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Will I be okay doing only 3 GCSES or should I take two more?

Due to personal events I left school in year eight and was out for quite awhile, recently I’ve started going to a college that lets me take English lit, lang, and maths along with a vocational. I’m taking mechanics as a vocational but I don’t know if I want to continue that in college, I’m worried that I won’t have enough GCSES to do an A level if I want to.

I was thinking I should take two extra subjects with the goal just to get a passing grade, but I don’t know how achievable this is since I literally only have about 7 months until my exams. I sort of already have an idea of which subjects I would take, I’m strongest at writing subjects so I feel like that would be easiest for me but I really enjoy physics so I don’t really know what to do.
Most sixth forms / sixth form colleges ask for a minimum of 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths in order to do A Levels. Some ask for more. I don't think there are any that ask for less than 5. Look at your local options and see what their entry requirements are.

Given the time frame you've got now, it'll be a lot of work but not impossible to take up 2 more and sit them as a private candidate. Bear in mind you'll need to book your own exams and pay for them yourself. You'll need to allocate yourself 120 hours per subject for learning the material, and still leave time for revision.

If it were me I think I'd just take an extra year to do those extra two subjects, and then start sixth form / sixth form college a year late for your A Levels.

Alternatively just choose a BTEC subject instead and work your way up from Level 2 through Level 3.
(edited 3 months ago)
Reply 2
Original post by PinkMobilePhone
Most sixth forms / sixth form colleges ask for a minimum of 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths in order to do A Levels. Some ask for more. I don't think there are any that ask for less than 5. Look at your local options and see what their entry requirements are.
Given the time frame you've got now, it'll be a lot of work but not impossible to take up 2 more and sit them as a private candidate. Bear in mind you'll need to book your own exams and pay for them yourself. You'll need to allocate yourself 120 hours per subject for learning the material, and still leave time for revision.
If it were me I think I'd just take an extra year to do those extra two subjects, and then start sixth form / sixth form college a year late for your A Levels.
Alternatively just choose a BTEC subject instead and work your way up from Level 2 through Level 3.


Thank you, I’ll have a think about what I want to do. I didn’t realise taking extra GCSEs in sixth form was an option, I might consider it. Thank you again ☺️
Original post by Notrealsorry
Thank you, I’ll have a think about what I want to do. I didn’t realise taking extra GCSEs in sixth form was an option, I might consider it. Thank you again ☺️

Well, I meant take an extra year at home and do them privately, and then go to sixth form for your A Levels. But you have options anyway.

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