5 Advanced highers

2

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

Reply 1

8

Is there any particular reason you would like to do 5 Advanced Highers? It is maybe possible if you keep up with all your classes but the workload will be very heavy. I don't believe there are any universities which require 5 Advanced Highers.

Reply 2

OnlySmartOneHere

11

There is no need to do this. The most advanced highers you'd ever be asked for is three - and that's only if you're applying to medicine or veterinary medicine. Most university courses don't require advanced highers at all, or only advise that you take one depending on what degree you choose (e.g. AdvH Maths if you go to do a Maths course at uni) - but even them advising it does not mean you wouldn't get in without it.

I'm not even going to sugarcoat this. It is near-impossible. You will almost certainly struggle to keep your grades up unless you're some miraculously smart and incredibly productive individual. It is not worth it whatsoever. It will be incredibly difficult - especially since they're all STEM subjects.

My advice? Pick three AdvHs maximum to ensure you get good grades in them. No one will care about you taking five AdvHs if you fail them or get Ds.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

rgergerg525

OP

2

The course I wish to take requires at least 4As, and some applicants from the past have achieved 5A* in A-level. Doing five advanced higher would give me an edge over most applicants with 4 A-levels or the equivalent. I believe I could cope with doing all of the sciences and pure maths; I am just unsure if adding mechanics into the mix would compromise my other subjects.

Reply 4

OnlySmartOneHere

11

Original post

by rgergerg525

The course I wish to take requires at least 4As, and some applicants from the past have achieved 5A* in A-level. Doing five advanced higher would give me an edge over most applicants with 4 A-levels or the equivalent. I believe I could cope with doing all of the sciences and pure maths; I am just unsure if adding mechanics into the mix would compromise my other subjects.

Ah, see I was assuming you would be applying to a Scottish university, hence my comment on not needing AdvHs. If you don't mind me asking, what course are you applying to and where?

If you have a careers advisor or something similar in school then I think you should talk to them about this. While it may seem like taking 5 AdvHs will give you the edge over students with 4 A-levels, it would probably be better to just take 4 so you can be sure that you'll do well in them. I'm guessing the degree you're going for is competitive, in which case I'd also try and get experience in whatever it is as when there's x number of candidates applying for the same degree as you with the same grades it's experience that will really set you apart from the rest.

Reply 5

klevni

5

Original post

by rgergerg525

The course I wish to take requires at least 4As, and some applicants from the past have achieved 5A* in A-level. Doing five advanced higher would give me an edge over most applicants with 4 A-levels or the equivalent. I believe I could cope with doing all of the sciences and pure maths; I am just unsure if adding mechanics into the mix would compromise my other subjects.

where tf are you applying

Reply 6

imxa6

Study Forum Helper

14

There is no scenario ever where you would need 5 AHs - there is no way that you would be able to achieve the best possible grades while taking it. 4 AHs is still pushing it. The maximum you need to apply to England is 3; most unis do not consider more than 3 A-Levels/AHs. The other two AHs are a huge huge amount of work; you are completely underestimating the work load. Most people in England take an EPQ for a year along with 3 A-Levels, hence their 4 A-Levels

Reply 7

rgergerg525

OP

2

Original post

by klevni

where tf are you applying

I am applying to medicine at HKU and CUHK

Reply 8

jasmineva3128

16

Original post

by rgergerg525

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

I understand why you want to do this, and I understand why others are sceptical.

I've never heard of or met someone who has taken 5 Advanced Higher's, but that is not to say it isn't possible.

People tend to say that 3/4 Advanced Higher's are hard enough, but it's not anyone else's place to decide that you couldn't cope with 5.

If you've gotten great grades in your Highers and are determined to work hard, I'd fight to take 5 - and if your school say no, then fight for 4. If your school only let's you take 3 or 4, you could always ask to self study one at home.

It's your choice, so don't let anyone else tell you what you can and can't do.

Reply 9

barrelmarble3

9

I sit 4 and if i really wanted to could’ve done statistics as my fifth. I do maths, physics , chem and mechanics. I finished mechanics in roughly 2 months the course isn’t that long and unit 3 is just calculus from regular maths. Your biggest problem would be the three projects from 3 sciences they take up a lot of time. Imo if you’re applying to med i’d leave physics and do the other 4, physics project is outrageous and you receive very little support from teachers iirc mines currently about 40 pages long, not finished and i started in december.

