How hard to get 4 A*&#x27;s at A-level ?

OP

Original post by H.C. Chinaski

you won't be getting any A*'s at AS level

It is an impossibility and he didn't.

sorry, my mistake lol i was refering to a-levels as a whole and my cousin did get 3A*'s overall after 2years

Reply 21

s_axo

Original post by JOR2010

On subjective subjects, such as History, Politics, Philosophy, and Law, it is very difficult, since there's no correct/incorrect answer, and so to demonstrate A* ability is difficult, even if you are talented.

I've found by doing mostly essay based subjects that you have to write 'pedestrian' essays to get top marks by literally hitting the assessment objectives every time. Nothing less. Nothing more. Once you work out the formula to do that, you can score very highly :smile:

Reply 22

Medifield

11

If it was a walk in the park, then everyone would be getting them.

Reply 23

Cariie

10

Original post by Schoolio93

it does! No one in my college has less than 4 A-levels. Unis like it when you have more than 3 coz it shows that you've got potential to cope with the workload that you experience during your time at uni.

Funny that, I was told on an Oxford open day, and in interview, that they wanted applicants to stick to 3 A-levels and just do well in those . . . Guess some uni's view things differently? :wink:

Anyhoo, sure you can get 4 A*'s a A-level OP, but it is harder in subjective A-levels like the ones you've listed. And you probably wont have much of a social life. Just don't feel pressured into doing 4 to A-levels, 4 ASs and 3 A-levels is plenty :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 24

OP

Original post by soutioirsim

It's not wishy washy, that's the right answer.

of course it is, if i do the best i can i could be revising around 10hours a day every day for two years which is totally unnecessary, if you look at one of my questions I was asking how much work is necessary daily to achieve these grades, so i think it is wishy washy

Reply 25

JOR2010

14

Original post by s_axo

I've found by doing mostly essay based subjects that you have to write 'pedestrian' essays to get top marks by literally hitting the assessment objectives every time. Nothing less. Nothing more. Once you work out the formula to do that, you can score very highly :smile:

It is sad, but true.

Reply 26

s_axo

Original post by JOR2010

It is sad, but true.

I know

Think you have to leave your creativity out of the door for this one.

Reply 27

OP

thanks a lot for everybody's input, although some not relevant or productive.

Reply 28

JOR2010

14

Original post by s_axo

I know

Think you have to leave your creativity out of the door for this one.

You can't really show your talent, as such.

Reply 29

s_axo

Original post by JOR2010

You can't really show your talent, as such.

Yes. I think it's quite limited in what you can write and how you can show it. But hey, marks are marks aye.

Reply 30

sprazcrumbler

It's easy with science and maths subjects where you just have to learn the material really well. In the arts and humanities there is more variation and people can have good and bad exams, so be careful about that

Reply 31

OP

Original post by sprazcrumbler

It's easy with science and maths subjects where you just have to learn the material really well. In the arts and humanities there is more variation and people can have good and bad exams, so be careful about that

kool thanks for advice

Reply 32

Member737,514

10

How does Economics compare to subjects like Maths and the Sciences, in terms of how *easy* it is to obtain an A*?

Reply 33

cooldudeman

18

Original post by h_a_95

Personally im am still deciding between career paths so an experience of an extra subject could be pivotal in what career path I choose to go down, tbh im not too worried whether universities care if i have 3/4 im just picking 4 subjects i like you never know what you might be missing out on, and im not to worried about the workload i think its manageable, and i dont want to be normal :s-smilie:

dude all im saying is just to do 4 AS levels, then drop one after the first year (by the you should know what you want to do in your life), then do 3 A-Levels.
i didn't say to do 3 AS then 3 A2s.

it is just the best thing to do because if you start dropping in one subject, then you are going to try your best to catch up and do well in, but then you may drop in your other subjects. then you're ****ed. this is only the case for 4 A2s. not AS levels. AS is not too hard.

Reply 34

Jampolo

13

Original post by Schoolio93

it does! No one in my college has less than 4 A-levels. Unis like it when you have more than 3 coz it shows that you've got potential to cope with the workload that you experience during your time at uni.

No, my Oxbridge co-ordinator at school has warned us about doing 4 a levels, because when applying to Cambridge, all it means is an offer with 4 a levels, whereas you make it easier for yourself with 3, and still end up in the same place.

Reply 35

Schoolio93

9

Original post by Jampolo

No, my Oxbridge co-ordinator at school has warned us about doing 4 a levels, because when applying to Cambridge, all it means is an offer with 4 a levels, whereas you make it easier for yourself with 3, and still end up in the same place.

lol is that why I applied with 4 Alevels but ended up with an A*AA offer?

Reply 36

Jampolo

13

Original post by Schoolio93

lol is that why I applied with 4 Alevels but ended up with an A*AA offer?

ooft. Generalising for one case are we sir?

Reply 37

musi_1993

5

Original post by Jampolo

ooft. Generalising for one case are we sir?

my ex girlfriend done 4 A-levels but her offer was A*AA too. But yeah we can't really generalize.

Reply 38

Extricated

17

Original post by Jampolo

ooft. Generalising for one case are we sir?

if he proved it for n+1 then we can assume it to be true for all n by induction

Reply 39

USer878035