7 A-Levels
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
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Reply 1
why would you need 7 a-levels?
Reply 2
7 A-levels is unrealistic, and you are only a teenager so shouldn't put a massive burden upon yourself. All universities and apprentiships etc. only require 3, but if you want to show your capability, do 4. Most A-Level students have said the A-levels are completely different to GCSEs, and so much more harder, which is why students are only told to do 3. I am planning to do 3 A-Levels in sixth form, and I am considering to do Arabic A-level separately, which I can hopefully sit in Year 12 to get it out of the way, so I can focus on my 3 A-levels in Yr13.
Reply 3
What are you interested in taking that you’d need 7 a levels?
Unis only give offers based on 3, so even if you did 4 your fourth wouldn’t make the standard offer. Even if you took 7 to ‘have more chances at getting an A’, you’d likely do worse because the workload is immense for 3 alone
I’m guessing you’re interested in the top unis. If you do 7 you will have no time for super curriculars, work experience, admission tests and general enjoyment of life.
Honestly take 4 max. If you REALLY think you could do 4 and an EPQ but that’s really pushing it. 4 gives you enough variety for most subjects in the future. If you really love a subject that much just read about it in your extra time, don’t do another a level on it.
Also coming from someone who got high A*s in 14 GCSEs and Distinction is extra maths last year (welsh equivalent to all 9s), the workload is SO MUCH bigger and the content is overall harder. 7 will not be doable (or possible even allowed).
I’d you’re really interested in doing a variety of subjects maybe look into the IB (different system to the a levels but I think you take like 3 highers and lowers sort it things - don’t quote me on this)
Unis only give offers based on 3, so even if you did 4 your fourth wouldn’t make the standard offer. Even if you took 7 to ‘have more chances at getting an A’, you’d likely do worse because the workload is immense for 3 alone
I’m guessing you’re interested in the top unis. If you do 7 you will have no time for super curriculars, work experience, admission tests and general enjoyment of life.
Honestly take 4 max. If you REALLY think you could do 4 and an EPQ but that’s really pushing it. 4 gives you enough variety for most subjects in the future. If you really love a subject that much just read about it in your extra time, don’t do another a level on it.
Also coming from someone who got high A*s in 14 GCSEs and Distinction is extra maths last year (welsh equivalent to all 9s), the workload is SO MUCH bigger and the content is overall harder. 7 will not be doable (or possible even allowed).
I’d you’re really interested in doing a variety of subjects maybe look into the IB (different system to the a levels but I think you take like 3 highers and lowers sort it things - don’t quote me on this)
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 4
12
Don't do it, 4 is plenty if you really want to push yourself do an EPQ in addition.
Spend your time doing something that will improve your personal statement, get a job, a hobby, do a research project, volunteer work, your time is going to be wasted on 7 a-levels.
Spend your time doing something that will improve your personal statement, get a job, a hobby, do a research project, volunteer work, your time is going to be wasted on 7 a-levels.
Reply 5
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
Unnecessary. A levels are not like GCSEs. I know people who got straight 7-9s in GCSE and struggle with 3 A levels alone. There is a reason universities only require 3. If you're feeling ambitious, go for 4, but only if you can manage the workload. Doing 7 A levels is not going to help you get into university more easily. Sure it might make you stand out, but as others have said, there are better and more productive ways to spend your time.
Reply 6
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
f*****g hell. i respect you
Reply 7
my advice would be to take 3 or 4 a-levels, and then take extracurriculars related to the other a-levels you wanted to take. it'll look better on your applications, trust me. i was considering taking 5 or 6 myself but it is not gonna impress any unis and will seriously overwork you.
Reply 8
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
As others have said, it is a much better use of time to instead get a part time job, enjoy a hobby or just have fun with friends. There really isn't any advantage in doing more than 4 A Levels, and in terms of job and uni applications it would be more useful to have other things to talk about. And of course simply for your mental health. I had GCSE grades similar to yours and did 4 subjects this year, it was manageable because I don't do a whole lot outside of college, but one more would have been very difficult and two more almost impossible.
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
I'm assuming you're hoping this will help with university admissions. It won't. Universities will only care about your most relevant subjects and it will just use up time that could be better spent elsewhere. Doing 7 A-Levels will show that you're really good at A-Levels, not that you'd be well-suited for a degree, especially considering that you tend to only study one, maybe two, subjects at university. I'm at Cambridge and the most I've seen is 5 and even that was unusual. They care about how good you are at your subject, not that you're fairly good at many subjects.
Reply 10
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
7 A levels is quite unnecessary, even many with all 9s at GCSEs and close to 100% only take 3/4
If you do decide to take 7 A levels good for you, that’s very impressive , but it is quite unrealistic.
Reply 11
Whether it's possible is the wrong question - whether it's worth it or necessary is the better question, and the answer to that is always going to be "now".
Universities don't give you "bonus points" for doing extra A-levels, and having all those extra subjects will remove any time you have available to engage in wider reading or "supercurricular" activities for the course(s) you wish to apply to for uni.
