A-Level Prep
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hanna778
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#1
I'm currently in Year 11 and I'm going to start sixth form (hopefully) in September. I have picked Business Studies, Computer Science and Media Studies. I did IT, business and computer science at GCSE level which is why I picked these, and I picked media studies at A Level because I wasn't sure what else to pick.
I would appreciate advice on what to study in order to get a head-start on my A-Levels. Also, if anyone has any opinions on these courses, please share
I would appreciate advice on what to study in order to get a head-start on my A-Levels. Also, if anyone has any opinions on these courses, please share

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amwalsh_
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#2
Hey, im taking Maths, Computer Science, Politics and EPQ in september. Im currently messing about with pygame, selenium and some other python libraries to keep programming skills up for Comp Sci. Also, (if you have the tools/budget) you could try building and disassembling a few computers. I'm lucky to have a fair few old parts in the garage, so i do occasionally experiment with them. Maths isnt that relevant for you, but i've bought the CGP AS book off Amazon to get ahead on y12 lessons.
I took business at GCSE (Edexcel) and it didn't seem too difficult, so you could probably revise the gcse content relatively easily and perhaps work through some AS tasks in AS books. Didn't take media so not much of a clue there.
(tl;dr just mess about in whatever programming language you'll use for A Level Computing and expand your knowledge in that. Maybe build some PCs if you can (if not binge watch linus tech tips...), the rest id reccomend buying AS revision guides and trying to self study the first few modules)
I took business at GCSE (Edexcel) and it didn't seem too difficult, so you could probably revise the gcse content relatively easily and perhaps work through some AS tasks in AS books. Didn't take media so not much of a clue there.
(tl;dr just mess about in whatever programming language you'll use for A Level Computing and expand your knowledge in that. Maybe build some PCs if you can (if not binge watch linus tech tips...), the rest id reccomend buying AS revision guides and trying to self study the first few modules)
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tinfoilhat
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#3
(Original post by hanna778)
I'm currently in Year 11 and I'm going to start sixth form (hopefully) in September. I have picked Business Studies, Computer Science and Media Studies. I did IT, business and computer science at GCSE level which is why I picked these, and I picked media studies at A Level because I wasn't sure what else to pick.
I would appreciate advice on what to study in order to get a head-start on my A-Levels. Also, if anyone has any opinions on these courses, please share
I'm currently in Year 11 and I'm going to start sixth form (hopefully) in September. I have picked Business Studies, Computer Science and Media Studies. I did IT, business and computer science at GCSE level which is why I picked these, and I picked media studies at A Level because I wasn't sure what else to pick.
I would appreciate advice on what to study in order to get a head-start on my A-Levels. Also, if anyone has any opinions on these courses, please share

If you need any more help/advice, I run a free online tutoring company - just type up 'OnlyPhysics' into Google.

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josie71202
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hanna778
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#5
(Original post by josie71202)
I do WJEC media studies so feel free to ask me anything
I do WJEC media studies so feel free to ask me anything
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hanna778
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#6
(Original post by amwalsh_)
Hey, im taking Maths, Computer Science, Politics and EPQ in september. Im currently messing about with pygame, selenium and some other python libraries to keep programming skills up for Comp Sci. Also, (if you have the tools/budget) you could try building and disassembling a few computers. I'm lucky to have a fair few old parts in the garage, so i do occasionally experiment with them. Maths isnt that relevant for you, but i've bought the CGP AS book off Amazon to get ahead on y12 lessons.
I took business at GCSE (Edexcel) and it didn't seem too difficult, so you could probably revise the gcse content relatively easily and perhaps work through some AS tasks in AS books. Didn't take media so not much of a clue there.
(tl;dr just mess about in whatever programming language you'll use for A Level Computing and expand your knowledge in that. Maybe build some PCs if you can (if not binge watch linus tech tips...), the rest id reccomend buying AS revision guides and trying to self study the first few modules)
Hey, im taking Maths, Computer Science, Politics and EPQ in september. Im currently messing about with pygame, selenium and some other python libraries to keep programming skills up for Comp Sci. Also, (if you have the tools/budget) you could try building and disassembling a few computers. I'm lucky to have a fair few old parts in the garage, so i do occasionally experiment with them. Maths isnt that relevant for you, but i've bought the CGP AS book off Amazon to get ahead on y12 lessons.
I took business at GCSE (Edexcel) and it didn't seem too difficult, so you could probably revise the gcse content relatively easily and perhaps work through some AS tasks in AS books. Didn't take media so not much of a clue there.
(tl;dr just mess about in whatever programming language you'll use for A Level Computing and expand your knowledge in that. Maybe build some PCs if you can (if not binge watch linus tech tips...), the rest id reccomend buying AS revision guides and trying to self study the first few modules)

