hardest a-level

What do you think you will do at uni?

Lucky you. All the sixth forms I'm applying to don't have an AS option. And I feel like people in my year around the country will be more likely to do 4 A levels now because of the reforms so I don't want to be at a disadvantage by only picking 3.I'm thinking about doing medicine but it is honestly such a long route so I'm not sure. It's a shame you have a terrible teacher, the spec looks so interesting but really tough if not taught well.

Reply 201

jimjambles

2

Like some other people have said, it's definitely subjective. Some things are a doozy for some people and absolute hell for others.

But I'd always say language A-levels are absurdly challenging. You just have to cover so many bases - not only do you need the knowledge & analytical skills to write what's essentially an English literature essay (alongside a translation & another essay), you need to do it in a different language and make sure your grammar & lexis in that language are up to scratch the whole time! With a 15 minute speaking exam on top of that, no less. It's hell hahah.

Reply 202

Lewis5

4

i take:
Biology (A at GCSE)
Chemistry (B at GCSE)
physics (B at GCSE)
psychology (C at GCSE)

personally i find biology really easy because i love it and its all i want to do and i find psychology easy because i just see it as an easy subject but chemistry and physics at A level are so much harder than GCSE and in physics i haven't even got a grade in a progress test yet half way through AS so in my opinion physics is the hardest A-level. like at the moment i would rather be water boarded every day than attend a physics lesson because i hate it because i cant do it at all lol :P

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 203

rxns_00

15

Original post by chloe.lwt

100% for an A or A*, that's why it's tough

Raw marks to UMS conversions are scaled so that all the grades obtained by all candidates follow a normal distribution. Meaning that high grade boundaries show that a load of people get very high marks so they have to increase grade boundaries just so they can reduce the number of people getting A*s. So If anything this shows how easy it is to obtain high marks in that subject

Reply 204

Student403

19

Original post by chloe.lwt

100% for an A or A*, that's why it's tough

I just checked the UMS converter and it's not 100% for an A/A*

Reply 205

username2347359

6

I will computing and physics will probably be the easiest for me in a level.
I think the hardest is probably further maths due to the sheet amount of work you need to put IN but if ur a hard worker, nothing is hard.
The exams are designed for humans, if someone can do it, you can do it lol.

Reply 206

username2130115

16

Original post by RonnieRJ

Raw marks to UMS conversions are scaled so that all the grades obtained by all candidates follow a normal distribution. Meaning that high grade boundaries show that a load of people get very high marks so they have to increase grade boundaries just so they can reduce the number of people getting A*s. So If anything this shows how easy it is to obtain high marks in that subject

you sure the grades follow a normal distribution? i heard that 50% of people doing further maths get an A/A*. i thought if grades followed a normal distribution the grades would be distributed like IQ scores, e.g. 2% get an IQ score of 130 or higher.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 207

Student403

19

I think if they followed a normal distribution it would be very flawed

Because the pool taking FM is so self selective, you'd have the best competing against the very best. Which would be unfair compared to something like Physics where you also have a substantial number of mediocre students

Reply 208

chloe.lwt

OP

1

Original post by RonnieRJ

Raw marks to UMS conversions are scaled so that all the grades obtained by all candidates follow a normal distribution. Meaning that high grade boundaries show that a load of people get very high marks so they have to increase grade boundaries just so they can reduce the number of people getting A*s. So If anything this shows how easy it is to obtain high marks in that subject

Even if it is easy to get high marks, the amount of work needed to get the best grades is huge and will take away time that could be spent learning and revising other subjects. Perhaps from an academic point of view photography isn't hard but it does require more time commitment and persistence than other subjects

Reply 209

username2130115

16

Original post by Student403

I think if they followed a normal distribution it would be very flawed

Because the pool taking FM is so self selective, you'd have the best competing against the very best. Which would be unfair compared to something like Physics where you also have a substantial number of mediocre students

ya you're right it'd be difficult to norm the grades properly. it'd be like trying to norm an IQ test with only a sample of mensa members.

Reply 210

username2130115

16

Original post by chloe.lwt

Even if it is easy to get high marks, the amount of work needed to get the best grades is huge and will take away time that could be spent learning and revising other subjects. Perhaps from an academic point of view photography isn't hard but it does require more time commitment and persistence than other subjects