Should i take physics

7

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

Reply 1

NachoChes

8

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

Hey!! Soo I did physics a level and I honestly think that while it was defo difficult I really did enjoy studying it. Also, how come you HAVE to take 4 subjects?
Btw, im pretty sure you dont necessarily need to have computer science a level for uni anyway :smile:

)

Reply 2

JACKLHU

Official Rep

8

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

Hi @VDUSEN ,

I hope you are well.

In terms of going from GCSE to A-level, no matter the subject you choose, there will be a jump.

It is great to hear that you enjoy Physics, it could be a subject you decide to do at A-level. In terms of what you pick definitely consider subjects you enjoy/ have an interest in. Do also consider will you need a certain A-level subject for a degree you may be interested in if you are considering University.

I thought I would mention, that we also offer Computer Science here at Liverpool Hope as you have mentioned you are considering it. Our Computer Science degree is also offered with a Year In Industry. I will link the course below in case you want find out more about it. It will be useful to check out UCAS as well where you can find out about other Computer Science courses, and others that may be of interest.

I hope this is helpful, if you have any other questions do reply below. -

https://www.hope.ac.uk/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/computerscience/

Jack

Reply 3

Fatima Alyasin

2

My teacher said that a level physics is much easier than math a level
I am studying AS math and physics and can say that math questions are harder than physics

Reply 4

I. T

4

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

Hi! Im in y12 doing alevel physics, maths and computer science. In my opinion, the difference between gcse and alevel physics is to do with memory, in gcse you could get away with relying on memorising answers since everything was much simpler, however in alevel its harder to understand concepts, and its almost impossible to answer questions without understanding the topics. If u quite quick witted and understand things like physics then alevel sounds like a good fit. I have to say it is hard and requires alot of work, i think anyone who does this alevel would struggle. If u dont need physics for the degree you would like to do, then recommend not putting yourself through that stress!

Reply 5

VDUSEN

OP

7

Original post

by NachoChes

Hey!! Soo I did physics a level and I honestly think that while it was defo difficult I really did enjoy studying it. Also, how come you HAVE to take 4 subjects?
Btw, im pretty sure you dont necessarily need to have computer science a level for uni anyway :smile:

)

My school just makes us take 4, and on the transition day the head of sixth form was like everyone has to take 4, theres no way around it

Reply 6

Phelena

13

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

You'll notice that the grade boundaries for Physics A-Level are very low, and every year everyone complains about one of the papers (at least for AQA). This is because quite a high proportion of the questions are targeted at A/A* students compared to other subjects, like Maths. The benefit is that you can afford to lose a few marks due to forgetting things or making silly mistakes because the grade boundaries are so low. There isn't much memorisation for Physics A-Level but it's still worse than GCSE and the maths/FM A-Levels.

If you're planning on doing FM and eventually doing a computer science degree, you'll want to develop your problem solving and application skills as much as possible, so it seems quite ridiculous to skip Physics A-Level to avoid those exact skills. As long as you're reasonably interested in Physics, there doesn't seem to be a drawback in taking it.

Reply 7

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper, Careers Forum Helper

19

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

Look at the computer science courses at uni to see what subjects they specify. That may help you decide.
Could you not start with physics to try it, then swap it for something else after the first couple of weeks or so if it doesnt work out.

Reply 8

NachoChes

8

Original post

by VDUSEN

My school just makes us take 4, and on the transition day the head of sixth form was like everyone has to take 4, theres no way around it

Ahh okay fair enough! I would say that physics is definitely not a filler subject, but if you genuinely enjoy maths and applying it then physics is a great idea!! I'm here if you have any questions or need any advice!! :smile:

))

Reply 9

Kingston Trenyce

Official Rep

11

Original post

by VDUSEN

I am in year 11 and i need to pick a-level options soon, personally i quite enjoy physics and I do score quite highly and i'm predicted a 9 which i believe i most likely will get. However at GCSE level i feel my strength is remembering lots of stuff, i don't memorise anything but I just remember it so I'm unsure whether to take physics or not at a-level as its already known for being quite hard and also its obviously not just remembering stuff anymore but applying. Can you guys give me advice + everyone says its a big jump (which is obvious) but is it actually much bigger than other a-levels. (I also have to take 4 and I'm thinking of FM, Maths,Computer Science and physics (I might take econ instead but tbh i don't acc know much about it), I want to do computer science at Uni)

If you're predicted a 9 in physics and enjoy it, you're very capable of handling A-level Physics. there will be a jump regardless of what subject you chose. but it's similar to maths/further maths, more application, less memorization.

Trenyce (Kingston rep)

Should i take physics

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