Is doing maths a-level early bad for top unis?

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

Depends what do you get in maths. Doing four is always a disadvantage so I think you should drop one of the other three if you can

How is doing 4 always a disadvantage?
As long as you get the grades then there is no issue.
Quite a few 6th forms do it where people doing both do maths in year 12 and further maths in year 13.

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

unis like A*AA more than AAAA so you shouldn't waste your time doing 4 instead of 3

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

unis like A*AA more than AAAA so you shouldn't waste your time doing 4 instead of 3

Depends what do you get in maths. Doing four is always a disadvantage so I think you should drop one of the other three if you can

It can be a disadvantage if you're only doing 3 A-levels (i.e. maths/FM/something else) and you do maths in year 12, and thus only take exams for 2 of your A-levels in year 13. Some universities/courses want to see that you have taken a full set of exams for 3 A-levels in one sitting - in which case if your school offers maths as described, you would need to plan to take 4.
This is true, although for universities/courses which don't accept less than 3 A-levels worth of exams in one sitting you rule yourself out of applying there entirely by not doing 4 so one would be forced to take 4 realistically in that case.
As far as admissions purposes goes, taking 4 certainly doesn't confer an advantage (no bonus points for extra A-levels) but a lack of an advantage doesn't necessarily imply a disadvantage.
Technically speaking it's only a disadvantage if taking 4 would overstretch the candidate and they'd get weaker grades across the board. Granted I think that is quite common and so it's not generally recommended, although alongside maths/FM is probably the most reasonable time to take a 4th due to the synergy between those two subjects.
In this specific case though OP may need to plan around taking 4 if they wish to take FM or limit some of their potential options.

I am taking 4, I won't drop one, and I'm not worried about my grades. I'm just worried about a phrase from the LSE website 'we prefer students who have achieved high grades in their first attempt (and in one sitting)'. Does this refer to retakes or also people who have done it an exam a year early, and do other unis share this sentiment?

If you get an A* in year 12, you're in the best possible position, you have an actual exam to prove your high grade instead of just a predicted.
If you get an A in year 12, I imagine it's still workable but they'll be doubting if you can get an A* in further maths, since it's very difficult unless you're already obliterating regular maths in year 12.
Get less than an A in year 12 and it's joever.

I am taking 4, I won't drop one, and I'm not worried about my grades. I'm just worried about a phrase from the LSE website 'we prefer students who have achieved high grades in their first attempt (and in one sitting)'. Does this refer to retakes or also people who have done it an exam a year early, and do other unis share this sentiment?

So in my school if you pick further maths you do maths at the end of year 12 (I'm doing it in a few weeks). Is this a disadvantage for top unis - apparently some want you to do all your A-levels at once? I'll still be taking 3 A-levels (inc. fm) at the end of year 13.

Sorry of my wording. doing 4 means you have less time to revise the other subjects and you are basically learning a 2 year qualification in 1 year (further maths) so that you place yourself in a disadvantage by doing 2 other subjects

unis like A*AA more than AAAA so you shouldn't waste your time doing 4 instead of 3

Completely wrong if two of the four are Maths/FMaths.

How so?