A-level: AQA Physics, or Edexcel Further Maths

1

I'm taking 4 a-levels (maths, bio, chem, and 1 other) and am decided between Physics or Further Maths. I want to go into medicine, but if i only do 3 a-levels i will end up having to do an EPQ, which i do not want to do. I am able to drop an a-level after halfway through year 12, but i want to try and keep all 4 if possible. In a nutshell, which of the 2 a-levels is more difficult - I am at the understanding that Physics has some overlap with chemistry so will be easier in that respect, but requires lots of thinking in the real world, whereas Further Maths uses more abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and is that bit more difficult. I just wanted to get a second opinion from people who have done these a-levels, and preferably these exam boards!

Reply 1

selenainnit

11

Original post

by vrk29

I'm taking 4 a-levels (maths, bio, chem, and 1 other) and am decided between Physics or Further Maths. I want to go into medicine, but if i only do 3 a-levels i will end up having to do an EPQ, which i do not want to do. I am able to drop an a-level after halfway through year 12, but i want to try and keep all 4 if possible. In a nutshell, which of the 2 a-levels is more difficult - I am at the understanding that Physics has some overlap with chemistry so will be easier in that respect, but requires lots of thinking in the real world, whereas Further Maths uses more abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and is that bit more difficult. I just wanted to get a second opinion from people who have done these a-levels, and preferably these exam boards!

Hi, I am currently taking Maths, Further Maths and Physics for A level, yet I do AQA for Maths and Further Maths and OCR A for Physics. Further Maths does use more abstract concepts but once you get the hang of it you'd be fine. In general, Further Maths is cited as just a bit more difficult than Physics as they are completely new concepts (like you said there are imaginary numbers which can be complex and matrices etc), whereas Physics is just basically building up from your GCSEs yet the contents get drastically harder over time so to be fair they're equally as hard. For me, because I am the person who got a 9 in Maths and a 6 in Physics, in my opinion, I find Physics harder as it's building up from GCSEs and the fact that I was not goated at Physics in GCSEs. So it kinda depends on whether or not you find easy to pick new stuff and whether you are good at GCSE Physics if you want to know which one is more difficult for you

My God sorry for the paragraph, hope it helps.

Reply 2

selenainnit

11

Original post

by vrk29

I'm taking 4 a-levels (maths, bio, chem, and 1 other) and am decided between Physics or Further Maths. I want to go into medicine, but if i only do 3 a-levels i will end up having to do an EPQ, which i do not want to do. I am able to drop an a-level after halfway through year 12, but i want to try and keep all 4 if possible. In a nutshell, which of the 2 a-levels is more difficult - I am at the understanding that Physics has some overlap with chemistry so will be easier in that respect, but requires lots of thinking in the real world, whereas Further Maths uses more abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and is that bit more difficult. I just wanted to get a second opinion from people who have done these a-levels, and preferably these exam boards!

P.S. I did mention Physics and Further Maths are equally as hard but honestly if I think about it further, Physics might be more challenging if you're not the best at handling workload. Workload is also a thing to consider so if you're not the best at handling workload it's best to choose Further Maths because it is more linked with Maths than Physics, Physics requires you not only being able to do calculations but there are also really difficult concepts you have to understand, and Biology and Chemistry are already 2 of the hardest A level subjects. I have friends who take Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics and as Biology, Chemistry and Physics are all sciences yet completely different, they are all struggling with handling the workload even though they've gotten 8s and 9s in their GCSEs for all 4 subjects, and one friend who does Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry, as Further Maths is still similar to some new topics from A level Maths, she's doing just fine. So in short, Physics is the best choice only if you want to do Engineering or any course which requires you to do Physics for A level or you're certain you'd be able to handle the tremendous amount of workload, otherwise take Further Maths.

P.P.S. Further Maths is really satisfying when it comes to calculations in every topic, highly recommended

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

Muttley79

20

Original post

by vrk29

I'm taking 4 a-levels (maths, bio, chem, and 1 other) and am decided between Physics or Further Maths. I want to go into medicine, but if i only do 3 a-levels i will end up having to do an EPQ, which i do not want to do. I am able to drop an a-level after halfway through year 12, but i want to try and keep all 4 if possible. In a nutshell, which of the 2 a-levels is more difficult - I am at the understanding that Physics has some overlap with chemistry so will be easier in that respect, but requires lots of thinking in the real world, whereas Further Maths uses more abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and is that bit more difficult. I just wanted to get a second opinion from people who have done these a-levels, and preferably these exam boards!

I would take F Maths as that's a sensible 4 A level option. There are masses of free online resources for Edexcel as well.

Reply 4

mahi.749

1

Original post

by vrk29

I'm taking 4 a-levels (maths, bio, chem, and 1 other) and am decided between Physics or Further Maths. I want to go into medicine, but if i only do 3 a-levels i will end up having to do an EPQ, which i do not want to do. I am able to drop an a-level after halfway through year 12, but i want to try and keep all 4 if possible. In a nutshell, which of the 2 a-levels is more difficult - I am at the understanding that Physics has some overlap with chemistry so will be easier in that respect, but requires lots of thinking in the real world, whereas Further Maths uses more abstract concepts like imaginary numbers and is that bit more difficult. I just wanted to get a second opinion from people who have done these a-levels, and preferably these exam boards!

does your sixth form require you to do 4 a-levels? because for med unis don't even look at your 4th

A-level: AQA Physics, or Edexcel Further Maths

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