I also took Edexcel Business at GCSE and didn't find it too difficult either, as long as you stay on top of the work. Hopefully A Level will be the same.
Did you take Computer Science at GCSE by any chance? I did, and I'm quite nervous to find out my grade in August!
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hanna778
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#7
(Original post by tinfoilhat)
I would follow amwalsh_'s advice. Just focus on learning the AS content ahead of time, but don't sweat it too much. You are, after all, going to learn the content again anyways. Keep sharpening your programming skills and you will be fine.
If you need any more help/advice, I run a free online tutoring company - just type up 'OnlyPhysics' into Google.
I would follow amwalsh_'s advice. Just focus on learning the AS content ahead of time, but don't sweat it too much. You are, after all, going to learn the content again anyways. Keep sharpening your programming skills and you will be fine.
If you need any more help/advice, I run a free online tutoring company - just type up 'OnlyPhysics' into Google.


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amwalsh_
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#8
(Original post by hanna778)
Thank you for your suggestions
Unfortunately I don't have any computer parts to experiment with, but I will take a look at a few programming sites and some videos. I think I will be using C# in sixth form, is that the case for you also?
I also took Edexcel Business at GCSE and didn't find it too difficult either, as long as you stay on top of the work. Hopefully A Level will be the same.
Did you take Computer Science at GCSE by any chance? I did, and I'm quite nervous to find out my grade in August!
Thank you for your suggestions

I also took Edexcel Business at GCSE and didn't find it too difficult either, as long as you stay on top of the work. Hopefully A Level will be the same.
Did you take Computer Science at GCSE by any chance? I did, and I'm quite nervous to find out my grade in August!
yeah, I think everyone has one or two grades they're scared for. for me it's chemistry, so I'm glad I'm not taking it at A, and we can always retake in november.
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josie71202
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#9
(Original post by hanna778)
What kind of things do you learn? I'm not entirely sure which exam board my sixth form will be following, but I know there will be a mix of coursework and exams. Is the work quite full on?
What kind of things do you learn? I'm not entirely sure which exam board my sixth form will be following, but I know there will be a mix of coursework and exams. Is the work quite full on?
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hanna778
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#10
(Original post by amwalsh_)
Yeah fair enough if you don't have any gear. might interest you to watch Linus Tech Tips on YouTube, Could be interesting for the hardware aspect of CS. Im taking AQA for both GCSE and A Level CS. I expect you're prob the same. I did Python as my language for GCSE, but I'm going to a different sixth where I'll do VB .NET for my a level coursework. Might be worth thinking about what you want to do for Coursework and giving it a go now. I'm predicted an 8 at GCSE so if you want to talk about CS, feel free to PM me.
yeah, I think everyone has one or two grades they're scared for. for me it's chemistry, so I'm glad I'm not taking it at A, and we can always retake in november.
Yeah fair enough if you don't have any gear. might interest you to watch Linus Tech Tips on YouTube, Could be interesting for the hardware aspect of CS. Im taking AQA for both GCSE and A Level CS. I expect you're prob the same. I did Python as my language for GCSE, but I'm going to a different sixth where I'll do VB .NET for my a level coursework. Might be worth thinking about what you want to do for Coursework and giving it a go now. I'm predicted an 8 at GCSE so if you want to talk about CS, feel free to PM me.
yeah, I think everyone has one or two grades they're scared for. for me it's chemistry, so I'm glad I'm not taking it at A, and we can always retake in november.
I was predicted an 8 also, and took two papers in my mocks and got a 7 and an 8 on those. Still anxious though! I think I would be content with at least 5's in everything, considering the circumstances.
One more question, are you planning on retaking any papers in November? I'm not too sure whether people are deciding to retake and revise now, or if they are making that decision after results day. I suppose it depends on their personal judgement regarding how they've performed throughout the year on mocks etc.
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hanna778
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#11
(Original post by josie71202)
we look at various media products and make one. It's busy but if you study you'll be great
we look at various media products and make one. It's busy but if you study you'll be great
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