3 A-level or 4 A-level

11

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.

Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

Reply 1

pagan-scimitar

14

What do you want to do at uni? It's generally not advisable to do 4, unless one is further maths (or if you just really enjoy all your subjects)

Reply 2

McGinger

20

No University requires 4 A levels, nor do you get any extra 'clever' credit for doing this.
If anything you just risk all your grades by not having enough time or energy to do any of it properly.
Remember, AAA will always look better that ABBB - and that could cost you a Uni place.

Reply 3

anonomouse888

13

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

I did 5 to start and dropped 4 very quickly (bio, chem, lit and philosophy). It's definitely possible to do 4 but STEM takes a lot of work unless you're SERIOUSLY gifted. You can definitely do 4, and people at my sixth form have (most dropped one at AS though) its very possible and you sound dedicated but no uni asks for 4 and be careful because sometimes unis who would only ask for AAA, ask for AAAA if they know you're doing 4, so it might be slightly unnecessary pressure. out of interest, what are your future plans?

Reply 4

Andrea_18

OP

11

Original post

by anonomouse888

I did 5 to start and dropped 4 very quickly (bio, chem, lit and philosophy). It's definitely possible to do 4 but STEM takes a lot of work unless you're SERIOUSLY gifted. You can definitely do 4, and people at my sixth form have (most dropped one at AS though) its very possible and you sound dedicated but no uni asks for 4 and be careful because sometimes unis who would only ask for AAA, ask for AAAA if they know you're doing 4, so it might be slightly unnecessary pressure. out of interest, what are your future plans?

Thanks so much! I consider your reply. My future plans are being a General Surgeon and Forensic. Then, I aspire to do Biomedical Engineering also.

Reply 5

anonomouse888

13

Original post

by Andrea_18

Thanks so much! I consider your reply. My future plans are being a General Surgeon and Forensic. Then, I aspire to do Biomedical Engineering also.

okay so that sounds pretty competitive but in my experiences unis want someone whos done some different exciting work experience or volunteering to stand out rather than a 4th alevel but I'm not discouraging you from taking 4, just consider all the options

Reply 6

Andrea_18

OP

11

Original post

by anonomouse888

okay so that sounds pretty competitive but in my experiences unis want someone whos done some different exciting work experience or volunteering to stand out rather than a 4th alevel but I'm not discouraging you from taking 4, just consider all the options

Ohh okay okay! Thanks so much. So it is better just doing 3 A-levels that you know they will do for you, right? And do some work (part-time), volunteering…

Reply 7

Wired_1800

20

Original post

by Andrea_18

Ohh okay okay! Thanks so much. So it is better just doing 3 A-levels that you know they will do for you, right? And do some work (part-time), volunteering…

Better to do 3 with excellent grades than 4 with rubbish grades. I’d suggest Maths, Chemistry and Biology, if you want to be a surgeon.

Reply 8

anonomouse888

13

Original post

by Andrea_18

Ohh okay okay! Thanks so much. So it is better just doing 3 A-levels that you know they will do for you, right? And do some work (part-time), volunteering…

yes in my experience its better to stand out. loads of people do 4 alevels. i know imperial college particularly is not a fan of 4 alevels. you can still do 4. you wont be penalised for it but imo i would say doing some activity (work experiene, mooc, epq, tutoring, volunteering) might read better in a personal statement. have you asked your careers advisor?

Reply 9

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

11

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

Good Morning!

I did three A-Levels, biology, chemistry and English literature. Biology and Chemistry complimented each other and I found these very useful for my degree (medical biology). Most university offers consider 3 A-Levels only, and a fourth A-Level on top of that may be really stressful. It's a good idea to look at the uni's you want to apply to, and see their A-Level combinations and requirements. Also, consulting with your school careers advisor/head of year will also be helpful.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 10

arrogant-climber

9

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

I would recommend starting by doing the four. You can always drop one if you start to struggle too much, whilst its harder to start off doing three and then switch to doing four. I don't think its required for any universities to do four, but most people on my course seem to have done four anyway. If you study every day then you probably won't have any issue with doing four. Loads of people told me not to do four, but I didn't find it too much.

Reply 11

thegeek888

18

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

You should study A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. A-Level Physics is one of the hardest A-Levels after A-Level Further Maths?! ☹️

Reply 12

Andrea_18

OP

11

Original post

by thegeek888

You should study A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. A-Level Physics is one of the hardest A-Levels after A-Level Further Maths?! ☹️

How difficult?

