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worried about doing science alevels?:/

okay so i do core and additional and want to do chem and bio for a levels however everyone tells me i shouldn't as i didnt to triple and ill be behind and wont do as good, so im asking how far behind will i be? is it going to impact me a lot? and how hard would you rate these sciences? if you do either thanks
(btw i did core and got an A, if thats any relevance)
Original post by DreamerBeliever
okay so i do core and additional and want to do chem and bio for a levels however everyone tells me i shouldn't as i didnt to triple and ill be behind and wont do as good, so im asking how far behind will i be? is it going to impact me a lot? and how hard would you rate these sciences? if you do either thanks
(btw i did core and got an A, if thats any relevance)


Hi there! If you are concerned about whether you'll have the knowledge, then I'd suggest contacting the colleges you've applied to and asking them what they think, as they might suggest you do a little bit of work over your summer to get you on rack. However, I doubt they'll say to do this as they often cover all the basics in the first few weeks.
Original post by brainzistheword
Hi there! If you are concerned about whether you'll have the knowledge, then I'd suggest contacting the colleges you've applied to and asking them what they think, as they might suggest you do a little bit of work over your summer to get you on rack. However, I doubt they'll say to do this as they often cover all the basics in the first few weeks.

okay thank you ,ill ask around and hopefully ill go over the unit 3s just in case
Reply 3
If you really want to do it, go for it! I would recommend getting the CGP 'Head-start to A-Level ...' books, and read / make notes on your A-level textbook over the summer, so you can hit the ground running. Good luck!
Reply 4
I can only speak for chemistry.
I didn't do triple science at gcse and I'm currently doing chemistry (A2)(OCR).
Don't listen to anyone who says you will be behind and won't do as good, as that is not true in my opinion.
I think the there was one small topic that I hadn't covered from GCSE chemistry that I had to learn where as triple science people had already learnt it (moles). Lots of people who do chemistry at A-Level haven't done triple science so don't worry. If you feel confident that chemistry is what you want to study then go for it as the fact you haven't done triple science will have a minor impact if any.
Chemistry has some concepts that can be annoying and hard to learn but once you get your head around them they're pretty straight forward, however this obviously takes time and effort. Obviously A-Level chemistry is going to be quite a step up from GCSE's so just make sure you're prepared to put the work in and you should be fine!
I can't speak for a level physics, but I can for biology and chemistry.
You don't need to do triple science for science at a level, and is very do-able without it. You'll do the triple science topics in AS/A2 from the beginning anyway,so don't worry about it :smile:
Also, I know a few people that done core and additional and they're at the same pace as the triples.
In terms of work and difficulty, I would say the sciences are quite hard in content and questions. Biology is ALOT of remembering, and the questions are heavily application based. Chemistry has a little less to remember, but it's significantly harder, more maths based and problem solving (I hate the Arrhenius equation!).
It's up to you, but I would advise doing them :smile:
Original post by DreamerBeliever
okay so i do core and additional and want to do chem and bio for a levels however everyone tells me i shouldn't as i didnt to triple and ill be behind and wont do as good, so im asking how far behind will i be? is it going to impact me a lot? and how hard would you rate these sciences? if you do either thanks
(btw i did core and got an A, if thats any relevance)


Hi,
I am currently doing A level Bio and Chem.

I did Triple at GCSE but I personally do not think there was a huge difference between me and my friends who did Additional at GCSE, who are also doing science A level. Plus, you kind of have less stress to learn some of the content, so that is a bonus!

Also, if you wanted to, you could go kind of read a bit of the triple content over the summer if you wanted to see what you were not taught but even if you don't that is fine because I think at the start of year 12 they doing bridging things to make sure everyone has the same foundation.

However, from my experience and my friends, there really is not a huge difference between Triple and Additional so it it wont prevent you from doing what you can at A level. Speak to your science teachers and see their recommendations as well. Science A levels are hard, there is no doubt about that but don't let the fact that you doing Additional stop you from doing it. Do it if you have a passion for the subject.