Moreover depending which subjects you plan to do, some you may well be able to explore yourself outside of a formal qualification anyway, if your interest is just intellectual. E.g. studying languages in your free time, reading around different subjects, etc.
Outside of the university and personal intellectual concerns, employers also aren't going to care that you did extra A-levels, and if going straight into work after A-levels you would have been better off spending that time getting work experience (and for graduate employment after university it's totally irrelevant).
There are far better uses for your time than doing extra A-levels.
Universities don't give you "bonus points" for doing extra A-levels, and having all those extra subjects will remove any time you have available to engage in wider reading or "supercurricular" activities for the course(s) you wish to apply to for uni.
Moreover depending which subjects you plan to do, some you may well be able to explore yourself outside of a formal qualification anyway, if your interest is just intellectual. E.g. studying languages in your free time, reading around different subjects, etc.
Outside of the university and personal intellectual concerns, employers also aren't going to care that you did extra A-levels, and if going straight into work after A-levels you would have been better off spending that time getting work experience (and for graduate employment after university it's totally irrelevant).
There are far better uses for your time than doing extra A-levels.
Reply 12
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
lol i respect the ambition icl
everyone here has already said it but i'll also reiterate. not undermining your capabilities, but a-levels are hard. they are not as straightforward as GCSE's nor are they as surface level as what you are taught at GCSE. if you're set on taking more than the standard amount, maybe take 4, but more than that is excessive and you could spend your time gathering work experience and doing extracurriculars (which unis care about more), or even just having free time. if this is due to the desire to apply to oxbridge/med or dent/boost your application, it is not worth it, because even the best unis don't care about the other a-levels other than the core 3.
Reply 13
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
only do 3/4 alevels with lessons, 5 is too much
Reply 14
Original post by Tahani.M
7 A-levels is unrealistic, and you are only a teenager so shouldn't put a massive burden upon yourself. All universities and apprentiships etc. only require 3, but if you want to show your capability, do 4. Most A-Level students have said the A-levels are completely different to GCSEs, and so much more harder, which is why students are only told to do 3. I am planning to do 3 A-Levels in sixth form, and I am considering to do Arabic A-level separately, which I can hopefully sit in Year 12 to get it out of the way, so I can focus on my 3 A-levels in Yr13.
Fully agree with this as I went through GCSE’s with flying colours, first year of A Levels took a huge toll and i stayed back a year to improve and do better. A Levels are a huge step up. It’s completely unnecessary to do 4 A Levels as they only require 3. You’d be better off doing work experience in relation to your degree of choice during A Levels and doing an EPQ, as lots of universities respect these highly.
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
Deffo do not do 7. You would be crazy to attempt 7.
Like has been said- just do either 3 or 4 (possibly start with 4 and drop down to 3. Do the 4th to AS level if your 6th form/college allows that). Then do other stuff outside your studies as well, for example work experience.
Reply 16
15
Original post by ali.ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
there is absolutely no benefit in this and you'd just be destroying your personal life. take 3, or if you do further maths take 4. but even if you think you can manage it (it's pretty much impossible for anyone to manage that) there's no point. don't make a levels your life unnecessarily. i do respect your ambition, but it would be meaningless and you're better of having more spare time to do things you enjoy and do things for your uni application
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 17
Original post by Tahani.M
7 A-levels is unrealistic, and you are only a teenager so shouldn't put a massive burden upon yourself. All universities and apprentiships etc. only require 3, but if you want to show your capability, do 4. Most A-Level students have said the A-levels are completely different to GCSEs, and so much more harder, which is why students are only told to do 3. I am planning to do 3 A-Levels in sixth form, and I am considering to do Arabic A-level separately, which I can hopefully sit in Year 12 to get it out of the way, so I can focus on my 3 A-levels in Yr13.
Which a-levls may i ask? If the other 4 are like thinking skills, media studies etc then it is fine.
Reply 18
Original post by Ali.Ibrahim
I'm currently taking my gcses in year 11. I was wondering if anyone knew if it's even possible to take 7 A-Levels in sixth form, if I can do two of them without lessons and the other 5 with normal lessons. I've never heard of it before but I'm really considering it. Currently for gcse I'm predicted all 9s except for an 8 in geography, french, and level 2 further maths, I've already taken my arabic gcse and I've got a grade 9. If anyone knows anything that would be of help to me, I'd appreciate it.
Mashallah, that's so good to hear. Continue with your hard work and never give up, I love it when I hear someone is doing well.
I am doing 3 A levels and struggling with them. I am not sure how someone will do 7, but if you can and you know you can, then why not!! Hope you do all the best make sure to be realistic about your choices and consider if you can actually get good
Grades.. can you tell me about yiur techniques on how to study?
M
Reply 19
5
Original post by maria:o
why would you need 7 a-levels?
To be fair I thought it would help my university application but after reading everyone's replies, I agree that it isn't really relevant.
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