Reply 13

Andrea_18

OP

11

Original post

by arrogant-climber

I would recommend starting by doing the four. You can always drop one if you start to struggle too much, whilst its harder to start off doing three and then switch to doing four. I don't think its required for any universities to do four, but most people on my course seem to have done four anyway. If you study every day then you probably won't have any issue with doing four. Loads of people told me not to do four, but I didn't find it too much.

Okay! Thanks so much. Many people told me "why physics!!??" "it is really difficult" ofc I know, but I think if I study every day like 3/4 hours as I used to do I think I could pass with a great grades, right?
So can I start doing 4 and if I start to struggle too much, when can I drop one ? One month later? or how?

Reply 14

arrogant-climber

9

Original post

by Andrea_18

Okay! Thanks so much. Many people told me "why physics!!??" "it is really difficult" ofc I know, but I think if I study every day like 3/4 hours as I used to do I think I could pass with a great grades, right?
So can I start doing 4 and if I start to struggle too much, when can I drop one ? One month later? or how?

I’m pretty sure you can drop the fourth one at any time before the exams start. It’s quite common for people to drop the fourth one after finishing year 12.

I don’t know how difficult Physics is because I didn’t take it, but I wouldn’t worry too much. I was told a similar thing about Chemistry, and I didn’t find that too bad. I think as long as you did well at GCSE Physics, and you are willing to spend lots of time on it, then I think you will probably be able to do really well in it.

Reply 15

NoodlesHJ

6

Original post

by andrea_18

hi there, i'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 a-level or 4 a-level. I'm super hard-working, i study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

three please girl trust okay???? Im dying.

Reply 16

thegeek888

18

Original post

by Andrea_18

How difficult?

Physics has always been the second most difficult A-Level after Further Maths.

My uncle studied Biology, Chemistry and Physics in the 1980s and got BBD (when hardly anybody got A grades).

However, his offer was BBC, so he was still accepted by UCL, London for Medicine. Also, back then, only 5 - 6 marks differentiated between A, B, C, D and E. ☹️

Because he did not study A-Level Maths he struggled with A-Level Physics.

But nowadays, there is a lot less Maths but still Mechanics is in A-Level Maths and A-Level Further Maths Mechanics papers. 😉

You sound like you will make a huge effort to master the topics in the A-Level specification. So, you could successfully manage A-Level Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology!!! 🙂

Just take a look at the Edexcel IAL and Edexcel past papers? (I presume, you're an IAL student, since you're based in Spain?) Or will you be taking AQA? WJEC? OCR? when you study here in UK? 😧

If you attempt every question published online, then there is no reason why you should not achieve an A* grade in Physics. 😉 https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/a-level-physics/

Good luck, Lady Andrea.

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 17

Samybz

4

My son is studying 4, I always advised him to study 3, he is doing maths, physics, geography and further maths.
He will be studying physics at uni, and most uni’s only take account of 3 a levels, except Birmingham, for 3 A levels his offer is A* AA for 4 it’s AAAA.
He has an offer from imperial A* A* A A
I don’t think the extra pressure of another A level is worth it, also uni’s don’t pick your best 3 results, they will have specific subject requirements.
I have gone blue in my face convincing my son to drop geography but he wants to see it through to the end.

Reply 18

nwar

Study Forum Helper

14

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

I do 4 and an EPQ (I’m in Y13 rn) but ONLY because I do genuinely love all my subjects and feel restless if I haven’t got something to do. You don’t need 4, but it does give you the opportunity to study a whole other subject, which is super cool if you like learning.

Reply 19

Needo -_-

1

Original post

by Andrea_18

Hi there, I'm wondering if you guys could tell me under your experience in sixth form if you recommend do 3 A-level or 4 A-level. I'm super hard-working, I study every single day... I would choose physics, chemistry, biology, and maths.
Please!!!! Tell me something!!!!!

Hey there,

If you want to go to university and have an idea of what course you might do, then you should start by checking their entry requirements. Usually biology is only needed for medicine/optometry, but that may not always be the case so double check.

Personally, I do not recommend doing all 3 sciences as they get vastly different and sometimes hard to cope with, even if you're hardworking. You could try taster sessions/explore the subjects further to narrow it down to 2.

If you are adamant on taking 4 A-levels, consider taking 2 sciences + math, and something else.
Psychology is especially popular (for stem students) as it is somewhat scientific, has stats and is a written subject all in one, But you could also take FM, or a random subject that you're interested in e.g. English or Politics.

Some colleges also offer EPQ or AS level FM which could be worth looking into if you feel that 3 A levels aren't enough.

Good luck and lmk if you have any other questions!! :smile:

3 A-level or 4 A-level

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