4th A-Level Choice

Hi
I am a year 10 student, and at the end of this year (2024, not academic) I will be fixing in my A-Level choices.
I'm planning to study Mathematics at uni.
The 3 I have currently 100% fixed down are: Maths, FM, Physics.
I am currently torn between the fourth choice, between: chemistry, economics, history.
I am currently doing very well in both chemistry and history, and in economics I am sure I'll also do well as I am quite good at maths.
Additionally, I would very likely enjoy all three subjects.
Any guidance would be helpful and much appreciated.
Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

plenka

Chemistry is known for being quite difficult, so doing that in addition to what are already 3 of the hardest A Levels will require a lot of effort, but I'm sure you can do it if you work hard. Economics I'm guessing is quite mathsy, and perhaps you would like to do something other than maths so you don't go insane (I'm definitely glad I chose geography as well as maths, fm and physics), so if I were you I'd probably do history. From what I've heard its quite interesting at A Level also :smile:

Reply 2

NotRike

But isn't history also equally quite a lot of workload? It's a lot of memorization, and plus half of the course will be on British history, which I don't particularly find that interesting (more into Eastern European/Asian history).

Reply 3

lanky_giraffe

Honestly, chemistry is more mathematical than economics at a level 💀. Economics at a level is very essay based

Reply 4

lanky_giraffe

All of my friends that wanted to do something mathematical at a top uni and did 4 subjects picked FM, Maths, Physics and Chemistry and all of them achieved A*A*A*A (all of their As were in chemistry).

I would suggest doing only 3 but if you want to do 4 then just pick the one that you think will be the easiest (often the one you enjoy the most and a bit less work (maybe has a coursework aspect)).

Maybe look at the specifications online and watch a couple of yt videos on topics and see which one you are most interested in.

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 5

plenka

Original post by NotRike

Of course I haven't done it so I'm just going off what my friends have said, but I don't think its that bad, as you have more time devoted to each subject at A level its just as much about exam technique as it is about remembering things. There is also coursework which makes up some of your grade. Of course economics is also essay based, with a fair bit of memorisation as well.

Reply 6

NotRike

Hmmm. Ok thanks. I'll spend some time and think abt it. After all I still have 5 months ish

Reply 7

NotRike

What if I narrowed it down to economics or chemistry? What would you say then?

Reply 8

SiberianLIGER

Original post by NotRike

What if I narrowed it down to economics or chemistry? What would you say then?

I did economics A-level and my sister did the Chemistry A-level. Neither course is very maths heavy (my sister didn't do maths A-level, the maths in chemistry is very basic). Economics is just basic numeracy at A-level, with almost zero overlap with the A-level maths courses. The focus is more essay based and relies on your critical thinking as you'll be evaluating policies and the effects of historical events using models and theory.

Imo, economics won't take up a lot of your time. I did maths and F.maths and I was able to dedicate almost all of my time to revising those while still getting a good Econ grade. If you think you would enjoy chemistry more, then take it, but it will probably take up more of your time.

(edited 5 months ago)

Reply 9

piwvojqVOQEV

Original post by NotRike

What if I narrowed it down to economics or chemistry? What would you say then?

Do chemistry, but then drop it in year twelve, that's what I did.

Reply 10

cbush6016

Thats a interesting choice, I'm currently doing my first year of a levels with: physics, maths and enginnering. Chemisty is difficult on top of your other subjects but if you work hard you'll do well. My friend does history and I think its less dependant on exams because there is part coursework. Its up to you

Reply 11

klafow

Original post by plenka

i agree with everything, but just wanted to point out that econ is not mathsy at a-level (it is at uni though). you will find yourself writing a lot of essays and doing a lot of wider reading, similar to a humanities subject. i don't think there's much difference between your three options, so whatever you pick should be fine.

i'd like to vouch for econ though, i found it really fun this year. it puts everything you read about in the news into context, gives you a lot of general knowledge and its a really refreshing break from my other stem subjects.

most people in your position would pick chemistry but as mentioned earlier it is quite difficult and the grade boundaries are high. imo once you get the hang of it economics is much easier than chemistry (as long as you can write good essays)