I'm still in high school and I want to take 5 subjects at AS level and possibly through to A-level. I just wanted to know your views and how you found them?
Thanks
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brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 09:12
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- 18-10-2015 09:31
I did 5 AS although one was critical thinking so doesn't really count - I took the other four essay based subjects through to A2. I managed fine but it meant I had less free periods than my friends who only took 3 at A2.
What subjects are you considering? -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 10:46
(Original post by skjdhewj)
I do 5 at the moment, it's not too bad.. However I do Maths and Fmaths which i think would be an easier combo than 5 completely separate subjects? It's do-able i think though either way. -
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- 18-10-2015 10:47
(Original post by AmyPilot)
I did 5 AS although one was critical thinking so doesn't really count - I took the other four essay based subjects through to A2. I managed fine but it meant I had less free periods than my friends who only took 3 at A2.
What subjects are you considering? -
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- 18-10-2015 10:58
If you are a student that aims for the top grade(A*) with a number of subjects yes but if any lower no. 5 a-levels is a lot more than you think it is and with the new a-levels some subjects you'll have to remember two years worth of work which is equivalent to 4/5 years worth of GCSE work in one summer
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- 18-10-2015 11:00
(Original post by brainzistheword)
I'm still in high school and I want to take 5 subjects at AS level and possibly through to A-level. I just wanted to know your views and how you found them?
Thanks
Employers and universities will only expect 3 A-levels. You'd be better off focusing on 3 and doing them well instead of being average at 5. -
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- 18-10-2015 11:02
When applying to top universities, they look at the grades you get and do not have a preference for people with 5 AS Levels as opposed to 4.
For example, A*A*A*A is better than AAAAB.
Please remember that the A-Levels are not as easy as they were even one year ago. It used to be that after AS exams you could forget that year and focus on A2s. Now, you have to remember everything from 2 years. Bare in mind that the people that did 5 AS who are posting above did them on the old, easier system. -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:05
(Original post by Will98765)
If you are a student that aims for the top grade(A*) with a number of subjects yes but if any lower no. 5 a-levels is a lot more than you think it is and with the new a-levels some subjects you'll have to remember two years worth of work which is equivalent to 4/5 years worth of GCSE work in one summer -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:07
(Original post by celloel)
When applying to top universities, they look at the grades you get and do not have a preference for people with 5 AS Levels as opposed to 4.
For example, A*A*A*A is better than AAAAB.
Please remember that the A-Levels are not as easy as they were even one year ago. It used to be that after AS exams you could forget that year and focus on A2s. Now, you have to remember everything from 2 years. Bare in mind that the people that did 5 AS who are posting above did them on the old, easier system. -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:10
(Original post by Reue)
Imo: pointless.
Employers and universities will only expect 3 A-levels. You'd be better off focusing on 3 and doing them well instead of being average at 5. -
Icicle Man
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- 18-10-2015 11:11
celloel makes a good point. 3 or 4 A levels are understandable but any more than that seems a waste of time and just does more bad than good when it comes to your application to uni.
If you're applying to a very good uni they're likely to make you an offer on your 5 A levels which will most likely be the same as what you'd get if you did 4 + one extra grade - if that makes sense.
So rather than say A*AAA you'd have to get A*AAAA. Of course that only applies to universities that will actually take into consideration how many subjects you do.
I have a friend that went LSE studying 4 but received his offer for 3. I'm at Imperial and applied with 4 and got an offer of 4. I also know that UCL only offer based on 3 and not 4. I think there was one guy who was very unfortunate on here, he applied to Imperial with 5/6 and his offer was based on that - as he ended up not meeting his requirements he ended up not getting the place. His name is "The clockwork apple", seems like a really nice guy, you might want to message him and ask him of his experiences.
Ultimately though, up to you, if you're confident in you're ability then I'd say go for it, it may not help but the wealth of knowledge you gain from studying 5 a levels will no doubt give you such a good understanding of how things work and that's a great feeling. So don't do it unless you're going to do it right -
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- 18-10-2015 11:13
(Original post by brainzistheword)
I agree you have a point, but what if I put in the effort and got top grades in them all, would that still not be considered by employers?Last edited by Will98765; 18-10-2015 at 11:14. -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:17
(Original post by Icicle Man)
celloel makes a good point. 3 or 4 A levels are understandable but any more than that seems a waste of time and just does more bad than good when it comes to your application to uni.
If you're applying to a very good uni they're likely to make you an offer on your 5 A levels which will most likely be the same as what you'd get if you did 4 + one extra grade - if that makes sense.
So rather than say A*AAA you'd have to get A*AAAA. Of course that only applies to universities that will actually take into consideration how many subjects you do.
I have a friend that went LSE studying 4 but received his offer for 3. I'm at Imperial and applied with 4 and got an offer of 4. I also know that UCL only offer based on 3 and not 4. I think there was one guy who was very unfortunate on here, he applied to Imperial with 5/6 and his offer was based on that - as he ended up not meeting his requirements he ended up not getting the place. His name is "The clockwork apple", seems like a really nice guy, you might want to message him and ask him of his experiences.
Ultimately though, up to you, if you're confident in you're ability then I'd say go for it, it may not help but the wealth of knowledge you gain from studying 5 a levels will no doubt give you such a good understanding of how things work and that's a great feeling. So don't do it unless you're going to do it right
I do enjoy a challenge though and I'm predicted all A* at GCSE but whether it will carry through to A level I have no idea. -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:19
(Original post by Will98765)
It won't impress universities or employees. What does impress them is AAA rather than BCDDE for example so if you take 5 a-levels you need to ask yourself if you think you can achieve 5 A/A*s assuming you are a quite academic student -
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- 18-10-2015 11:26
If you're good at maths then take Maths, Further Maths , Physics and two other subjects. Five at AS is easily possible and I know lots of people that do it, however 5 at A2 will be hard as there is an increase in workload and difficulty.
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brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:28
(Original post by MCPC247)
If you're good at maths then take Maths, Further Maths , Physics and two other subjects. Five at AS is easily possible and I know lots of people that do it, however 5 at A2 will be hard as there is an increase in workload and difficulty. -
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- 18-10-2015 11:35
(Original post by brainzistheword)
I would consider myself academic and I'm predicted top marks across the board at the minute. After college I want to go to uni to do Physics. -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:41
(Original post by Will98765)
According to Oxford University you need Maths and Physics to do it at university therefore I'd recommend doing Maths, Further Maths and Physics for AS and A2 level. You're only giving yourself more work to do many more a-levels. One other fact- a grade students at GCSE failing a-levels is an increasingly common issue nowadays, so be very careful. -
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- 18-10-2015 11:45
(Original post by brainzistheword)
I'm still in high school and I want to take 5 subjects at AS level and possibly through to A-level. I just wanted to know your views and how you found them?
Thanks -
brainzistheword
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- 18-10-2015 11:51
(Original post by 13 1 20 8 42)
In Year 12 I was doing four AS levels plus Welsh Bacc; in year 13 I dropped the Welsh Bacc but was doing four A2s plus an AS so basically the workload of 5. I found it fine; admittedly I spent tons of time on my Maths and Further Maths but once I'd learnt all that I had ample time to spare. If you think you can get the grades and are interested in the subjects then there's nothing wrong with it. Just know that it won't give you an advantage with universities (although there are a couple that sometimes give 4 A level offers which might be less strict than the 3 A level ones)
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