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Oxford Physics, A level maths a year early

I have just finished year 12 and took my a level maths and got an A (10 marks off an A*). I wanted to ask anyone who took maths early and applied for Oxford
Physics how the application went as Oxford hasn't responded to any of my query emails (sent about 3 months ago) about how it affects the application such as if it would qualify as one of the offer grades needed. Or if it would negatively impact the application etc...
(Studying Maths, F.maths, Physics and Chem at A level)
Original post by Anonymous
I have just finished year 12 and took my a level maths and got an A (10 marks off an A*). I wanted to ask anyone who took maths early and applied for Oxford
Physics how the application went as Oxford hasn't responded to any of my query emails (sent about 3 months ago) about how it affects the application such as if it would qualify as one of the offer grades needed. Or if it would negatively impact the application etc...
(Studying Maths, F.maths, Physics and Chem at A level)

I'm afraid you may have shot yourself in the foot there.

Oxford - and all unis for thay matter - like it when you sit 3 A-levels in one go. So they might give you an offer conditional on you sitting 3 A-levels next summer (if you manage to get in the first place).

I'd email Oxford again for advice on how to proceed.

Edit: didn't see you're doing 4 A-levels. As the poster below adviced, that's alright then, don't worry!
(edited 1 month ago)
I was at the Oxford uni open day this summer in a physics department admissions session. I am pretty sure I recall someone asking the question about sitting maths A level a year early. They responded to say it is commonly done when students are also taking further maths so not a problem. In your case you are doing 4 A levels anyway so you will still have 3 next summer but I am sure they said they would take a maths A level into account when sat early.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 3
Original post by Scotland Yard
I'm afraid you may have shot yourself in the foot there.
Oxford - and all unis for thay matter - like it when you sit 3 A-levels in one go. So they might give you an offer conditional on you sitting 3 A-levels next summer (if you manage to get in the first place).
I'd email Oxford again for advice on how to proceed.
Edit: didn't see you're doing 4 A-levels. As the poster below adviced, that's alright then, don't worry!

Okay thank you!! 😁
Reply 4
Original post by Smurf2024
I was at the Oxford uni open day this summer in a physics department admissions session. I am pretty sure I recall someone asking the question about sitting maths A level a year early. They responded to say it is commonly done when students are also taking further maths so not a problem. In your case you are doing 4 A levels anyway so you will still have 3 next summer but I am sure they said they would take a maths A level into account when sat early.

🙏🙏
Original post by Anonymous
I have just finished year 12 and took my a level maths and got an A (10 marks off an A*). I wanted to ask anyone who took maths early and applied for Oxford
Physics how the application went as Oxford hasn't responded to any of my query emails (sent about 3 months ago) about how it affects the application such as if it would qualify as one of the offer grades needed. Or if it would negatively impact the application etc...
(Studying Maths, F.maths, Physics and Chem at A level)

From Oxford's website: "f students are entered early for examinations, the University would still expect students to achieve at the highest level. Poor performance could potentially have a negative effect on a future application."

Given that you didn't get an A* in Maths, this may negatively impact your chances.

Edit: That's not to say it's not worth it, but it may be something to be aware of.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 6
Original post by melancollege
From Oxford's website: "f students are entered early for examinations, the University would still expect students to achieve at the highest level. Poor performance could potentially have a negative effect on a future application."
Given that you didn't get an A* in Maths, this may negatively impact your chances.
Edit: That's not to say it's not worth it, but it may be something to be aware of.

Might it be worth it to resit it next year and forget about further maths?
The offer from Oxford for physics is A* A A. You have achieved one of the As. Therefore you still need to get an A* in one of the remaining 3 A levels and another A. Personally if it was me I would throw the energy into the remaining 3 as well as the entrance exam preparation. If you dont do further maths when it was possible to do it in your school they will want to know why you dropped it. As you achieved the required grade standard a year early I think you are doing well, personally so it depends whether you think you would have potential to get at least one A* out of your other subjects. I would read the commentary from Oxford as being geared towards those who don't avhieve the required grades a year early but you have (as long as you think you can get an A* in one or more of the remaining 3 as well as a further A). If you cant you may not be at the standard to pass the entrance exam anyway. Further Maths is supposed to be useful for the physics degree which is quite mathematical at Oxford so, if you are progressing well in it, it would be a shame to drop it just to try and improve maths A level up to an A*. You are going to need to prepare for the entrance exam which includes a lot of maths so they will be looking at how you perform in that and it will probably develop your maths skills further anyway.

Another possibility might be for you to resit the maths A level along with the other 3 next summer to see if you can improve it then. Since you are doing further maths you are already continuing to work on your maths skills and will also be doing this to prepare for the entrance exam (I am assuming you will be making use of the preparation materials on the Oxford Uni website). Therefore it may not be too much extra work just to keep going over the maths A level syllabus and doing practice papers before resitting it with the others although it will detract a bit from your efforts on the other 3.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 8
Original post by Smurf2024
The offer from Oxford for physics is A* A A. You have achieved one of the As. Therefore you still need to get an A* in one of the remaining 3 A levels and another A. Personally if it was me I would throw the energy into the remaining 3 as well as the entrance exam preparation. If you dont do further maths when it was possible to do it in your school they will want to know why you dropped it. As you achieved the required grade standard a year early I think you are doing well, personally so it depends whether you think you would have potential to get at least one A* out of your other subjects. I would read the commentary from Oxford as being geared towards those who don't avhieve the required grades a year early but you have (as long as you think you can get an A* in one or more of the remaining 3 as well as a further A). If you cant you may not be at the standard to pass the entrance exam anyway. Further Maths is supposed to be useful for the physics degree which is quite mathematical at Oxford so, if you are progressing well in it, it would be a shame to drop it just to try and improve maths A level up to an A*. You are going to need to prepare for the entrance exam which includes a lot of maths so they will be looking at how you perform in that and it will probably develop your maths skills further anyway.
Another possibility might be for you to resit the maths A level along with the other 3 next summer to see if you can improve it then. Since you are doing further maths you are already continuing to work on your maths skills and will also be doing this to prepare for the entrance exam (I am assuming you will be making use of the preparation materials on the Oxford Uni website). Therefore it may not be too much extra work just to keep going over the maths A level syllabus and doing practice papers before resitting it with the others although it will detract a bit from your efforts on the other 3.

Thank you, this is great info!! I have been doing a LOT of prep for the PAT in October and I'm predicted an A* in Physics so I might just stick with doing all the A-levels like you said 👍️

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