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Changing A-Levels from bio to maths - URGENT

Hey this is my first post on here so excuse any errors.

I've finished my 1st term of sixth form and I'm seriously contemplating switching from bio to maths because I'm considering chemistry at uni (and a lot if not most unis require chem AND maths, esp the good unis)

Leading up to the deadline of switching in October I was thinking about switching but I wanted to see if bio would get better (big mistake) and I was focusing on medicine but now I'm really not sure, and even if i was to return to the idea of medicine maths shouldn't affect that since the unis ive been looking at for medicine don't require bio specifically, just another science/maths

In summary I just need some maths students and/or students who have switched late to advise me on what to do because I am losing it atm. lol.

- for further context, I got a 7 at GCSE so I'm also on the lower end of the scale, part of why i steered clear of maths was because I was scared I wasn't good enough for it at A-Level

Reply 1

millietibbles

i got a 7 at GCSE and am now getting A/B at A level. the first term of a level maths wasn't that tough iirc, and won't be too tough to catch up on as long as you put in hard work as a lot of it is GCSE content plus some, not whole new concepts

Reply 2

sagenotgreen

Original post

by anqtomy111

Hey this is my first post on here so excuse any errors.
I've finished my 1st term of sixth form and I'm seriously contemplating switching from bio to maths because I'm considering chemistry at uni (and a lot if not most unis require chem AND maths, esp the good unis)
Leading up to the deadline of switching in October I was thinking about switching but I wanted to see if bio would get better (big mistake) and I was focusing on medicine but now I'm really not sure, and even if i was to return to the idea of medicine maths shouldn't affect that since the unis ive been looking at for medicine don't require bio specifically, just another science/maths
In summary I just need some maths students and/or students who have switched late to advise me on what to do because I am losing it atm. lol.
- for further context, I got a 7 at GCSE so I'm also on the lower end of the scale, part of why i steered clear of maths was because I was scared I wasn't good enough for it at A-Level

last year i was in a similar position as you. i switched from psych to maths a level in the december of year 12. i also got a 7 in maths. if you do switch definitely catch up on the content as soon as you can because otherwise you will fall really behind and future concepts you learn will be quite difficult to understand. if you enjoy maths definitely go for it. like all a levels, if you put the hard work in it will pay off! good luck :smile:

Reply 3

anqtomy111

Original post

by millietibbles

Thank you so much your reply is very much appreciated :smile:

)

Reply 4

anqtomy111

Original post

by sagenotgreen

Thank you very much <33

Reply 5

lanky_giraffe

I got a 7 and got an A*. It’s doable to do well after getting a 7 in gcse maths.

Reply 6

ymj

how are u guys teachers/schools still letting u switch i wish i could drop chem but now im stuck with it

Reply 7

Peach_rose34

Original post

by anqtomy111

Hey this is my first post on here so excuse any errors.
I've finished my 1st term of sixth form and I'm seriously contemplating switching from bio to maths because I'm considering chemistry at uni (and a lot if not most unis require chem AND maths, esp the good unis)
Leading up to the deadline of switching in October I was thinking about switching but I wanted to see if bio would get better (big mistake) and I was focusing on medicine but now I'm really not sure, and even if i was to return to the idea of medicine maths shouldn't affect that since the unis ive been looking at for medicine don't require bio specifically, just another science/maths
In summary I just need some maths students and/or students who have switched late to advise me on what to do because I am losing it atm. lol.
- for further context, I got a 7 at GCSE so I'm also on the lower end of the scale, part of why i steered clear of maths was because I was scared I wasn't good enough for it at A-Level

it’s definitely worth it if you’re set on chemistry undergrad, and you can catch up for sure
I can’t comment on what’s in the first term of a level maths as I did all of as level by January (I do further maths) . What I can say though is that as level maths is fairly straightforward. My advice if you’re set on switching (which if you genuinely like maths you’d enjoy) use the holidays to get your gcse maths knowledge up to a very good standard. The first bit of a level is grade 9 gcse maths stuff and strong foundational maths knowledge will both impress teachers with your commitment and help you catch up.
Off the top of my head this is the hardest gcse content(which overlaps with a level):
-completing the square and finding min/max values on the hardest quadratics
-graph sketching for inequalities/equations(quadratics, cubics, trig functions, etc)
-grade 9 questions on algebraic manipulation eg simultaneous equations

I do apologise if I’m wrong, I did this stuff sep 23 . But pushing your knowledge with top band gcse questions, and if you’re feeling confident, gcse further maths or as level content will definitely help you.

If it’s not possible to switch you could try level 3 core maths as an alternative. That said I’d be scared to go into a pure stem degree without a level maths.

Reply 8

Muttley79

Original post

by anqtomy111

Thank you very much <33

Which board does your school study? The best plan is to show you've already started catching up before the new term starts so I could link you to some resources.

Do you have a friend that could tell you the chapters they've done so far?

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 9

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

Original post

by anqtomy111

Hey this is my first post on here so excuse any errors.
I've finished my 1st term of sixth form and I'm seriously contemplating switching from bio to maths because I'm considering chemistry at uni (and a lot if not most unis require chem AND maths, esp the good unis)
Leading up to the deadline of switching in October I was thinking about switching but I wanted to see if bio would get better (big mistake) and I was focusing on medicine but now I'm really not sure, and even if i was to return to the idea of medicine maths shouldn't affect that since the unis ive been looking at for medicine don't require bio specifically, just another science/maths
In summary I just need some maths students and/or students who have switched late to advise me on what to do because I am losing it atm. lol.
- for further context, I got a 7 at GCSE so I'm also on the lower end of the scale, part of why i steered clear of maths was because I was scared I wasn't good enough for it at A-Level

Just double check with your 6th form/college to see if they will let you swap. They might let you swap, but they may also not let you and say its too late.

Reply 10

Piginthepuddle

Original post

by anqtomy111

Hey this is my first post on here so excuse any errors.
I've finished my 1st term of sixth form and I'm seriously contemplating switching from bio to maths because I'm considering chemistry at uni (and a lot if not most unis require chem AND maths, esp the good unis)
Leading up to the deadline of switching in October I was thinking about switching but I wanted to see if bio would get better (big mistake) and I was focusing on medicine but now I'm really not sure, and even if i was to return to the idea of medicine maths shouldn't affect that since the unis ive been looking at for medicine don't require bio specifically, just another science/maths
In summary I just need some maths students and/or students who have switched late to advise me on what to do because I am losing it atm. lol.
- for further context, I got a 7 at GCSE so I'm also on the lower end of the scale, part of why i steered clear of maths was because I was scared I wasn't good enough for it at A-Level

I'm in year 13 currently and I think year 12 maths (especially in the beginning) is quite easy so I wouldn't think you'd find it much of a problem. Personally, I think maths is a subject where if you put the practice in, you'll get a good result, which is not what I can say about biology 🥲. For med it would be good to have biology but if you aren't enjoying it and you are set on particular unis then I say drop it as soon as you can.