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Four A levels

Hi guys,

I feel like everyone says 4 a levels is completely pointless a Unis dont look at the fourth and its best to do well in three. However, do you think its logical that im planning on taking four for two reasons:

1) any of the sixth forms i am going to go to make you start with four and you can drop after a year (which about 50% of people do)

2) im planning on taking maths, fm, cs and econ. I know that any of the degrees i want to do will need further maths but i also dont want to just have two maths subjects and one other if i dropped, especially because i dont think i could pick between econ or cs

im planning on only considering dropping fm if it gets unbearably hard but im hoping on sticking it through. what do people think?

Reply 1

RandomPancake

Picking 4 A levels where one is FM is generally fine from what I know and with 4 maths related subjects you should be fine starting with those. As you said if it gets too intense you can always drop one and focus on the other 3.

Reply 2

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

4 with fm is recommended because a lot of people drop fm due to how difficult it is. Your combination is absolutely fine to take 4 with 🙂

Reply 3

Kingston Eve

Official Rep

Original post

by ZainaDalal

Hi guys,
I feel like everyone says 4 a levels is completely pointless a Unis dont look at the fourth and its best to do well in three. However, do you think its logical that im planning on taking four for two reasons:
1) any of the sixth forms i am going to go to make you start with four and you can drop after a year (which about 50% of people do)
2) im planning on taking maths, fm, cs and econ. I know that any of the degrees i want to do will need further maths but i also dont want to just have two maths subjects and one other if i dropped, especially because i dont think i could pick between econ or cs
im planning on only considering dropping fm if it gets unbearably hard but im hoping on sticking it through. what do people think?

Hey @ZainaDalal,

It's not uncommon for people to start with four A-Levels with the intention of dropping one along the way, and as mentioned above it tends to even be more common amongst those studying Futher Maths A-Level. If all of your chosen sixth forms require four A-Levels anyway, I would recommend sticking with your current combination and seeing whether or not you can balance all four throughout your first year. If it becomes too intense, most teachers will probably recommend dropping your weakest subject.

Best of luck,
Eve (Kingston Rep).