Hope I helped you!
Original post by H5gs8g
You won't be behind if you didn't do triple. In fact not doing triple will probably increase your chances in being able to do the A Levels as i failed my Physics triple science and even though i didn't fail my core or additional - i wasn't allowed to take it at A Level. I would rate these sciences as pretty hard. This is because there's just a lot of content but all A Levels are a big jump from GCSE. I would recommend you get a tutor for Biology and Chemistry A Level at the start of year 12 so you never fall behind. But they're not impossible to do. You'll just have to work super super hard and you'll get there eventually. :smile:

thanks thast helped. i have a tutor but ill try get a specialist one. this has given me confidence and yes i plan to work very hard :smile:
Original post by AaronC88
I can only speak for chemistry.
I didn't do triple science at gcse and I'm currently doing chemistry (A2)(OCR).
Don't listen to anyone who says you will be behind and won't do as good, as that is not true in my opinion.
I think the there was one small topic that I hadn't covered from GCSE chemistry that I had to learn where as triple science people had already learnt it (moles). Lots of people who do chemistry at A-Level haven't done triple science so don't worry. If you feel confident that chemistry is what you want to study then go for it as the fact you haven't done triple science will have a minor impact if any.
Chemistry has some concepts that can be annoying and hard to learn but once you get your head around them they're pretty straight forward, however this obviously takes time and effort. Obviously A-Level chemistry is going to be quite a step up from GCSE's so just make sure you're prepared to put the work in and you should be fine!

okay thanks i will work hard, believe it or not its a chem teachers thats mocked people who dont do triple :/ lol
Original post by Ghargr18
If you really want to do it, go for it! I would recommend getting the CGP 'Head-start to A-Level ...' books, and read / make notes on your A-level textbook over the summer, so you can hit the ground running. Good luck!

thanks for the advice, i will try to buy one
Original post by iLukeAi
I can't speak for a level physics, but I can for biology and chemistry.
You don't need to do triple science for science at a level, and is very do-able without it. You'll do the triple science topics in AS/A2 from the beginning anyway,so don't worry about it :smile:
Also, I know a few people that done core and additional and they're at the same pace as the triples.
In terms of work and difficulty, I would say the sciences are quite hard in content and questions. Biology is ALOT of remembering, and the questions are heavily application based. Chemistry has a little less to remember, but it's significantly harder, more maths based and problem solving (I hate the Arrhenius equation!).
It's up to you, but I would advise doing them :smile:

i only plan to do chem and bio :smile: yeah ive heard a lot about the content of biology , sounds crazy. i struggle with maths at times , how hard would you say it is? i hope to do them as i enjoy sciences :biggrin:
Original post by Rubydiamond3131
Hi,
I am currently doing A level Bio and Chem.

I did Triple at GCSE but I personally do not think there was a huge difference between me and my friends who did Additional at GCSE, who are also doing science A level. Plus, you kind of have less stress to learn some of the content, so that is a bonus!

Also, if you wanted to, you could go kind of read a bit of the triple content over the summer if you wanted to see what you were not taught but even if you don't that is fine because I think at the start of year 12 they doing bridging things to make sure everyone has the same foundation.

However, from my experience and my friends, there really is not a huge difference between Triple and Additional so it it wont prevent you from doing what you can at A level. Speak to your science teachers and see their recommendations as well. Science A levels are hard, there is no doubt about that but don't let the fact that you doing Additional stop you from doing it. Do it if you have a passion for the subject.

Hope I helped you!

Hello :smile: thats very true (great bonus:biggrin:). hopeful i will go over triple during the summer. thank you:smile: very helpful
Original post by DreamerBeliever
i only plan to do chem and bio :smile: yeah ive heard a lot about the content of biology , sounds crazy. i struggle with maths at times , how hard would you say it is? i hope to do them as i enjoy sciences :biggrin:


For biology the maths is mainly percentages with a few statistics equations and other equations, but it's relatively easy to understand.
The maths in chemistry is more problem solving and logic above all, and that's what makes it harder, but EVERYONE finds it hard when they first do the questions but you get used to it with practice.
Hope this helps:smile:
Original post by iLukeAi
For biology the maths is mainly percentages with a few statistics equations and other equations, but it's relatively easy to understand.
The maths in chemistry is more problem solving and logic above all, and that's what makes it harder, but EVERYONE finds it hard when they first do the questions but you get used to it with practice.
Hope this helps:smile:

thank you very much, this has reassured me
Original post by DreamerBeliever
okay so i do core and additional and want to do chem and bio for a levels however everyone tells me i shouldn't as i didnt to triple and ill be behind and wont do as good, so im asking how far behind will i be? is it going to impact me a lot? and how hard would you rate these sciences? if you do either thanks
(btw i did core and got an A, if thats any relevance)


Hey
Majority of my chem/bio classes have not done triple at gcse, and no one really struggled because of it, the content is nearly entirely different from GCSE, I don't even remember half of it tbh.
If you happen to take these sciences then my top tip would be to not let your free lessons go to waste- use them to revise. You'd be surprised how much more work you can get done in an hour at school compared to an hour at home.
Also keep on top of the content! Especially biology! There's a lot to take in and if you want to remember it, you'll have to keep going over topics after you've finished learning them. Especially near towards the end of AS, I think the last section is the hardest.

