ace the exams. Thanks.

as modular A Levels are easier to obtain higher grades for most exam boards

Not really true but go off.

Statistically, it is. Same with modular GCSEs. Yes the grade boundaries are altered to accommodate this, however not particularly drastically.