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What should I do?

I'm planning to be an actuary in the future. My subject choice for a levels is coming very soon and my dad wants a strong answer of what I want. I'm not sure of what I should pick. I have two options. One is what my dad wants me to pick and another one is just my pick. Now I'm confused between the two because I like both of the options.
Option 1: 5 subjects
Maths, Economics, Accounting, Physics, Chemistry

Option 2: 4 subjects
Maths, Economics, Accounting, Psychology

My minimum number of subjects is 4 and the maximum is 5. Also, I plan on studying economics (university) before studying actuarial science. Is that good enough, or I should study actuarial science from the beginning? I'm genuinely very confused and I need help, asap.

Reply 1

If your this unsure about your alevels there is no point in you taking 5. If u are looking at more competitive universities for finance then you may consider fm. Sciences arent needed to study econ.

Reply 2

Original post by DeviousFrog
If your this unsure about your alevels there is no point in you taking 5. If u are looking at more competitive universities for finance then you may consider fm. Sciences arent needed to study econ.


Thank you so much for answering my question 😊. Well, I'm giving my Alevels through my school and they have a very limited amount of subjects (they mostly have science subjects), so it does make me hesitate a bit. On the other hand, my dad thinks that I can easily cover 5 subjects because in his eyes I'm a very talented student (I'm not 😅).

I'm currently thinking of taking the second option, because psychology looks interesting to me; plus I've noticed that the syllabus covers a lot of economic situations (consumer demand).

Am I making the right choice thinking about picking the second option?
5 would be a complete waste of time and would likely harm your chances of getting decent grades.

Reply 4

Original post by Admit-One
5 would be a complete waste of time and would likely harm your chances of getting decent grades.


Agreeing with you tbh

Reply 5

Original post by Osamu_Dazai122
Thank you so much for answering my question 😊. Well, I'm giving my Alevels through my school and they have a very limited amount of subjects (they mostly have science subjects), so it does make me hesitate a bit. On the other hand, my dad thinks that I can easily cover 5 subjects because in his eyes I'm a very talented student (I'm not 😅).
I'm currently thinking of taking the second option, because psychology looks interesting to me; plus I've noticed that the syllabus covers a lot of economic situations (consumer demand).
Am I making the right choice thinking about picking the second option?

Are you in a private school? Why cant you take 3? Less than 0.1% of people in the entire country took 5 or more. Getting 4A*s is the peak but 5 is unnescessary and a waste of time. A levels are a massive step up and if you dont think ur that talented u should be taking 3 tbh. 4 alevels is still pretty difficult.
I'd also note that the majority of people doing 4 are taking Maths in lower 6th and Further Maths in higher. They're not all sitting 4 lots of exams in upper.

It's a lot.

Reply 7

Original post by DeviousFrog
Are you in a private school? Why cant you take 3? Less than 0.1% of people in the entire country took 5 or more. Getting 4A*s is the peak but 5 is unnescessary and a waste of time. A levels are a massive step up and if you dont think ur that talented u should be taking 3 tbh. 4 alevels is still pretty difficult.


Yep, I'm in a private school, I don't want to take only three, it's just my personal preference. I feel like I'd be open to more knowledge if I take 4 subjects instead of three, plus taking 4 subjects in our country is very normal, it's really not a big deal. I won't take 5 but I'll take 4 even though I know it has it's risks but I'm willing to do it for the sake of my future.

Reply 8

Original post by Admit-One
I'd also note that the majority of people doing 4 are taking Maths in lower 6th and Further Maths in higher. They're not all sitting 4 lots of exams in upper.
It's a lot.


Thank you, you just reminded me of something very important. Aside from statistics, what maths will help me in actuarial science or economics?
Original post by Osamu_Dazai122
Thank you, you just reminded me of something very important. Aside from statistics, what maths will help me in actuarial science or economics?


Not something that I can help with but a good question to ask on open days, (or just contact academic depts running courses that you are considering).

Reply 10

Original post by Admit-One
Not something that I can help with but a good question to ask on open days, (or just contact academic depts running courses that you are considering).


Oh. Okay! Thank you so much!

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