Reply 10

imxa6

Study Forum Helper

14

Original post

by barrelmarble3

I sit 4 and if i really wanted to could’ve done statistics as my fifth. I do maths, physics , chem and mechanics. I finished mechanics in roughly 2 months the course isn’t that long and unit 3 is just calculus from regular maths. Your biggest problem would be the three projects from 3 sciences they take up a lot of time. Imo if you’re applying to med i’d leave physics and do the other 4, physics project is outrageous and you receive very little support from teachers iirc mines currently about 40 pages long, not finished and i started in december.

Out of curiosity - is mechanics difficult?

Reply 11

barrelmarble3

9

Original post

by imxa6

Out of curiosity - is mechanics difficult?

I wouldn’t say it’s that hard, my main tip for it would be that when you’re getting shown the derivations for every equation, make sure you understand how and why it happens. I find it much easier as I know how to derive all the equations instead of just jumping to the complete equation, it makes much more sense what equation you should use if you know where it comes from.

Reply 12

_0Andi0_

3

Original post

by rgergerg525

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

Technically? It is physically possible. There was a girl in the year above me that did 6, all As, which is incredible. However, the workload was clearly too much. She spent every second she could in school, until they literally kicked her out in the evenings. She would fall asleep in class, and actually ended up keeping spare clothes there. She put in all this effort and didn’t even get into Cambridge. I would say avoid it if you can, do the bare minimum qualifications, but get relevant experience in your subject outside school. Good luck!

Reply 13

Zoloto44

6

Original post

by rgergerg525

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

Yeah it’s possible but there’s no point except for it being a flex. Or you just really like the subjects idk.

Reply 14

username7198038

3

Original post

by rgergerg525

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

u literally dont need 5 advanced highers. 3 is the max incase u flop one but u dont need 5. ur gonna end up hating urself

Reply 15

StephenUjunwa

13

You aren't doing ts buddy

Reply 16

StephenUjunwa

13

Original post

by rgergerg525

The course I wish to take requires at least 4As, and some applicants from the past have achieved 5A* in A-level. Doing five advanced higher would give me an edge over most applicants with 4 A-levels or the equivalent. I believe I could cope with doing all of the sciences and pure maths; I am just unsure if adding mechanics into the mix would compromise my other subjects.

Yeah and almost no one does it because 1. Universities don't weigh it any higher 2. Most times it's a language and no unis literally wouldn't care I know someone who did 7 over 2 years and he had like 4A* 3A and didn't get into top American unis like csltech cause they don't care
If anything you can do 4 cause I'm doing 4 but only cause it's mechanics. The same way doing 4 alevels is common with furthermaths. How picking a science is a very stupid thing to do because of the practical which is 60% of ur grade and the theory aspect which is borderline 1st year uni content

Reply 17

StephenUjunwa

13

Original post

by jasmineva3128

I understand why you want to do this, and I understand why others are sceptical.
I've never heard of or met someone who has taken 5 Advanced Higher's, but that is not to say it isn't possible.
People tend to say that 3/4 Advanced Higher's are hard enough, but it's not anyone else's place to decide that you couldn't cope with 5.
If you've gotten great grades in your Highers and are determined to work hard, I'd fight to take 5 - and if your school say no, then fight for 4. If your school only let's you take 3 or 4, you could always ask to self study one at home.
It's your choice, so don't let anyone else tell you what you can and can't do.

This is a bogus opinion and you clearly don't know the nature of advanced highers

Reply 18

some1some1

8

Original post

by rgergerg525

I want to know if it's possible to achieve 5 As; I plan to do maths, chemistry, physics, biology, and mechanics.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/number_of_pupils_attaining_a_ban#incoming-2726429 here are statistics on how many people took 5+ advanced highers and their attainment in such. (13 people in 2024, nobody achieved 5 A1s, however a few achieved 5 As) I recommend you look at their numbers yourself to gauge your opinion.

Reply 19

jasmineva3128

16

How many Advanced Highers did you end up taking?

5 Advanced highers

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