Which A-Levels?

I'm about to go into my first year of sixth form, and I am still undecided on my fourth option. At my school, if you do further maths, you have to do four A-Levels (due to the rate at which it's dropped), so while I've chosen my main four, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, I'm stuck between biology and chemistry as my fourth.

For some context, I hope to, in the future, go into astrophysics and study either physics or natural sciences at uni. I have hopes of going to Cambridge and taking their natural science course (physical) however, while I prefer biology I am not sure if not picking chemistry would put me at a disadvantage.

Along with this, when I was doing my pre-enrolment tasks I realised there was a lot of chemistry in both biology and physics which I fear would make it more difficult to understand certain topics if I didn't take it.

But since I'm doing 4 A-Levels I'm also worried about difficulty and balancing revision. I know Chemistry is meant to be very hard, but maybe I might find it easier due to my maths skills? Whereas biology is supposed to be a bit easier but has a lot to revise, though I enjoy it more than chemistry.

So all of this is to say I really have no clue which to take and I'm worried that four A-Levels will affect my grades so I am unsure which, in this scenario would be best to select. Any advice is very appreciated!

Reply 1

Kingston Reps

Official Rep

Original post by gw.orionis

I'm about to go into my first year of sixth form, and I am still undecided on my fourth option. At my school, if you do further maths, you have to do four A-Levels (due to the rate at which it's dropped), so while I've chosen my main four, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, I'm stuck between biology and chemistry as my fourth.
For some context, I hope to, in the future, go into astrophysics and study either physics or natural sciences at uni. I have hopes of going to Cambridge and taking their natural science course (physical) however, while I prefer biology I am not sure if not picking chemistry would put me at a disadvantage.
Along with this, when I was doing my pre-enrolment tasks I realised there was a lot of chemistry in both biology and physics which I fear would make it more difficult to understand certain topics if I didn't take it.
But since I'm doing 4 A-Levels I'm also worried about difficulty and balancing revision. I know Chemistry is meant to be very hard, but maybe I might find it easier due to my maths skills? Whereas biology is supposed to be a bit easier but has a lot to revise, though I enjoy it more than chemistry.
So all of this is to say I really have no clue which to take and I'm worried that four A-Levels will affect my grades so I am unsure which, in this scenario would be best to select. Any advice is very appreciated!

Hey @gw.orionis,

I took Chemistry for A-Level, alongside a mix of some other fairly random subjects (English Lit, Econ and Art). Chemistry can get tough at times, but if you did well in it at GSCE and try to learn the material as it comes rather than waiting until mocks/exams, it's certainly manageable. However, I don't think choosing Biology over Chemistry would put you at a disadvantage either - if you're looking at primarily Physics-based degrees, Physics, Maths and FM should be more than enough as a combination.

From what other people told me who were studying both, Biology had more understandable content but required a good amount of rote learning, whilst Chemistry had more 'challenging' content but significantly less rote learning. If you enjoy Biology as a subject more, the rote learning aspect might not bother you - after all, for some students, that method of learning works best for them - and the classes might be more entertaining. However, in terms of revision, there probably does end up being less for Chemistry if you can get a good grasp on the content.

Were your GCSE grades the same for both Biology and Chemistry, or did you perform stronger in one over the other? If so, that's something to also consider.

Hope this was helpful,
Eve (Kingston Rep).

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

For physics or Cambridge nat sci physical science course you shouldn't be at a disadvantage as double maths and physics will be enough for entry requirements. For nat sci check if those 3 will allow you to do the modules in first year that interest you. As you prefer bio it might be better to opt for that. How did you do in gcse with each? Also how easy was it for you to revise for them?