advice on whether to do maths a-level

I do not like maths but I'm not awful at it. I got an 8 in my mock (75% at igcse edexcel maths A) and I feel like I can get an low 9 in the real thing at best. I know people say do not do things you do not like at A-level but maths seems to be such a facilitating subject than my current choices (English Lit, History, Politics, Econ) and would be more helpful than say politics for a uni degree in maybe history or hopefully law. I also wanna apply to the US so maths would defo be helpful. advice?

Reply 1

loading username

5

I have heard that maths gets really hard at A level. If you don't like it now and are getting 8s, it will just become harder - one of my friends chose Maths at A level, even if he didn't like it (because his parents forced him to). Although he was alright at GCSE - I think he got an 8 in the finals, he didn't like Maths and ended up getting a B in his A levels, which prevented him from going to his chosen university, even though he wanted to do Law because they wanted 3 As, and he got AAB. So while maths is a facilitating subject, if you would want to do something that doesn't require maths (like history) and don't like maths now, I would personally recommend that you don't take it, based on his experience. However, it is up to you, and if you think that you would be able to put in the work at A level to do a subject you don't like then ....

Reply 2

libbs2i3iewrpjsj

6

DO NOT DO MATHS IF YOU DON'T LIKE. IT'S NOT WORTH IT. DON'T END UP LIKE ME

hope this helps :smile:

Reply 3

plenka

5

Original post by antique-prescrip

I do not like maths but I'm not awful at it. I got an 8 in my mock (75% at igcse edexcel maths A) and I feel like I can get an low 9 in the real thing at best. I know people say do not do things you do not like at A-level but maths seems to be such a facilitating subject than my current choices (English Lit, History, Politics, Econ) and would be more helpful than say politics for a uni degree in maybe history or hopefully law. I also wanna apply to the US so maths would defo be helpful. advice?

I'm not so sure about 2nd year but 1st year maths a level isn't particularly difficult if you are good at GCSE, so you would probably do well. However, I think you should do the subjects you're interested in. Universities (in the UK) won't really care whether or not you did maths if you're applying for something like politics or history, if anything I would recommend Geography instead, but ultimately you will do best if you are passionate about the thing you are pursuing.

Reply 4

antique-prescrip

OP

9

Original post by plenka

I'm not so sure about 2nd year but 1st year maths a level isn't particularly difficult if you are good at GCSE, so you would probably do well. However, I think you should do the subjects you're interested in. Universities (in the UK) won't really care whether or not you did maths if you're applying for something like politics or history, if anything I would recommend Geography instead, but ultimately you will do best if you are passionate about the thing you are pursuing.

I stupidly picked ancient history gcse over geography - would it be advisable to still do a-level geography

Reply 5

plenka

5

Original post by antique-prescrip

I stupidly picked ancient history gcse over geography - would it be advisable to still do a-level geography

You could probably do it if the school lets you. Really its just memorising some case study facts, a few definitions and the essay layouts

Reply 6

revishan

7

Bro maths is the worst icl. My brain hurts from memorising the formulas choosing which technique for integration and differentiation, and calculating the area of some weird ass shaded section in some big ass trapezium but it’s probs cuz I’m dumb, I got like an 8 for gcse maths tho soooo I don’t recommend it but if u willing to properly put in the hard work then ig u can do well.

Reply 7

revishan

7

Original post by libbs2i3iewrpjsj

DO NOT DO MATHS IF YOU DON'T LIKE. IT'S NOT WORTH IT. DON'T END UP LIKE ME
hope this helps :smile:

Same man, I thought I was some geek ass mf who would excel in maths , also peer pressure from my smart ass friends to take maths a levels. Little did I know I’d be on the verge of wanting to jump off a cliff cuz of how much **** I gotta know inside out

Reply 8

libbs2i3iewrpjsj

6

Original post by revishan

Same man, I thought I was some geek ass mf who would excel in maths , also peer pressure from my smart ass friends to take maths a levels. Little did I know I’d be on the verge of wanting to jump off a cliff cuz of how much **** I gotta know inside out