Would I be able to do Chemistry A Level?
I'm a Yr 11 who's just gotten their results and I've been applying to my sixth forms of choice. A school has accepted me but can't allow me to do Chemistry.
I wanted to do Bio Chem Psych but now I can only do Psych and Bio. So I've chosen Sociology along side it because I've heard it's one of the 'easier' a levels.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry a level outside of school? I already know the costs for the written exams and practical components so that's not the problem. But I want to get at least an A in it.
I currently have 3 Chemistry A level textbooks but that's about it. I know the Internet is free and extensive but I don't know if it'll be enough still. Also I will try to get help from science teachers within the school even though I'm not doing it within the school.
My mum is willing to pay for a tutor but honestly I don't want it because I feel like I've failed her by not getting the 6 in Chemistry that was needed in order to do Chemistry a level.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry outside of school? And realistically, would I be able to get an A?
I really really want to do Medicine but I don't even know anymore
I wanted to do Bio Chem Psych but now I can only do Psych and Bio. So I've chosen Sociology along side it because I've heard it's one of the 'easier' a levels.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry a level outside of school? I already know the costs for the written exams and practical components so that's not the problem. But I want to get at least an A in it.
I currently have 3 Chemistry A level textbooks but that's about it. I know the Internet is free and extensive but I don't know if it'll be enough still. Also I will try to get help from science teachers within the school even though I'm not doing it within the school.
My mum is willing to pay for a tutor but honestly I don't want it because I feel like I've failed her by not getting the 6 in Chemistry that was needed in order to do Chemistry a level.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry outside of school? And realistically, would I be able to get an A?
I really really want to do Medicine but I don't even know anymore
Reply 1
Original post
by Peak_YuriI'm a Yr 11 who's just gotten their results and I've been applying to my sixth forms of choice. A school has accepted me but can't allow me to do Chemistry.
I wanted to do Bio Chem Psych but now I can only do Psych and Bio. So I've chosen Sociology along side it because I've heard it's one of the 'easier' a levels.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry a level outside of school? I already know the costs for the written exams and practical components so that's not the problem. But I want to get at least an A in it.
I currently have 3 Chemistry A level textbooks but that's about it. I know the Internet is free and extensive but I don't know if it'll be enough still. Also I will try to get help from science teachers within the school even though I'm not doing it within the school.
My mum is willing to pay for a tutor but honestly I don't want it because I feel like I've failed her by not getting the 6 in Chemistry that was needed in order to do Chemistry a level.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry outside of school? And realistically, would I be able to get an A?
I really really want to do Medicine but I don't even know anymore
I wanted to do Bio Chem Psych but now I can only do Psych and Bio. So I've chosen Sociology along side it because I've heard it's one of the 'easier' a levels.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry a level outside of school? I already know the costs for the written exams and practical components so that's not the problem. But I want to get at least an A in it.
I currently have 3 Chemistry A level textbooks but that's about it. I know the Internet is free and extensive but I don't know if it'll be enough still. Also I will try to get help from science teachers within the school even though I'm not doing it within the school.
My mum is willing to pay for a tutor but honestly I don't want it because I feel like I've failed her by not getting the 6 in Chemistry that was needed in order to do Chemistry a level.
So would it be possible to do Chemistry outside of school? And realistically, would I be able to get an A?
I really really want to do Medicine but I don't even know anymore
First of all, congratulations on your results day (genuinely). I could have imagined how stressful it was, and I would soon experience it next year myself. Whether you got whatever you wanted or not, it's over now, and it's a brand new start. Things like these happen to come and go by quickly.
Regarding your chemistry problems: it's unfortunate that your school has rejected you, for whatever reasons. However, I can comfortably say: yes, it's more than 100% possible to study chemistry yourself. Of course, it would be more difficult to manage your own time and put up with the discipline; but the benefits are also having more autonomy, potentially even finishing ahead of time, and studying what you're actually interested in, or otherwise what you need for your university options.
Chemistry A-Level is harder than GCSE (of course!), and this time, the system runs a little bit different. You split into three sub-areas of study, and that is Organic, Physical and Inorganic chemistry. Think of it as three seperate courses... molded into one. They are not strictly interconnected (although there are exceptions), so technically you can study one discipline of your interest before another.
The topics in AS (aka Y12) Physical are quite rigorously related back to your GCSE chemistry work. You will be revisiting equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, kinetics, energetics, just in a different, slightly more sophisicated lens. Organic would be a complete expansion - you will study new things you've never heard of, such as nucleophiles and electrophiles, organic mechanisms, Markovnikov addition, alkanes, alcohols, alkenes etc., but don't fret! There is still a lot of hand-holding with what the specification wants, so you won't get lost along the way. Inorganic is all about the study of main groups and transition metals - it gets progressively more complex after your mild start to AS level, where you learn more about groups 1 and 2 (And the halogens? I seem to have forgot), and about the trends of periodicity.
It is ABSOLUTELY DOABLE and you should do so if it benefits your interests. And YES, you would be able to get an A without doubt if you put the work in. It's not fantasy, it's no sugar-coated hype, it's just something that you can 100% put up against and pull off. If medicine is what you want, then you should go for it.
You mentioned not wanting to afford a tutor. I understand you completely. I know this is weird, for someone a year below you to give you chemistry advice... but trust me, I just happen to be someone really interested in chemistry, and also really interested to help people who are interested in doing chemistry!! 🙂 If you would like, I can definitely guide you along the way for A-Level chemistry, whether you need more advice, or you want the specification at a glance, or even content related questions... I'm down for it, and willing to respond. If you would like to discuss more personally, feel free to drop a private message!
That aside, I congratulate you again on recieving your results ^^ looking foward to your response!
(edited 3 months ago)
Reply 2
20
Find out if other local schools or colleges would accept you for Chemistry.
And think carefully about the reality of doing Medicine if you struggle with Chemistry.
Other NHS career areas - Explore roles | Health Careers
And think carefully about the reality of doing Medicine if you struggle with Chemistry.
Other NHS career areas - Explore roles | Health Careers
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