Can 1 BTEC and 2 A-levels be just as competitive as 3 A-levels (excluding Oxbridge)

Look at the entry requirements, some unis will ask for 3 a levels and some will allow combinations of qualifications/base offers on ucas points.
With regards the panic attack, maybe learn some relaxation techniques to calm yourself in exams. Do you have panic attacks outside of exams?

Hi I've accidentally deleted that account! Thank you for replying! The panic attack was a one time thing on that day. I would say the cause of it was due to a friend offering me a ride to school and as we were going to be late her dad might've driven quicker than usual. As soon as I got into the sixth form I threw up a bit but I still had to rush to go to my 3 hour exam. The teachers weren't any help as when my friend said that I was sick they were like "you're still late". I went into the exam hall and I was trembling but I thought I might just shrug it off. Then I tried drinking water and I nearly spilled it all over my paper due to shaking way too much. During that exam I went out twice. I was trying to adjust myself but my mind went blank as soon as I saw the paper although I knew what to do but couldn't physically write it down. That's when I walked out and refused to walk back in 😅. I do think I've had quite a few panic attacks this year but it wasn't as bad as this one. Sorry for this unnecessary information! Would you say that it's a downgrade from having 3 A-levels truthfully speaking?

No worries!
Sounds like a really difficult day, hope it doesn’t happen again!
If you experience a lot of anxiety in exams your school may be able to put rest breaks in place so you could take a break and then go back into the exam once youve calmed down.
It depends on your goals, it could limit your options but on the other hand if you were going to struggle with 3 a levels anyway it could be a good way to get good grades in subjects which suit you better.
@artful_lounger @McGinger @Admit-One

I'm actually pretty greatful to have maths being dropped but a bit gutted that I couldn't take another A-level as a replacement. So I'm planning to do accounting for uni and the subjects I'm taking are A-level economics, A-Level accounting and BTEC marketing. Would you say it is a strong combo as I'm not allowed to take 3 A-levels anymore? Also, could I put this down for my personal statement as it is a one year course in which I have 10 hours a week for which may potentially show I can adapt well if I was predicted a good grade? Thank you so much for replying to me!

Your PS isn't for writing about how much you study any particular qualification you're taking, it's for discussing your interest in the subject you're applying to.
Your combination is probably fine for many unis, there are a few (e.g. LSE) it probably isn't suitable for but for many it's fine. What did you get in GCSE Maths? Often accounting degrees that don't require A-level Maths require an A or a B in GCSE Maths. If maths isn't a strong point you may want to consider other courses than accounting.
That said if you are certain you want to be an accountant, realistically doing a degree apprenticeship is a much better way - as even if you do a degree, effectively the first two years of your graduate role are an apprenticeship while you do the professional exams etc, and once you qualify as an accountant they don't care which route you qualified through. Doing the degree apprenticeship would let you earn while getting your degree, and you'll also have a lot of relevant experience from doing the job during the whole period which will set you apart from recent grads.
However one thing to bear in mind is that accountancy as a profession does have a number of professional exams you need to take to qualify which I gather aren't always easy and you are also usually working full time while preparing for them. If you find exams difficult to prepare for and/or you experience a great deal of anxiety relating to exams and exam situations, you may want to again, consider other careers which don't have such requirements.

I got a 7 in maths GCSE. The only reason why I failed the A-level maths mock was due to having personal issues in the background which caused mental health to go down. I have done a bit of research on the exams in accounting and the exemptions that I could get in a variety of unis. I do think the panic attack during that exam was a one time thing and is less likely to happen again in any other exams. Also, I would say that becoming an accountant has been my dream career for a while now and I do believe that I am capable of it. I have thought about degree apprenticeships but Isn't it quite hard to get them?

That sounds reasonable
In terms of degree apprenticeships I think they are rather competitive, but fortunately there's no reason you can't apply to both degree apprenticeships and uni courses! Definitely worth aiming for a degree apprenticeship if you can.

I'm actually pretty greatful to have maths being dropped but a bit gutted that I couldn't take another A-level as a replacement. So I'm planning to do accounting for uni and the subjects I'm taking are A-level economics, A-Level accounting and BTEC marketing. Would you say it is a strong combo as I'm not allowed to take 3 A-levels anymore? Also, could I put this down for my personal statement as it is a one year course in which I have 10 hours a week for which may potentially show I can adapt well if I was predicted a good grade? Thank you so much for replying to me!

Sounds like youre happy with the decision!
If youre taking the btec in a year, check that its an a level equivalent as that will make it a perfectly acceptable combo for a lot of accounting courses. If your school offers core maths then ask if you can take that too 🙂
You could ask your head of year to write about that on your reference

Unfortunately, my pastoral manager has said that they "will not take me in for any maths courses" I've tried finding the loopholes (sorry I could only think of this word) but regardless she refused and said if not I should go and find another sixth form which I'm unwilling to as I travel an hour and a half back and forth just to get there and the way she said it made me want to prove a point to her (she kept insisting for me to find another establishment) plus I generally love both of my teachers for accounting and economics. 😅 I do regret not performing well in maths and probably wish I could go back and redo it but it is what it is after all 😁. Thank you for the suggestions you've made! It's made me motivated again! 🙏🏻
Yes I have triple checked my btec is A-level equivalent. I think I might've stressed myself out as soon as my pastoral manager said "majority of the High end universities will not accept any BTECS". I felt a bit ashamed as I felt it was a bit of a downgrade as to the potential I could've done but I do understand where she's coming from with maths just didn't really like the way she said it and how she included something that was irrelevant to it further causing me to cry. Sorry I'm generally just ranting now! 🤣

Completely understandable!
I think you should look at the entry requirements for some accounting courses you might want to apply for and see what qualifications they ask for.

Yes I have indeed! I've emailed a couple of unis and they said they do accept the qualifications that I have!! Thank you so much for the help again I really appreciate it!!

I got a 7 in maths GCSE. The only reason why I failed the A-level maths mock was due to having personal issues in the background which caused mental health to go down. I have done a bit of research on the exams in accounting and the exemptions that I could get in a variety of unis. I do think the panic attack during that exam was a one time thing and is less likely to happen again in any other exams. Also, I would say that becoming an accountant has been my dream career for a while now and I do believe that I am capable of it. I have thought about degree apprenticeships but Isn't it quite hard to get them?

I'm the exact same boat. Got a 7 at GCSE, and I found maths okay at the start of y12, most people did. Then one of my parents died (the supportive one).
Afterwards it was a downward spiral. I had a lot of personal issues afterwards, so I wasn't really focusing on my academics. I also wanted to study something financial, specifically an Economics and Finance degree😭. I also don't have a good relationship with my parents that is still alive, so retaking an A-Level or taking a gap year whilst I'm in their household is out of the question. Right now I'm thinking of applying to full time jobs once I'm off holiday.
If all goes accordingly I should be retaking my A-Level maths next year, because I'm 99% sure I've gotten an E.