starting A levels/btec tips

Hi, I hope you all are well.

I am starting sixth form in September and definitely want to do maths A level, business level 3 btec as I find both of these subjects interesting but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general A level and/or sixth form starting tips?

I am confused what to choose for third option? I am thinking applied law but I don't know if I will enjoy it? I hated English gcses so I am not sure whether to do applied law or not? has anyone got any tips/information that you can share with me?

thank you

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post by Harman Kaur

Hi, I hope you all are well.
I am starting sixth form in September and definitely want to do maths A level, business level 3 btec as I find both of these subjects interesting but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general A level and/or sixth form starting tips?
I am confused what to choose for third option? I am thinking applied law but I don't know if I will enjoy it? I hated English gcses so I am not sure whether to do applied law or not? has anyone got any tips/information that you can share with me?
thank you

but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them?
I wouldn't say I performed brilliantly on Maths A Level, but my tips include:

•

Don't treat it like GCSE Maths; it's marked differently and you get less handholding

•

Do past papers regularly

•

What makes it difficult is often not the knowledge that you need to memorise, but the skill you need in applying it

•

Practice makes perfect, and you will need a lot of practice

•

When completing a question and getting it wrong, don't just glance through over it. If you are not reviewing and understanding where you went wrong in maths, you haven't learned the lessons that you need

•

Maths is not like other subjects where you can cram everything in; to revise properly, you need a good 6 months to go through everything for revision. So finish the syllabus early and start revising early.

Videos for tips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wbz3CST8Vg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ctFrUX9iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--gViX-erOs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAaACKEiHo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrOhXvAQS6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM0_0E3sV-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJqheOpRDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNDpM4G8D68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixf8RJp8H1s

The above is just from the first page of Google search results. There are probably 8 pages of decent and relevant search results to go through, and the tips are good. They do however tend to repeat similar themes: past papers, learn from mistakes; wash, rinse, repeat.
I would watch a good number of the above videos (usually at double speed), take good notes on what works, try a few of the strategies, and stick to the things that work for you or gives you the best results.

I have also done Business Studies A Level (not brilliantly), so not exactly Business BTEC. However, if you want pointers for business subjects in general, I might be of help.

I am confused what to choose for third option?
What do you want to study at uni? More precisely, what do you want to do for a job? I think the direction you want to go in life would probably take a higher priority, after that you can then pick your preferences.
If the career that you want doesn't specifically require a degree, then you can pick a degree in any subject (not that it matters). If the career that you want does require a specific type of degree (e.g. accredited by a specific professional body, in a specific subject, etc.), then I would look at the entry requirements for the specific degree. If the type of degree you want to study require specific subject (irrespective of whether the degree is required or not), then I would prioritise those specific subjects.

The fact you are thinking of applied law implies you mentioned it for a reason. Why are you thinking of applied law? Why not say in applied sciences, IT, engineering? Why BTEC specifically, since you get wider uni options with A Levels? Why not say geography, philosophy, further maths, physics?

Reply 2

danisreallycool

8

Original post by Harman Kaur

Hi, I hope you all are well.
I am starting sixth form in September and definitely want to do maths A level, business level 3 btec as I find both of these subjects interesting but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them? or just general A level and/or sixth form starting tips?
I am confused what to choose for third option? I am thinking applied law but I don't know if I will enjoy it? I hated English gcses so I am not sure whether to do applied law or not? has anyone got any tips/information that you can share with me?
thank you

Avoid taking law if you plan to apply to a top university. Although many accept it, preference lies upon transferrable skills such as the ability to essay write. Many sixth forms therefore do not offer law since universities would rather teach it at an undergraduate level from scratch since all students are in the same place.

Reply 3

Harman Kaur

OP

12

Original post by MindMax2000

but was wondering if anyone had any tips for them?
I wouldn't say I performed brilliantly on Maths A Level, but my tips include:

•

Don't treat it like GCSE Maths; it's marked differently and you get less handholding

•

Do past papers regularly

•

What makes it difficult is often not the knowledge that you need to memorise, but the skill you need in applying it

•

Practice makes perfect, and you will need a lot of practice

•

When completing a question and getting it wrong, don't just glance through over it. If you are not reviewing and understanding where you went wrong in maths, you haven't learned the lessons that you need

•

Maths is not like other subjects where you can cram everything in; to revise properly, you need a good 6 months to go through everything for revision. So finish the syllabus early and start revising early.

