How hard is A level maths realistically

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

Reply 1

m.juni

3

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

hi, im wanting to do the exact same things as you i am also in year 11 but not at that good of grades as yours im working at 6-6 in combined science and a 6 in maths ive decided not to do maths and i am doing sociology or phycology instead i spoke to some people in the medicine profession and they said to me maths isn't really a requirement but will give you a better chance so i think you should stick with biology chemistry and maths as you have a good grades that can help you :smile:

Reply 2

Y12EC

12

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

It's honestly not that hard, infact, I'd say it can easily become the easiest a level to revise out of the options you're picking. I'm unsure about other exam boards, but I did edexcel. What I can say is that if you're doing edexcel maths for a level, the majority of year 12 content isn't really much of a step up from GCSE. The reason I say it can easily be the easiest a level to revise is because the content you learn is much easier to apply in past papers/the real exam. The method/topic for the majority of questions are easily recognisable compared to science based subjects where understanding of concepts is much more key as questions can be worded in a million different ways, where as maths questions can be a bit more lenient and straight forward. As for if you should take maths or not, I say you definitely should. Maths is definitely one of the most versatile/useful A-levels and opens up a large range of degrees you could possibly study (in case you decide to not pursue medicine later down the line). In some cases, taking maths can also make you stand out to certain universities, and is even a requirement to take if you're looking to apply to Cambridge. Of course this may be different for you but, the majority of people who take maths and chemistry at A-level find chemistry to be way harder, so if you think you find chemistry easier, definitely take maths.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

Depends how good you are at maths.

I'd note though you don't need A-level Maths to do medicine, and you don't need your third A-level subject to be a STEM subject at all except for Cambridge.

So if you do better in other subjects, just pick anything else as your third A-level.

Reply 4

lianarainforest

5

I'm talking from personal experience, I struggled a bit with the transition from a GCSE to a level maths because I was so used to doing well so easily I didn't know how to revise for it. But if you're willing to put in the work go for it.

You should be aware that there is an applied paper you have to sit which is made up of mechanics (basically physics) and statistics. If you're weak on those and think you'll struggle, maybe take that into account.

Another thing is, maths isn't a requirement for many universities now to study medicine, there are plenty of people who chose different third options and have managed to get in to their unis. They've chosen everything from psychology to economics. If you feel like you would do better in those subjects and would enjoy them more then that's also another option for you.

Wish you all the best!

Reply 5

Ethyl ethanoate

OP

4

Original post by Y12EC

It's honestly not that hard, infact, I'd say it can easily become the easiest a level to revise out of the options you're picking. I'm unsure about other exam boards, but I did edexcel. What I can say is that if you're doing edexcel maths for a level, the majority of year 12 content isn't really much of a step up from GCSE. The reason I say it can easily be the easiest a level to revise is because the content you learn is much easier to apply in past papers/the real exam. The method/topic for the majority of questions are easily recognisable compared to science based subjects where understanding of concepts is much more key as questions can be worded in a million different ways, where as maths questions can be a bit more lenient and straight forward. As for if you should take maths or not, I say you definitely should. Maths is definitely one of the most versatile/useful A-levels and opens up a large range of degrees you could possibly study (in case you decide to not pursue medicine later down the line). In some cases, taking maths can also make you stand out to certain universities, and is even a requirement to take if you're looking to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. Of course this may be different for you but, the majority of people who take maths and chemistry at A-level find chemistry to be way harder, so if you think you find chemistry easier, definitely take maths.

Thankyou so much that really did help :biggrin:

Reply 6

Ethyl ethanoate

OP

4

Original post by m.juni

hi, im wanting to do the exact same things as you i am also in year 11 but not at that good of grades as yours im working at 6-6 in combined science and a 6 in maths ive decided not to do maths and i am doing sociology or phycology instead i spoke to some people in the medicine profession and they said to me maths isn't really a requirement but will give you a better chance so i think you should stick with biology chemistry and maths as you have a good grades that can help you :smile:

We can do it :smile:

)

Reply 7

Kallisto

Entertainment Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

22

It is one of the hardest, but doable subjects at this grade. But I am out of school for many years, @DerDracologe instead is currently in year 12 and took mathematics at A levels. Ask him.

Reply 8

Bjdjd

5

It's is very hard alone, but when you have A level further math with you, normal A level math becomes children's play, so I recommend it if and only if ymath is your top 2 subjects in high school.

Reply 9

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

If youre currently getting a 7 then starting a level should be manageable but try to improve over the summer if possible. The first half term of a level is pretty much just reviewing harder gcse topics like trig and transformations and stuff before anything gets built onto. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂

Reply 10

Ethyl ethanoate

OP

4

Thnks guysss

Reply 11

Divinebandit

11

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

A lot of my friends who applied to medicine did 4 A Levels and then dropped the one they were weaker at. Definitely do Biology, Chemistry of course, Maths and another subject like Psychology, English, Economics etc and keep the one you are best at. For med, it doesn't matter that much what your third A Level is (they do prefer facilitating or 'harder' A Level of course) as long as you get the grade they are asking for in it. I am recommending this so you don't feel trapped with the A Level Maths, as some people really struggle with it even thosewho got 7s, 8s and 9s at GCSE. Most colleges do allow you to switch subject within the first half term too, but taking 4 A Levels will allow you drop an A Level anytime in the year.

