A-level Chemistry compared to GCSE...?

10

Hi, I am currently looking at around a 7 in chemistry gcse. how different is the a-level course to the gcse one? is it worth spending my holiday memorising everything from the gcse syllabus or should I just wait to start fresh in september with the course? any advice would be useful

Reply 1

Stupidwebsiegon

12

Original post

by hp49

Hi, I am currently looking at around a 7 in chemistry gcse. how different is the a-level course to the gcse one? is it worth spending my holiday memorising everything from the gcse syllabus or should I just wait to start fresh in september with the course? any advice would be useful

a-level chemistry is of course harder but unless there are some topics in GCSEs which you definitely know youre really bad at then theres no need to go over anything. Tbh my school just retaught all the GCSE stuff that we needed to know, it was simple and short but for some reason it becomes much easier to grasp when added to more complex a level content. So I'd say no

Reply 2

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

18

Original post

by hp49

Hi, I am currently looking at around a 7 in chemistry gcse. how different is the a-level course to the gcse one? is it worth spending my holiday memorising everything from the gcse syllabus or should I just wait to start fresh in september with the course? any advice would be useful

Hi,

I’d recommend going over some of the basics like atomic structure, the periodic table, bonding, calculations, rates of reaction and organic chemistry if you get the chance. It can help reinforce your understanding before you start.

That being said, even if you don’t, it’s completely fine. Everything will be covered again in much more depth, so you won’t be behind at all.

Definitely make sure to enjoy your summer. You’ll have plenty of time to get stuck into the content once the course begins.

Tayba
Student Rep

Reply 3

Lettuce272

10

Original post

by hp49

Hi, I am currently looking at around a 7 in chemistry gcse. how different is the a-level course to the gcse one? is it worth spending my holiday memorising everything from the gcse syllabus or should I just wait to start fresh in september with the course? any advice would be useful

I got a 7 at gcse few marks off an 8 and found a level chem was one of my strongest subjects, I’d recommend just knowing the equations as these come up a lot and know how to rearrange things, make sure you know the foundations like mentioned by someone else, periodic table and atomic structure etc. best thing is to rest and enjoy summer so you don’t get burnt out :smile:

Reply 4

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post

by hp49

Hi, I am currently looking at around a 7 in chemistry gcse. how different is the a-level course to the gcse one? is it worth spending my holiday memorising everything from the gcse syllabus or should I just wait to start fresh in september with the course? any advice would be useful

Hi there! (:

I'd reccomend having a little look at the course specification for the a-level content and seeing what content from the gcse carries over into the a-level, anything from this that you struggled a bit more with the gcse content id have a little look over to try to solidify it a bit more, just a few summaries of this might help a little to make you feel more comfortable when content starts to build upon these foundations - i would do this a week or 2 before the start of the course alongside making a study timetable so you can split your time between chem, other subjects & any other commitments and of course some fun stuff outwith school! 😊

not sure exactly how different both courses are since i did scottish qualifications lol - but if you do this you should be all good to go for the start of the year!, i wouldnt reccomend looking at until then, its just unnecessary stress and will likely be forgotten by the time you go back! - instead i'd enjoy your summer and take that break off to recharge🤗

hope this helps!!

Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep

A-level Chemistry compared to GCSE...?

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