3 A levels and 2 AS levels

My school has the following options:

Take 4 subjects at AS level, and at A level you can either:

Continue on all 4 subjects at A level
OR
Drop 1 AS level subject, and do 3 subjects at A level
OR
Drop 1 AS level subject, and do 3 subjects at A level, and start a new AS level subject. So I end up with 3 A Levels, and 2 AS levels.

Which is the best option to do? Give me your views and expereinces. :smile:

I am thinking of doing the one bolded.

Thanks!

Reply 1

Zerforax

Depends what course and how competitive? surely 4 full A levels will look the most impressive but obviously the most work to be done...

Reply 2

calcium878

Hmmmm.....

XXXX, XXXx or XXXxx?

Certainly either the first or last, but I'd have to say the former as a complete A-level is often seen better than 2 ASs because ASs contain the course's easier material.

Reply 3

henryt

Definitely the first, since 2 AS levels is rarely equivalent to one A2 (only in UCAS points are they equivalent!).

Reply 4

Sephrenia

Im doing the 3rd option, mainl becuase one of my subjects I really cant do all that well, so I would prefer to concentrate on hte ones I can do! Im taking up an AS in Critical Thinking.
I asked Exeter reading about this and got this email back

(3) On the whole we prefer students to offer 3*A2 rather than say 2*A2 + 2*AS.
However having said this we will be happy to make an offer on the latter
combination that is equivalent to our offers on 3*A2: all such cases are
considered individually. The main thing of course is to do well in the
Mathematics A/AS levels.

Reply 5

slyven

I would do 4 A2 if they are some subjects you can cruise to and easy A in. But be careful if you take it for granted. You might slip.

Reply 6

kellywood_5

I took 4 A2s and I think that would be the most impressive option, but only if you love all your subjects and can get good grades in them. Otherwise 3 A-levels and 2 ASs or even just 3 A-levels and an AS is enough for any university.

Reply 7

Zerforax

Yea remember dont take 4 A levels and end up with AABB when you can happily do 3 A levels and get AAA and get into a top uni/course

Reply 8

pingwe

i agree. if you're up for it and you love your subjects..go for four A2s..without a doubt

Reply 9

arsenalfan.

Thanks for all replies. They where very helpful! :smile:

Reply 10

Pippak

I ended up with AAAbc in English Lit, English Lang, History, Critical Thinking and Biology.

When I started the sixth form I wanted to continue with all four (eng, eng, hist and bio) to A2, but hated Biology with such a passion that continuing with it wasn't really an option. Do what you're comfortable with. Continuing with a subject that you find hard might end up dragging down your other grades, as you'll have to concentrate on your weakest subject.

Reply 11

pezz

i did the 3rd option, definitely didnt feel the workload with it, but that maybe due to the fact that it was critical thinking; i donno it'll give you a broader cv

Reply 12

Geminus

I ended up doing the third option due to circumstances beyond my control and ended up with AAAaa.

Doing an extra AS in your second year shouldn't cause you too many problems, but it depends how well you can organise yourself and your time. There were times when I never thought I was going to get everything done (particularly around coursework time when I was working on two different subjects), but it all pulled together in the end.

I guess you just need to ask yourself whether you'd rather concentrate on your three subjects, or broaden your horizons, or keep up all four subjects. Depends upon your opinions of your subjects I guess...but yeah...just something to think about!