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How useful is alevels maths in med school?

I'd like to do med school and I've heard that alevels maths is useful but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle considering how difficult maths can be for me.
Are concepts in alevels maths used in med school? If so, is it often enough that not taking the subject will put me heavily behind in med school?
And are med schools more likely/perfer to take students who have taken alevels maths compared to students who have taken just three alevels subjects?
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Original post by Mariaurrrrr
I'd like to do med school and I've heard that alevels maths is useful but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle considering how difficult maths can be for me.
Are concepts in alevels maths used in med school? If so, is it often enough that not taking the subject will put me heavily behind in med school?
And are med schools more likely/perfer to take students who have taken alevels maths compared to students who have taken just three alevels subjects?

No, no, and no.
There is no mathematic content in medical school that approaches the complexity of A levels in my humble opinion.

I would disagree however, that A levels mathematics is of absolutely no value to a medical student who is naturally gifted when it comes to maths.

This is for 2 main reasons.

Mathematics are taught in schools, even if they might not find much every day utility in the workplace, because maths involves the need to learn rules or approaches and then apply them to a problem to find a solution. This is conceptually very similar to how medicine works (or should work but that is a different discussion). Therefore, someone who is good at maths because they can do the above I would say is highly likely to be able to do the same when it comes to decision making in medicine. Coincidentally this is why medical schools are also very very keen on applicants having A level chemistry. Learn basic rules and knowledge, then apply this to a question to predict the result. This is medicine in a nutshell.

Neither medical students nor doctors are a totally homogenous population. Some doctors do opt to work in research and by extension, these same doctors will be heavily involved with statistics and the analysis of numerical data. Someone who can naturally think their way through complicated mathematical questions will be right at home in this area. I would (as someone who does not have A level maths to their name) also hesitantly say that these same people will have an advantage when it comes to understanding the evidence base to medical practice. By example, I often sweat quite heavily when it comes to reading medical research when it becomes highly numbers orientated. That is one of my weaknesses and it would be something I need to address should I consider working in research.

Is A level mathematics a complete pre-requisite though? No. In fact, I would hesitantly say that a lot of people without maths, biology or chemistry experience could probably complete the course. I just can't tell you if this would hinder them later in their careers.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 4
My situation isn't exactly the same since I'm going to be applying to dentistry but while the majority of people who apply for the course also do a level maths, I can strongly say please don't do it unless you love it and/or are extremely good at it. If you know maths is a struggle for you then I would say there's no point choosing it as an option since you're not going to be guaranteed the high medicine grade requirements if you pick subjects you know you're going to have an issue with.

My advice would be to look at a couple of uni's subject requirements and unless you see maths as a non-negotiable that comes up too many times to ignore, I would say swap it for a subject that you know you love instead. The only requirement for dentistry is chemistry and sometimes biology so I am choosing both of them (biology because I love it, chemistry because I have to) and psychology because it's a subject I know I'll enjoy. I've seen people get into the course with combos like RE, sociology and chemistry so don't worry too much about what you pick.

Another thing I'll say is don't feel worried or disadvantaged if you don't do maths. You're at uni to learn - you will be taught everything you need to know regardless of whether you have experience with it or not. From what I've seen, medicine isn't super maths-based so I think you'll be fine anyways. :smile:

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