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I need some guidance.

I'm a private candidate doing CAIE A levels, I have completed Math(9709) and IT(9626) AS exams in may/june 2024 and I plan on doing Business(9609) AS exam in Oct/Nov. now the problem is, I don't wish on continuing with business for A2 and carry on with Math and IT for A2 in may/june 2025.

I would want to know if this would be a bad idea (becuz tbh, I don't have any prior knowledge to business and I was thinking maybe instead of carrying on with Business for A2, I could perhaps do another subject AS level for May/June 2025?) since AS syllabus tends to be easier than A2.

My ultimate focus/goal is obviously just getting accepted in any university somehow (not in UK btw). I am hoping doing 2 Alevels and 1 or 2 AS level/s would be fine for any university to accept? or do I really need to do 3 Alevels?
Original post by hayfarm_
I'm a private candidate doing CAIE A levels, I have completed Math(9709) and IT(9626) AS exams in may/june 2024 and I plan on doing Business(9609) AS exam in Oct/Nov. now the problem is, I don't wish on continuing with business for A2 and carry on with Math and IT for A2 in may/june 2025.
I would want to know if this would be a bad idea (becuz tbh, I don't have any prior knowledge to business and I was thinking maybe instead of carrying on with Business for A2, I could perhaps do another subject AS level for May/June 2025?) since AS syllabus tends to be easier than A2.
My ultimate focus/goal is obviously just getting accepted in any university somehow (not in UK btw). I am hoping doing 2 Alevels and 1 or 2 AS level/s would be fine for any university to accept? or do I really need to do 3 Alevels?

I didn't do CAIE A Level in business, but I was in a similar situation. I didn't studied business prior to A Level, but I managed to scored a reasonable grade in it.

Usually A Levels don't require prior knowledge in a specific subject in order to do it. Having some prior knowledge is beneficial for some more challenging subjects such as maths, IT, and the sciences. However, most of the time you can catch up if you work hard enough.

For some universities (I can't claim all), having 2 full A Levels + 2 AS Levels would be equivalent of 3 A Levels. However, this might vary for specific degree courses. You would need to check the entry requirements for each individual degree to be sure.

Whilst I can more or less generalise that 3 full A Levels with A2 Levels is usually going to make your application more competitive than 2 A Levels + 2 ASs, I can't say it's definite for all uni applications that you make.

Just out of interest, what do you exactly hope to do at university? Your choice of degree isn't exactly wide based on the subjects you chose. Whilst Maths is probably the subject that is most requested for degrees, it doesn't cover all bases. IT isn't strictly required for a lot of degrees, and business is definitely not required, as far as I know.
Your choice of degree can determine if 2 full A Levels + 2 AS Levels would be accepted as well.
Reply 2
Original post by MindMax2000
I didn't do CAIE A Level in business, but I was in a similar situation. I didn't studied business prior to A Level, but I managed to scored a reasonable grade in it.
Usually A Levels don't require prior knowledge in a specific subject in order to do it. Having some prior knowledge is beneficial for some more challenging subjects such as maths, IT, and the sciences. However, most of the time you can catch up if you work hard enough.
For some universities (I can't claim all), having 2 full A Levels + 2 AS Levels would be equivalent of 3 A Levels. However, this might vary for specific degree courses. You would need to check the entry requirements for each individual degree to be sure.
Whilst I can more or less generalise that 3 full A Levels with A2 Levels is usually going to make your application more competitive than 2 A Levels + 2 ASs, I can't say it's definite for all uni applications that you make.
Just out of interest, what do you exactly hope to do at university? Your choice of degree isn't exactly wide based on the subjects you chose. Whilst Maths is probably the subject that is most requested for degrees, it doesn't cover all bases. IT isn't strictly required for a lot of degrees, and business is definitely not required, as far as I know.
Your choice of degree can determine if 2 full A Levels + 2 AS Levels would be accepted as well.

I really wish to study Psychology and I've not really decided where I would want to study (was hoping to study in NZ). tbh, I would have taken psychology A levels but since I'm a private candidate and plus CAIE syllabus is completely new to me, (I used to study under CBSE Indian board) I wasn't sure if I would be able to study on my own. I've taken business as majority of the students here takes it as well as there are lot of tutors who can guide for it but none for psychology.
Original post by hayfarm_
I really wish to study Psychology and I've not really decided where I would want to study (was hoping to study in NZ). tbh, I would have taken psychology A levels but since I'm a private candidate and plus CAIE syllabus is completely new to me, (I used to study under CBSE Indian board) I wasn't sure if I would be able to study on my own. I've taken business as majority of the students here takes it as well as there are lot of tutors who can guide for it but none for psychology.

To my knowledge, the majority of psychology degrees don't require A Levels in specific subjects. I don't know how true this is for undergrad degrees in psychology in NZ. If the first sentence applies, then I would pick your second AS in a subject that you can get a really high grade in as opposed for any subject.

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