Videos for tips:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wbz3CST8Vg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ctFrUX9iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--gViX-erOs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeAaACKEiHo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrOhXvAQS6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM0_0E3sV-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJqheOpRDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNDpM4G8D68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixf8RJp8H1s
The above is just from the first page of Google search results. There are probably 8 pages of decent and relevant search results to go through, and the tips are good. They do however tend to repeat similar themes: past papers, learn from mistakes; wash, rinse, repeat.
I would watch a good number of the above videos (usually at double speed), take good notes on what works, try a few of the strategies, and stick to the things that work for you or gives you the best results.
I have also done Business Studies A Level (not brilliantly), so not exactly Business BTEC. However, if you want pointers for business subjects in general, I might be of help.
I am confused what to choose for third option?
What do you want to study at uni? More precisely, what do you want to do for a job? I think the direction you want to go in life would probably take a higher priority, after that you can then pick your preferences.
If the career that you want doesn't specifically require a degree, then you can pick a degree in any subject (not that it matters). If the career that you want does require a specific type of degree (e.g. accredited by a specific professional body, in a specific subject, etc.), then I would look at the entry requirements for the specific degree. If the type of degree you want to study require specific subject (irrespective of whether the degree is required or not), then I would prioritise those specific subjects.
The fact you are thinking of applied law implies you mentioned it for a reason. Why are you thinking of applied law? Why not say in applied sciences, IT, engineering? Why BTEC specifically, since you get wider uni options with A Levels? Why not say geography, philosophy, further maths, physics?

thank you for your help.
What do you want to study at uni? I am not sure, but I am thinking to maybe do maths degree if I enjoyed A levels maths too, maybe business degree or less chances are for accounting degree. these are just estimates, I am not actually sure.
More precisely, what do you want to do for a job? I think the direction you want to go in life would probably take a higher priority, after that you can then pick your preferences. If the career that you want doesn't specifically require a degree, then you can pick a degree in any subject (not that it matters). If the career that you want does require a specific type of degree (e.g. accredited by a specific professional body, in a specific subject, etc.), then I would look at the entry requirements for the specific degree. If the type of degree you want to study require specific subject (irrespective of whether the degree is required or not), then I would prioritise those specific subjects. I don't know which job I want to do, I am not sure which job I will enjoy doing and which job should I do. But I am maybe thinking to do accounting because with A level maths I can do that, I don't know, I am confused. If I do maths degree can I get job in any maths related careers like accounting, IT, financial etc... can you please let me know if I can do that and is it useful to do?
The fact you are thinking of applied law implies you mentioned it for a reason. Why are you thinking of applied law? Why not say in applied sciences, IT, engineering? Why BTEC specifically, since you get wider uni options with A Levels? Why not say geography,philosophy, further maths, physics? I am not sure why but it fits quite well with maths and business. My school doesn't have applied science and I don't like to do sciences. My school doesn't have engineering. I don't like IT it is hard. I know that you get wider options with A levels but I don't like other A levels rather than maths. I don't like geography and physics. I find philosophy interesting but I don't want to do it. I was thinnking to do further maths but it will be very hard for me cause maths is hard for me but I enjoy it so I am choosing. I didnt have any other option so I choose law.

Reply 4

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post by Harman Kaur

thank you for your help.
What do you want to study at uni? I am not sure, but I am thinking to maybe do maths degree if I enjoyed A levels maths too, maybe business degree or less chances are for accounting degree. these are just estimates, I am not actually sure.
More precisely, what do you want to do for a job? I think the direction you want to go in life would probably take a higher priority, after that you can then pick your preferences. If the career that you want doesn't specifically require a degree, then you can pick a degree in any subject (not that it matters). If the career that you want does require a specific type of degree (e.g. accredited by a specific professional body, in a specific subject, etc.), then I would look at the entry requirements for the specific degree. If the type of degree you want to study require specific subject (irrespective of whether the degree is required or not), then I would prioritise those specific subjects. I don't know which job I want to do, I am not sure which job I will enjoy doing and which job should I do. But I am maybe thinking to do accounting because with A level maths I can do that, I don't know, I am confused. If I do maths degree can I get job in any maths related careers like accounting, IT, financial etc... can you please let me know if I can do that and is it useful to do?
The fact you are thinking of applied law implies you mentioned it for a reason. Why are you thinking of applied law? Why not say in applied sciences, IT, engineering? Why BTEC specifically, since you get wider uni options with A Levels? Why not say geography,philosophy, further maths, physics? I am not sure why but it fits quite well with maths and business. My school doesn't have applied science and I don't like to do sciences. My school doesn't have engineering. I don't like IT it is hard. I know that you get wider options with A levels but I don't like other A levels rather than maths. I don't like geography and physics. I find philosophy interesting but I don't want to do it. I was thinnking to do further maths but it will be very hard for me cause maths is hard for me but I enjoy it so I am choosing. I didnt have any other option so I choose law.

