The Student Room Group

a level choices

ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?
First thing - don't pick 4 subjects, esp that combo, the workload will stretch you very thin and it will affect ur results at the end of y13 (keep in mind y13 will be even more worse
For advice on subjects: I've heard that the jump from gcse physics to a-level physics is a lot more than the other sciences, a 9 in physics might not mean you'll do well at physics a-level.
As an a-level biologist, there is a LOT of content you need to know, and you'll have to put a fair amount of work into learning it.
Maths is relatively easy if you do well, further maths may be too difficult for a grade 7 student, as it is a course for very gifted mathematicians and can be very challenging, but if you enjoy maths it is fun! It also has a fairly large workload, after each lesson I have to complete an hrs worth of exam questions and I heard for FM it's even more.
Another thing to mention is that it's best to pick subjects that synergise well together, if you learn the same thing in both maths and physics (or FM and bio as there is a slight crossover in statistics) it's more likely to be remembered.
In summary pick the 3 a-levels you enjoy the most, you need motivation to get through these academically challenging courses especially STEM ones. Hope this helped!
Original post by elise.15
ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?
Hi @elise.15,

I don't think you'll get overwhelmed from your combination of subject choices, but rather because you're taking four subjects. Of course STEM subjects will undoubtedly be difficult, and that on it's own will overwhelm you- but taking four subjects is not necessary whatsoever. Most universities only look and have requirements for three subjects anyways. I think your subject combinations will keep a lot of doors open, especially if you want to pursue a STEM degree.

Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep
Original post by elise.15
ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?

You have chosen science-based subjects. If you want to spread your options, i would suggest that you consider dropping one of the maths subjects to take History, Economics etc.

If you are not too bothered you could consider PPE, Natural Sciences etc.
Reply 4
I got a 7 at gcse for maths and did maths at a level. I have found it quite hard but as long as you stick at it and stay on top of the workload you’ll be fine. I’m now predicted an A* which i would never have imagined when I started a levels. Further maths would have been too much for me though.

The science subjects do leave things very open as you can apply to almost anything with them…. Even non science courses at uni. If i was you I would do single maths, and then 2 other subjects you enjoy (and are pretty good at).
Original post by elise.15
ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?

How about starting with 4 and see how you go. You could always drop one in the first few weeks if its too much.
Although people mainly do 3- some people who do further maths do do 4 (its not uncommon).
You can apply for quite a few things with maths/science based subjects, so you have quite a few options.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by BCU Student Rep
Hi @elise.15,
I don't think you'll get overwhelmed from your combination of subject choices, but rather because you're taking four subjects. Of course STEM subjects will undoubtedly be difficult, and that on it's own will overwhelm you- but taking four subjects is not necessary whatsoever. Most universities only look and have requirements for three subjects anyways. I think your subject combinations will keep a lot of doors open, especially if you want to pursue a STEM degree.
Hope this helps,
Danish
BCU Student Rep

Quite a few people who do both maths and further maths do the 4 subjects (whereas people usually do 3). Not all by any means, but its not uncommon.
Original post by elise.15
ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?

Further maths and maths are often taken together (and most people who do FM do four 4 levels, as otherwise it's not much variety), and there's a lot of overlap / it's the same skills for both.

I did those A levels back in the day - I didn't find physics much of a jump from GCSE to A level (I'd say chem was the most, then bio), but that was mostly because I was fine with all the maths and had covered all the mechanics in further maths already. Bio was a lot of content, but interesting.

Like wired said, this is a science-based combination. If you want to open your options more, I'd say keep both the maths, and switch out bio for history or something like that (double maths is good for economics etc, and chemistry is useful for many biology-adjacent degrees, so physics might be the way to go).

The workload for maths and further maths depends a lot on how you find the content and is more variable per individual than e.g. biology (a lot of work for everyone, as lots of content, and often mark-scheme-specific wording is needed).

You should be fine to do FM with a 7/8 at GCSE, as long as you understand the fundamental concepts, as maths is one of those subjects that builds a lot on those, and GCSE knowledge will be assumed as a pre requisite (and being able to do basic stuff quickly and accurately will help a lot). For what it's worth, I think I spent more time on bio than on all my other A levels combined, just because I didn't really need to "learn" anything for maths/FM and physics was just concepts, not details, but that's something that will vary a lot.

For a lot of these A level questions, it's difficult to say without knowing the person asking, as it varies so much by individual what combinations work and how people manage the workload, and it doesn't always correlate with GCSE results.
Reply 8
Original post by elise.15
ive been applying to sixth forms recently to do maths, further maths, biology and physics for a levels but im not sure if i should change my choices? im on a high 7 / low 8 for maths and 9 for both bio and physics, is the workload going to be too much - especially for maths? im not entirely sure what i want to do after leaving school so would it be better to do another subject and keep my options open? or will these keep them open?

Definitely do 4 A-Levels, at least for the start of Year 12, but only do Further Maths if you genuinely love the subject and are committed to doing something related to it at uni. Plenty of Biology/Physics adjacent courses do require/want it.

Further Maths is still an excellent course designed for people who are passionate about Maths and probably have a grade 9 at GCSE (would be helpful to get there)

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