Good luck
Original post by DreamerBeliever
okay so i do core and additional and want to do chem and bio for a levels however everyone tells me i shouldn't as i didnt to triple and ill be behind and wont do as good, so im asking how far behind will i be? is it going to impact me a lot? and how hard would you rate these sciences? if you do either thanks
(btw i did core and got an A, if thats any relevance)


Can't speak for chemistry, but with biology you won't be behind if you didn't do triple sciences. I didn't do triple and I haven't struggled/been behind with any concepts. Biology is really interesting but there is a lot of content to revise and a lot to memorise. A good idea would be getting the CGP revision guide early as it really helps to simplify the content that the main biology books struggle to do. I also emphasise lots of past paper questions. I admit I struggled with biology in AS due to lack of exam technique/past paper practice but now I'm revising the content and practicing questions alongside it and my grades are jumping up (As/Bs in end of unit tests all year, compared to when I got an E in my AS')
You have to be motivated but it's worth it if you're interested in it :smile:
Original post by tamanna___
Hey
Majority of my chem/bio classes have not done triple at gcse, and no one really struggled because of it, the content is nearly entirely different from GCSE, I don't even remember half of it tbh.
If you happen to take these sciences then my top tip would be to not let your free lessons go to waste- use them to revise. You'd be surprised how much more work you can get done in an hour at school compared to an hour at home.
Also keep on top of the content! Especially biology! There's a lot to take in and if you want to remember it, you'll have to keep going over topics after you've finished learning them. Especially near towards the end of AS, I think the last section is the hardest.

Good luck


thank you very much , im near certain i will take them. i will try take your advice. its good that its all new info :biggrin: what ways do you revise sciences? yeass :smile: ive heard bio is crazy with the amount of content it has :frown:
goodluck to you too and all the best
Original post by fayeb1999
Can't speak for chemistry, but with biology you won't be behind if you didn't do triple sciences. I didn't do triple and I haven't struggled/been behind with any concepts. Biology is really interesting but there is a lot of content to revise and a lot to memorise. A good idea would be getting the CGP revision guide early as it really helps to simplify the content that the main biology books struggle to do. I also emphasise lots of past paper questions. I admit I struggled with biology in AS due to lack of exam technique/past paper practice but now I'm revising the content and practicing questions alongside it and my grades are jumping up (As/Bs in end of unit tests all year, compared to when I got an E in my AS':wink:
You have to be motivated but it's worth it if you're interested in it :smile:

thats comforting, i plan to get one and for chem ill probably use my sisters cgp book :smile: thats really good , amazing improvements! :smile: hopefully , i find bio very interesting so i hope ill enjoy it in the future
Original post by DreamerBeliever
thank you very much , im near certain i will take them. i will try take your advice. its good that its all new info :biggrin: what ways do you revise sciences? yeass :smile: ive heard bio is crazy with the amount of content it has :frown:
goodluck to you too and all the best


For sciences, I read over the content using websites, watch videos and complete pastpaper questions. Nothing too different :biggrin:
Another thing about biology, when you've finished learning a topic, keep your mind open, rather than storing the information away. In biology every single topic links with one another and in order to do good you will have to be able to apply topics within other topics. (Quite complicated to explain but you'll see what I mean when your studying it:colondollar:)

Good luck to you, and it's great your probably going to take them, they're great A levels, and they're both really interesting :biggrin:
Original post by tamanna___
For sciences, I read over the content using websites, watch videos and complete pastpaper questions. Nothing too different :biggrin:
Another thing about biology, when you've finished learning a topic, keep your mind open, rather than storing the information away. In biology every single topic links with one another and in order to do good you will have to be able to apply topics within other topics. (Quite complicated to explain but you'll see what I mean when your studying it:colondollar:)

Good luck to you, and it's great your probably going to take them, they're great A levels, and they're both really interesting :biggrin:

yeah dont worry i understand :biggrin: and nice revision technique
thank you and hopefully they will be

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