I am not sure, but I am thinking to maybe do maths degree if I enjoyed A levels maths too, maybe business degree or less chances are for accounting degree. these are just estimates, I am not actually sure.
You might want to ask people who did or are doing such degrees for a second opinion. From what I know about them:

Maths degrees tend to involve a lot of proof and you look into mathematical theorem. You don't actually do a lot of calculations and apply the maths in a context e.g. figuring out the volumes of 3D shapes, how much time is required for a projectile to reach the ground, or figure out the optimal path to get from A to B at the lowest cost. You would notice the sort of questions you get (most of which are pure maths) if you jump on Quora and look for difficult maths questions. Some of the topics they go all out on tend to be in calculus, linear algebra, and complex numbers.
If you like maths, but don't like doing pure maths proofs (as a large portion of maths people are), then you would want to look into more of the applied maths subjects such as Finance, Economics, Engineering, Physics, Biological Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Business Analysis, Computer Science. The maths in these areas subjects tend to be more like the traditional maths you see in GCSE and A Level.

Business degrees would more or less repeat what you would be covering in BTEC business, but more as an academic exercise. In other words, you don't actually learn anything new. If you want a degree for a sake of a degree, a business degree is as good as any.

I get mixed feelings about accounting degrees. For one, you can get into accounting with A Levels, IBs, BTECs, etc. and it's often a lot quicker and cheaper to qualify as an accountant without doing the degree. On the other hand, if you want to go into research accounting at postgrad, an accounting degree is nice to have instead of doing it as a master's (which can sometimes cost more than the bachelor's, depending on where you go and what degree you do).

Do note, if you intend to go into business or accounting, degrees in these areas won't necessarily help you or give you a leg up on the competition. Recruiters and employers in business and accounting accept graduates with any degree (as well as people with no degrees); they care more about your relevant experience and skills.

But I am maybe thinking to do accounting because with A level maths I can do that, I don't know, I am confused.
Accounting isn't really all that mathematical i.e. the maths used is usually straightforward arithmetic. Most of it is about data entry and producing reports. If you enjoy mathematical problem solving, accounting can actually bore you.
You also don't need A Level Maths to get into accounting; you need passes at A Level, IB, BTEC, etc. to get onto a professional accounting qualification (which is what you actually need to become an accountant), but the individual employer can get picky about your grades.
If you want a more mathematical job, then you're better off looking into actuarial science and quantitative analysis. See the following for your reference:
https://blog.actuaries.org.uk/what-do-actuaries-actually-do/
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionals/121615/quantitative-analyst-job-description-average-salary.asp

I don't know which job I want to do, I am not sure which job I will enjoy doing and which job should I do.
This is something I recommend you look more deeply into when possible. I appreciate that at 16, you have little clue about what the world is actually like and you have no idea of what you actually want. However, it shouldn't be something you keep putting off, otherwise you have a lot to catch up with.
Things that I strongly recommend you look into:

•

Speak to professionals already in the role or were in the roles that you want to go into; ask about what it's like, what sort of people appeal to the role, and what it takes to get such a job. Do a lot of networking to find this out (there are some people in this forum who can give you some insight, but it's often better to get them in person from people with years of experience).

•

Use websites such as National Careers Service, Career Pilot, Life Pilot, and Prospects to look up the job profiles for the jobs that you are interested in, and see what the requirements are.

•

Speak to graduates and uni students about the degrees that you are interested in (you get plenty on this forum) e.g. what is the degree like, what you actually learn, has the degree helped them in their job in any way, etc.

If I do maths degree can I get job in any maths related careers like accounting, IT, financial etc... can you please let me know if I can do that and is it useful to do?
When you have a degree, you can generally go into roles that either uses that degree, requires a degree in any subject, or requires no degree at all.
The primary role a maths degree allow you to go into is that of a mathematical researcher.
Other roles where the degree can be useful include: maths teacher, quants, actuary.
Then you have plethora of roles where you can go into with a degree in any subject or no degree at all, including accounting, IT, finance, property, translation, pilot, etc. Do note, you might need professional qualifications for some of these roles, since that's what you are legally required to have (and these qualifications often don't need prior qualifications in order for you to take them).
Having said that, maths degrees are highly regarded because they are difficult and that you do get a lot of strong quantitative and problem solving skills in it. If you are getting a degree for the sake of a degree and to show that you have transferrable skills, then maths is definitely one of them. Others include (not exhaustive list) computer science, engineering, physics.

So yes, you can go into into accounting, IT, finance, etc. with a maths degree, but at the same time you don't need a degree to go into these areas in the first place.
Is a maths degree useful to do? Yeah, I would say so. You do pick up maths problem solving skill as a well as programming (or should do) in your degree.

I didnt have any other option so I choose law.
Not exactly what I was going for, but hey.

Law can complement business (I definitely would say it clashes with maths in so many ways), but you should only do it in your case if you feel like you can get a high grade in it. If you can't, then I would drop it where possible.

Picking a subject because there were no other better options isn't something I recommend doing at A Level/BTEC. You should really do a subject if you really enjoy it, you are really good at it, or it's a requirement for further qualifications that you want to do. Doing it when you don't have better options isn't usually something that turns out well.

starting A levels/btec tips

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