A-Level Physics

Do you have to take 4 subjects? If not then whats your rationale behind wanting to do 4?
I did a term of a level physics and my impression was that its content-wise similar to gcse physics and also as level maths. You learn more about why things work how they work which can take time to get your head round but in terms of volume of content theres not as much as a subject like biology. I was working at a B despite having a good understanding of the content- i put this down to a lack of exam question practice.

So we're going to be choosing our A-Level options soon (I think in Feb) and I was considering A-Level Physics as my 4th option. The other 3 are most probably Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Wanted to ask how is A-Level Physics? I only know a girl who's doing it in our school and she's currently working on a Grade B and everyone else says that Physics A-Level is extremely hard. So if there are any of you doing it, could you help me out?

My mock grades for Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology were 9, 9, 8 and a high 7 respectively. Our school requires us to get a 7 at least in these subjects if we want to choose them for our A-Levels.

No I don't, but I really love Physics as a subject itself. The thing is, I'm unsure what course I want to do for uni... some courses I'm looking at require physics and chemistry, while the others require biology and some require math. Hopefully I settle on which course or what career I'm pursuing in the future but for now I just wanted to have a wide angle of things.
Oh I see... maybe I'll try speaking to the teachers in my school about it as well! But for the rest, thanks for just helping me out with this!

Most of the lessons and questions contains calculations and deduction of formulas, but of course physical laws and theories are also a part of them, but mathematical aspects the most. To give you a picture, it is a mixed bowl of these things.
Best of luck no matter whether you decide to take this A level or not.

It’s fine to be unsure about what you want to do in the future 🙂 My suggestion would be to apply for all 4 courses and see how it goes. It may be worth exploring your interests over your long summer and seeing if that makes your aspirations clearer- it might not and that’s fine too! You could always study all 4 until you decide which doesn’t suit your interests and then drop one. Best of luck with your GCSEs!

Yeah, I think I'll consider doing that! I've heard that our career counsellor will be taking us this week to help us choose our A-Levels, so I might discuss this with her as well! Thank you!

Ah I see! I'm fine with the calculations and everything... I think I'll see how well I'll be able to get my head around the concepts! But thanks!

That is the right attitude. You are not obliged to take it. And if it is not a compulsory subject, don't take it when you can't grasp the concepts. I can name the main topics in A levels, if you like.

Sure, if you don't mind 😅

I don't, it is a pleasure to me.
- Mechanics and Materials
- Electricity
- Waves
- Particles and Radiation
- Fields
- Thermodynamics
These are the main topics you take when you decide to choice physics at this level.

Haha thank you so much for this! Gave me a brief idea of what I would be doing for my A Levels - if I'm taking A Level Physics
Most people say that the A Level sciences mainly just build up on your GCSE knowledge (obviously a lot more in greater depth)

I agree, the only new subject introduce at A levels is the one about paeticles and radiation. That was not familiar to me at GCSE. But if you had taken GCSE chemistry before (like me), it will not be a big issue for you to understand the concepts behind the lessons and it is manageable.

So we're going to be choosing our A-Level options soon (I think in Feb) and I was considering A-Level Physics as my 4th option. The other 3 are most probably Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Wanted to ask how is A-Level Physics? I only know a girl who's doing it in our school and she's currently working on a Grade B and everyone else says that Physics A-Level is extremely hard. So if there are any of you doing it, could you help me out?
My mock grades for Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology were 9, 9, 8 and a high 7 respectively. Our school requires us to get a 7 at least in these subjects if we want to choose them for our A-Levels.

If you thought GCSE physics was overly simplistic or didn’t go into enough depth or wasn’t mathematical enough, A level physics might be a great choice. It gets a lot more maths-heavy at A level, and there is an increased focus on derivations.
It’s incredibly fun, but difficult. The questions are not straightforward like at GCSE and some of the concepts are much harder to grasp. You really do need a very strong understanding of the content, as well as the skills to apply your knowledge (exam technique) to get an A/A*.
So to answer your question: A level physics is very difficult but very fun.

Oh okay!
Although, I wouldn't call GCSE physics overly simplistic for myself. I find it challenging enough but easier than biology and chemistry.
Thank you so much for this though! I'll see how it goes!

So we're going to be choosing our A-Level options soon (I think in Feb) and I was considering A-Level Physics as my 4th option. The other 3 are most probably Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
Wanted to ask how is A-Level Physics? I only know a girl who's doing it in our school and she's currently working on a Grade B and everyone else says that Physics A-Level is extremely hard. So if there are any of you doing it, could you help me out?
My mock grades for Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology were 9, 9, 8 and a high 7 respectively. Our school requires us to get a 7 at least in these subjects if we want to choose them for our A-Levels.

Sorry, I didn’t mean that GCSE physics is easy at all! I meant the models and assumptions used, i.e. the lack of depth. For example, not being told where certain equations come from or why things are the way they are.
One example I can think of is the formula for work done and moments.The work done formula in GCSE (if I remember correctly!) is force x distance. The formula to calculate a moment is also force x distance. Yet of course, we know they’re not the same quantity! A level physics goes further into this and talks about how one is a scalar product whereas the other is a vector product.
Please don’t think you will struggle with A level physics if you find GCSE physics challenging, that isn’t what I meant at all! Best of luck for GCSEs

it's a really difficult subject. im not going to lie to you. its top 5 hardest for a reason.
i love physics but sometimes it makes me want to cry, and its really hard now (year 13)
so the question is if you can handle it? i mean it seems like you can- you got a 9 in the mock