Self-teaching my A-levels

I am not enjoying my time at sixth form and am trying to find out about teaching myself for my A-levels.

I understand that I would have to pay to be entered into exams but how do I go about signing up for this?

Am I no longer legally considered to be in education, i.e. will I need to get a job on top of my A-levels as my parents will no longer receive support for me? I'm no expert on all of the legal stuff

Am I correct in thinking that these £300+ distance learning courses are not necessary? Can I just get some textbooks and study using those?

If it helps I think I would like to study Philosophy, Religious Studies and Sociology though I am not completely certain about Sociology yet. Any information on the topic of A-level self education would be greatly appreciated

Reply 1

Compost

Original post by disinhibited

I am not enjoying my time at sixth form and am trying to find out about teaching myself for my A-levels.

I understand that I would have to pay to be entered into exams but how do I go about signing up for this?

Am I no longer legally considered to be in education, i.e. will I need to get a job on top of my A-levels as my parents will no longer receive support for me? I'm no expert on all of the legal stuff

Am I correct in thinking that these £300+ distance learning courses are not necessary? Can I just get some textbooks and study using those?

1. There is advice on the different exam board websites (and also on TSR) but ultimately you have to ring round centres asking if they would accept you as a private candidate. The entry deadline at the exam board for the summer is 21 February but you need find a centre a fair while in advance of this. Anything under £40 an exam unit will be a bargain.
2. Not my specialist area. What sort of support do they currently get?
3. Many people don't find distance learning courses very helpful. You mgith be better off teaching yourself and then spending the £300 on a tutor to hone your technique at the end.

The subjects you pick are all good in that they have no coursework. This makes things considerably easier.

You need to consider the timing of all this as A level specifications are on the point of changing. Sociology starts a new spec in Sepetmber and you would need to finish the A level in this by Summer 2016. You probably have an extra year for the other 2.

Reply 2

disinhibited

Original post by Compost

Thank you very much

Should I be signing up for this year's summer exams given that I don't have the whole year to prepare for them?

Child benefit and child tax credit, about £45 a week

So distance learning courses are not necessary nor particularly advisable, thank you.

Do you mean I would need to finish Sociology by Summer 2016 working by the current spec rather than the new one they are going to introduce?

Reply 3

SloaneRanger

Original post by disinhibited

I am not enjoying my time at sixth form and am trying to find out about teaching myself for my A-levels.

I understand that I would have to pay to be entered into exams but how do I go about signing up for this?

Am I no longer legally considered to be in education, i.e. will I need to get a job on top of my A-levels as my parents will no longer receive support for me? I'm no expert on all of the legal stuff

Am I correct in thinking that these £300+ distance learning courses are not necessary? Can I just get some textbooks and study using those?

I got an A in History A-level without any distance learning course etc. Im 27, just got the syllabus, bought the required texts, self taught the 3 exam units. For the coursework unit, I just went to crammer to do it. The syllabus has the required books and you can easily order them off amazon. Plenty of past papers online and information on TSR such as notes, I picked units that were relatively straight forward like Henry VIII and Germany and United States 1918-1954. Managed to do it in 5 months, you just have to be committed and know what the learning outcomes and objectives are. I consider myself far from academic, also Youtube, was really helpful and saved so much time in learning things. Podcasts, you name it the information is out there.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 4

Compost

Original post by disinhibited

Should I be signing up for this year's summer exams given that I don't have the whole year to prepare for them?

Child benefit and child tax credit, about £45 a week

So distance learning courses are not necessary nor particularly advisable, thank you.

Do you mean I would need to finish Sociology by Summer 2016 working by the current spec rather than the new one they are going to introduce?

1. I don't know you circumstances but it might be an idea to try and take Sociology AS as this is the last formal chance to take it (there will be a re-sit chance next year which you would otherwise have to take as your only chance).
2. Yes, i think you'd lose both but i'm not an expert.
3. Some of them appear to be useless, but they do work for some people, if only because they keep you motivated. Many of them only support you for (say) 14 months so make sure you time them right.

Yes, you either have to finish Sociology by Summer 2016 or try and do the new spec. For the new spec, all of the exams for the A level will have to be taken the same summer.