Are GCSEs I’m not taking for A-levels that important?

I intend to take 3 subjects at A-Levels- Business, French and English Literature so does it matter what I get in my other GCSEs that much apart from like a decent grade(4,5,6) as long as I pass. Would it be necessary to do well in Maths and science if I’m doing a -levels since I’m currently at a grade 4-5 in them.

Reply 1

Syed998

12

Original post by Epicallyaws

I intend to take 3 subjects at A-Levels- Business, French and English Literature so does it matter what I get in my other GCSEs that much apart from like a decent grade(4,5,6) as long as I pass. Would it be necessary to do well in Maths and science if I’m doing a -levels since I’m currently at a grade 4-5 in them.

Defo. Just as long as u pass then it’s fine. Just about the entry requirements for the subjects u wanna do that count.
Good if u got higher grades for everything though anyway, incase if u change ur mind

Reply 2

AJW31

5

Original post by Epicallyaws

I intend to take 3 subjects at A-Levels- Business, French and English Literature so does it matter what I get in my other GCSEs that much apart from like a decent grade(4,5,6) as long as I pass. Would it be necessary to do well in Maths and science if I’m doing a -levels since I’m currently at a grade 4-5 in them.

I'm in year 11 myself, based on what you said it honestly depends what your college requires, for me I'm doing english lit, politics and law at alevel and for english I need a 6 in english lit and for politicians and law a 5 in english language, I only need a pass in maths and then since I'll will have already passed 3 subjects ( maths and both english's) I only need to pass two more subjects, so honestly I'd recommend going to your colleges website, see what they say, email them maybe or go to an open evening and ask them there and then

Sorry for the essay lol

Reply 3

PinkMobilePhone

Chat Forum Helper, Life & Style Forum Helper

22

Unless you want to go to Oxford when you eventually go to uni, generally speaking basic passes are fine for most of your GCSE subjects, as long as you do well in the subjects you're taking for A Level.
Double check your college's entry requirements though, but I'd be surprised if they want anything other than that.

Reply 4

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

11

Original post by Epicallyaws

I intend to take 3 subjects at A-Levels- Business, French and English Literature so does it matter what I get in my other GCSEs that much apart from like a decent grade(4,5,6) as long as I pass. Would it be necessary to do well in Maths and science if I’m doing a -levels since I’m currently at a grade 4-5 in them.

Hey @Epicallyaws,

It's a good idea to prioritise revision towards the subjects you intend to study further; however, I would recommend double-checking if any of the universities you might distantly be considering at this stage have a minimum GCSE Maths grade requirement. For many courses, it'll likely just be a standard pass - however I know some universities (such as UCL, which asks for a 5) might require a grade or two higher depending on their own course/university entry requirements.

Best of luck with your GCSEs!
Eve (Kingston Rep).

Reply 5

Gravity0

11

From my experience, the sixth forms and colleges around me wanted at least grade 6 in the subject I wanted to take, and also a grade 6 in either English lang or maths (depending on if it was a science or humanity subject eg. History I needed either history 6 and English lang 6 or English lang 6)

Also it can be subject specific what grades matter and not at GCSE — I took history, English lit and economics, but I got a 5 in my maths, 6 in English lit and 8 in history at GCSE. I now find economics my easiest subject, and English lit my hardest.

Your grades won’t reflect how well you know a subject, but it may be applied by colleges and sixth forms for how well you understand the subject related to the one you want to study for a levels. They simply just need to put a barrier to incentivise students to do better and to help them understand subjects relevant to those “needed” to study your preferred subject at a level. But if you’re lucky, you can find plenty of places that don’t care so much about grades and get in easy. Just work hard at a levels though — it’s tricky!!

Reply 6

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

7

Original post by Epicallyaws

I intend to take 3 subjects at A-Levels- Business, French and English Literature so does it matter what I get in my other GCSEs that much apart from like a decent grade(4,5,6) as long as I pass. Would it be necessary to do well in Maths and science if I’m doing a -levels since I’m currently at a grade 4-5 in them.

Hi there!

As long as you meet the entry requirements to get into your chosen Sixth Form, AND meet the entry requirements for the A-Levels you want to do, you should be fine!

Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Reply 7

Epicallyaws

OP

5

Original post by Kingston Jenifer

Hi there!
As long as you meet the entry requirements to get into your chosen Sixth Form, AND meet the entry requirements for the A-Levels you want to do, you should be fine!
Kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston rep)

Thanks for replying It’s definitely helped along with the other replies

Are GCSEs I’m not taking for A-levels that important?

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