A-level predicted grades and dropping subjects

9

I'm at the end of year 12 and I've done bio, chem, maths and fm all year. Based on mock results I've been predicted A*A*A* in bio chem Maths and a B in fm even though we've barely started the content for it yet (and id say its going well so far). If my teacher refuses to bring the grade up, should I drop fm to strengthen a bioNatSci application for cambridge and just waste a year of work. My GCSEs also weren't straight 8s and 9s or anything so it feels to me like I need those 4A*s predicted to stand out. Our maths and fm predicted grades are also partly based on our mock results where in maths I got 236/300 on edexcel and using last years grade boundaries that was an A (we just did a set of A-level maths papers). Any advice would be appreciated cause I'm really torn on what to do

Reply 1

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

20

@Admit-One @McGinger @artful_lounger

Reply 2

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

21

This is a difficult personal choice.

A predicted B in FM is unlikely to add much to an application, (presuming you're applying to pretty competitive unis/subjects), but it wont be a hindrance either. However the same is true if you commit to doing it and end up with a B.

I'd be inclined to focus on the other three subjects, but it's worth speaking to your Maths teacher and see what you could do to bump it up to an A. It's worth noting however that there are some unis/courses that would expect you to take FM if it is available at your school.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by MewTube288

I'm at the end of year 12 and I've done bio, chem, maths and fm all year. Based on mock results I've been predicted A*A*A* in bio chem Maths and a B in fm even though we've barely started the content for it yet (and id say its going well so far). If my teacher refuses to bring the grade up, should I drop fm to strengthen a bioNatSci application for cambridge and just waste a year of work. My GCSEs also weren't straight 8s and 9s or anything so it feels to me like I need those 4A*s predicted to stand out. Our maths and fm predicted grades are also partly based on our mock results where in maths I got 236/300 on edexcel and using last years grade boundaries that was an A (we just did a set of A-level maths papers). Any advice would be appreciated cause I'm really torn on what to do

Assuming you'd be doing the A-level Maths exam at the end of year 13 alongside your other subjects, I'd suggest just dropping FM. It's not as immediately necessary for biological sciences generally, and you won't necessarily "stand out" more for having 4 A*s vs 3 A*s for Cambridge natsci because they don't use such a simplistic and reductive mechanism for assessing applicants...

Cambridge above all unis has such a surplus of information including admissions assessments, the SAQ, interview, etc, with which to differentiate applicants, I can't see any situation where they would make a decision on the basis whether an applicant did 3 or 4 A-levels (even if they weren't likely to avoid doing that in the first place to avoid disadvantaging students going to schools which can't offer 4 A-levels...).

Also it's not a "wasted" year even if you don't take the qualification. You hopefully actually did learn something this past year other than how to sit an A-level exam, and so if you come across e.g. complex numbers or matrix algebra in future you are equipped to deal with those (or at least recognise it and know where to start looking for more information to handle it even if you don't remember the particulars).

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

You could sit the AS in fm..,, but not sure if that helps re Cambridge application. It’s not an expectation that you have four A levels, but I’m sure they mention this in their application page

A-level predicted grades and dropping subjects

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