A Level maths requires a lot of practice and time while GCSE Maths doesn't to the same extent at all. If you don't really love maths, it will make it tough for you to have the motivation to revise and that will make it particularly hard for you to get a high grade.

I wish you the best and good luck with your GCSEs!

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 12

spreeder

5

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

As a year 12, it's been fairly easy so far. Graphing calculators help a lot.

Reply 13

nwar

Study Forum Helper

13

Original post by spreeder

As a year 12, it's been fairly easy so far. Graphing calculators help a lot.

Glad you're enjoying maths : ) I do want to say though - the jump from Y12 to Y13 is a lot, lot worse than the Y11 to Y12 jump : (

Y12 is mainly GCSE content + basic differentiation and integration. If you've done GCSE further maths, there's almost nothing new except intro to integration. Y13 integration is hell and the content becomes A LOT more difficult. Don't get complacent in the earlier parts of the maths course (like I did)!!

Reply 14

POL_eM4TH

4

Just stay on top of your A Level work

Reply 15

klafow

14

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

it’s hard if you don’t like maths, coming from a current yr 13 maths student who doesn’t like maths. if you put in the work it shouldn’t be too difficult to get an A/A* though, but of course everyone’s different

Reply 16

Peter Adams PA

8

This is my personal opinion. I’ve seen people get 6 at GCSE who get predicted A* in maths and go on to get either an A or A*. Honestly if you’re getting a 7 and 8 in GCSE maths you should be fine. Almost every student I know that does 3 stem subjects, they get A* in mathematics or the highest grade comes In maths. I’ve seen many people struggle with biology or physics because the application is quite hard as maths it’s just the same method each time and there is more of a positive correlation between practising exam questions to scores. Maths is also more satisfying than other subjects as when you get a tricky question right, there’s a much better feeling than getting one in another subject for me. I have seen people get A* in maths and further maths but B in biology and Physics. A level Maths also hands out the highest percentage of A* and A compared to other A Levels. Another reason why maths may benefit you for medicine even though you don’t need it, is for like UCAT and interviews. It’s a section in the UCAT and a lot of unis May ask you stats related questions in your interviews. I know someone who got near all 9’s at GCSE, but they took geography instead of maths at A Level and he got 2450 on his UCAT as he fully flopped the maths section. Yes you do not need maths but in my opinion most people I know say maths is their easiest a level and they simply enjoy revising it compared to others. But the biggest point for you should be DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT FOR YOU, don’t pick maths simply because I’ve listed all these arguments, do it because it’s the subject you want to study and that you think will find comfortable. If you are better suited for Spanish or religious studies or whatever then that’s fine, everybody is different and you don’t want to regret picking an A Level as that’s me with physics, please do what you feel is right for you.

Reply 17

goaway1239846

5

Original post by Ethyl ethanoate

Hi

I'm currently in year 11 I want to biology chemistry and maths for a level
I want to pursue medicine
My sciences are quite strong I was 1 mark off a 9 in Chem and 2 marks off a 9 in biology in my mocks
However I feel like my maths is a bit iffy I was 7 marks of an 8 in maths. I am more than happy to work very hard
but What should I actually do

Dependent on exam board tbh but the exam boards I did, maths was objectively way harder than chemistry which was literally all memorisation.
I’ve seen people with comfortable grade 9s struggle with a level maths but also people with lower grades get a*s in further maths… so depends a lot on how hard you’re willing to work imo.
(Off piste: I genuinely thought the questions in single maths were harder (more thinking outside the box) than the ones in further maths when I sat the exams… and I got notably higher marks in further maths than single.)

Reply 18

klafow

14

Original post by goaway1239846

Dependent on exam board tbh but the exam boards I did, maths was objectively way harder than chemistry which was literally all memorisation.
I’ve seen people with comfortable grade 9s struggle with a level maths but also people with lower grades get a*s in further maths… so depends a lot on how hard you’re willing to work imo.
(Off piste: I genuinely thought the questions in single maths were harder (more thinking outside the box) than the ones in further maths when I sat the exams… and I got notably higher marks in further maths than single.)

i hear that a lot too! my friends doing further sometimes get lower marks on the single papers 😭

Reply 19

nwar

Study Forum Helper

13

Original post by klafow

i hear that a lot too! my friends doing further sometimes get lower marks on the single papers 😭

Original post by goaway1239846

Dependent on exam board tbh but the exam boards I did, maths was objectively way harder than chemistry which was literally all memorisation.
I’ve seen people with comfortable grade 9s struggle with a level maths but also people with lower grades get a*s in further maths… so depends a lot on how hard you’re willing to work imo.
(Off piste: I genuinely thought the questions in single maths were harder (more thinking outside the box) than the ones in further maths when I sat the exams… and I got notably higher marks in further maths than single.)

Which exam board do you guys do? I have to admit that I don’t relate to this at all nor do I know anyone who does 🥲 we do edexcel for both maths and further maths

How hard is A level maths realistically

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