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A-Level optatives

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Takeover:
I am doing 12 GCSEs and expecting only A*s and As.

I do not know with much certainty what I want to study at university, although I am duelling between a science-based career or one of the business/economic type. Or both.

However, I have limited time and facilities, so I would like to know your opinions on which A-level I should add.


I am going to do
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Spanish (For which I don't have to study for)

Then I am reluctant on whether to choose Business Studies, English, or the Further Maths AS.
I will be thankful for any opinions which do talk too much about lack of time or heavy workload, although your advice will be appreciated.  ;D

elemis:
You realise that A Levels are not like GCSEs ?

The syllabus is vast and unless your some whiz-kid I'm sorry to say that you wont be able to do six A Levels properly.

Are you doing CIE or Edexcel A levels ?

Further maths as a subject holds a lot of weight and demands a different thinking. I do furthr maths so I know.

Business studies is useless and Unis dont consider to be a proper subject. Economics would be a better choice.

All in all, you're looking at a masive work load.

Deadly_king:
When you said A-level, you meant complete A2 or only the AS section?

I would advice only a maximum of 4 A2 subjects and 2 AS.

But if you're very confident about Spanish, then I guess it's alright.

If you decide to opt for the full science subjects, then English might be the best option as it would give you time to concentrate on the other subjects. However it is not to be neglected either. ;)

Like Ari highlighted, A-level is not so easy. It requires much concentration and time. Nevertheless it is achievable. So I wish you good luck. :)

$tyli$h Executive:

--- Quote from: Takeover on January 25, 2011, 06:17:24 pm ---I am doing 12 GCSEs and expecting only A*s and As.

I do not know with much certainty what I want to study at university, although I am duelling between a science-based career or one of the business/economic type. Or both.

--- End quote ---

You must be certain of what you want to study at university if you are to choose your A level subjects. Because universities prefer you to have some background knowledge of the subject that you are going to study (from A level).

If you want to study science, you should be taking Physics and Biology. Do consider properly if chemistry is really needed for you. Because, say, if you want to be a biotechnology related doctor/technician, chemistry is important. But for an engineer, chemistry may not be so important. Same goes for biology - choose it only if you want to be a doctor/related profession. Physics is necessary for Engineering.

Mathematics is always a plus. Further maths will be needed if you want to be an engineer, otherwise not necessary. But do try to keep a mathematics subject. And be aware that further maths is quite a difficult subject. But you can do fine if you try hard.

For a career related to Business and finance, you should take Business studies, economics. Subjects like applied ICT or computing will give you an IT edge as well. But be aware that Business studies is not as easy as it seems - the case studies are very challenging esp. on A2. Economics is very easy at AS, but quite difficult at A2. I know because I've done them all.

You can take accounting too.

You should take maths, especially if you want to study the finance stream. Further maths is a plus as well, but not an absolute requirement.


--- Quote --- Spanish (For which I don't have to study for)
--- End quote ---

Don;t think that you "will not have to study". My native language is Bangla. But I still had to study quite a lot for my Bengali O level exam because I was unaware of the different grammar constructs.


--- Quote ---Business studies is useless and Unis dont consider to be a proper subject.Economics would be a better choice.
--- End quote ---

With all due respect, it is a very good choice for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the field of business. But like all other subjects, it is not so necessary/useless if you wish to pursue a career in some other field.

Takeover:
Thank you all very much.

Yeees, I know the workload I am going to face and if it is going to help me enter a better university I am obviously willing to take it.

I'm not worrying about Spanish, as I live in Spain and the A-Level is rather compulsory because absolutely everyone gets an A with hardly any study.

I think I will neglect Further Maths and decide between the other too, as I do not really like mathematics. The thing is that if you wish to pursue a business-related career, you don't actually have to take the BS A-Level. Sciences will probably do fine then, according to my teachers.


--- Quote ---You realise that A Levels are not like GCSEs ?

The syllabus is vast and unless your some whiz-kid I'm sorry to say that you wont be able to do six A Levels properly.

Are you doing CIE or Edexcel A levels ?

--- End quote ---

Well, in my school many people have taken 6 A-Levels and they've done or are doing just fine, and say that if you work hard it is perfectly achievable.

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