IGCSE/GCSE/O & A Level/IB/University Student Forum
Qualification => GCE AS & A2 Level => Queries => Topic started by: Malak on September 03, 2011, 03:46:04 pm
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Okay, I decided to finish the edexcel AS biology course this summer. I thought i could do it but unfortunately i couldn't finish all of it *its a long course*.
Now, I need some advice from people who have done Edexcel A-level biology.
School is starting after few days and I need to decide if I should only do AS and forget the A2 or should I start with my A2 and continue with my AS as it is. Is that sensible? I asked a few other people and they said that both are related so it will be difficult to do A2 without properly finishing the AS part.
My university requirements will be fulfilled even if I do only AS biology but the reason why I thought of doing it as an a-level was that A-level means a lot more than just AS and it will make my chances of getting into uni higher.
Suggestions?
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I did CIE, not Edexcel but anyway.
I suggest, you complete your AS Level first and than A2. As is the baseand A2 is the difficult level where you learn the huge chapters (Brain, Kidney, Nervous system etc...) Edexcel students have the advantage of having their 'Paper 3' as 'Alternative to Practicals' where they dont actually have to do the experiments. Plus, they have no such thing as 'Applications' in A2.
If you cannot do A level in one year, then you can do only AS. University classes will complete the rest.
Biology, though lengthy, is not a difficult subject. It requires dedication, that's all.
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I did CIE, not Edexcel but anyway.
I suggest, you complete your AS Level first and than A2. As is the baseand A2 is the difficult level where you learn the huge chapters (Brain, Kidney, Nervous system etc...) Edexcel students have the advantage of having their 'Paper 3' as 'Alternative to Practicals' where they dont actually have to do the experiments. Plus, they have no such thing as 'Applications' in A2.
If you cannot do A level in one year, then you can do only AS. University classes will complete the rest.
Biology, though lengthy, is not a difficult subject. It requires dedication, that's all.
I actually dont have a lot of time.
I cant wait for my AS to finish and then start A2 cause i'll be starting A2 with school i.e. after few days. Its either that I start A2 and continue with my AS or dont do A2 at all.
Yes, I agree, it lengthy but not that difficult.
Thanks :D
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Don't do A2 at all, then. ;)
Welcomee'0. :D
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My suggestion will be do whole A2 as it's related to AS part. But, if you feel your time is limited then stick to AS alone.
If confused then just do Istikhara. ;)
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Okay, I decided to finish the edexcel AS biology course this summer. I thought i could do it but unfortunately i couldn't finish all of it *its a long course*.
Now, I need some advice from people who have done Edexcel A-level biology.
School is starting after few days and I need to decide if I should only do AS and forget the A2 or should I start with my A2 and continue with my AS as it is. Is that sensible? I asked a few other people and they said that both are related so it will be difficult to do A2 without properly finishing the AS part.
My university requirements will be fulfilled even if I do only AS biology but the reason why I thought of doing it as an a-level was that A-level means a lot more than just AS and it will make my chances of getting into uni higher.
Suggestions?
I did not take A level biology, so take my advice with a pinch of salt. If you're planning to give A2 biology in November and you've not finished AS yet, it might not be realistic to opt for A2. If you're planning to give A2 in 2012 June, you can go for it. :)
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^ you mean January not November since it's Edexcel not CIE ;)
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^ you mean January not November since it's Edexcel not CIE ;)
Oh yeah, thanks for the correction. :)
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^ Yeah, its jan :P
If i go for A2 then this is how it will be:
Jan exams ---> AS Bio unit 1 + unit 3 and A2 bio unit 4
June ----> AS bio unit 2 + A2 bio unit 5 + 6
And including my other subjects which are Math, Phy, Chem
I havent touched unit 2 for AS bio and if the start of A2 requires me to have an understanding of AS bio unit 2 than i will end up understanding nothing, so this is my another main question --> Is AS and A2 both related as in to start with A2 do I need to finish up my whole AS course or unit 1 will do for now. ::)
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Ang3l I don't know about Biology.
In Math if you take C1 and C3 ,you won't survive since C2 concepts are the like the basics before going to C3 and C4 which are the 'in depth'.
I hope I helped =]
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Ang3l I don't know about Biology.
In Math if you take C1 and C3 ,you won't survive since C2 concepts are the like the basics before going to C3 and C4 which are the 'in depth'.
I hope I helped =]
LOL. :D
@Angel: I don't have a clear knowledge of Edexcel syllabus. Maybe someone who has taken Edexcel Biology can help you?
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I can't find the Edexcel syllabus to answer properly, Angel.
I'll try to find Amii. ::)
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I will be honest here with my opinion. ::)
Ang3l darling, you are planning on doing Medicine (Insha Allah), right ?
Well. . .then I am sure you know how very important Biology is for Medicine (along with Chemistry, of course).
Even though the Uni says AS Biology is fine but if you stick only with AS then it might somehow show that you are not very 'passionate' about your course (Medicine).
Just expressing my feelings - keep your options open. ;)
The decision is yours.
Edit: I PMed MKh to help you out here since she did whole A-level Biology in a year. =)
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I will be honest here with my opinion. ::)
Ang3l darling, you are planning on doing Medicine (Insha Allah), right ?
Well. . .then I am sure you know how very important Biology is for Medicine (along with Chemistry, of course).
Even though the Uni says AS Biology is fine but if you stick only with AS then it might somehow show that you are not very 'passionate' about your course (Medicine).
Just expressing my feelings - keep your options open. ;)
The decision is yours.
Edit: I PMed MKh to help you out here since she did whole A-level Biology in a year. =)
Yes, you are right but being practical do you think I can start with A2 while I havent finished my AS course?
I cant wait for my AS to finish and then start with A2 cause either I HAVE to start my A2 course with school or forget about it. :-\
I did talk to MKH once and she said that its better if I finish off with AS first and then start A2.
Ahh, I talked to my teacher and she simply said its your decision only ::). Now I am gonna talk to my head teacher and lets see what she has to say about it.
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Salaam angel,
I hope u understand that the jump from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS is a very big one and so is one from AS to A2 but not as big a jump as that from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS. We do not have to do the mistake of rushing in such an important part of our academic life. Skills can't b crammed for but they r gradually built up. I hope u understand wut i mean here.
I know it will look good in ur medical application (u r applying for medicine, ryt?) that u hav done all ur 4 A levels in a single year (this is wut u r planning to do, ryt?) but they won't really decide whether to give u a place in medical school on this basis. Atleast this is wut i know.
My suggestions: Don't pressurise urself. Finish ur AS units first because the A2 units r synoptic. Synoptic means u will need to use knowledge from different areas of ur A level course to answer the questions asked. First take the AS units with ur A level board and see wut u hav to do differently the next time. The A2 units r also a bit more advanced than the AS ones and the topics in the A2 units require a much deeper understanding than those in the AS ones. After all, the A level grades r used by institutes worldwide to decide who to give a place and who to not and ofcourse many other things matter as well but wut i mean is that u can't take risks here, can u dear? I strongly suggest u to start with AS at school, see how it is and ofcourse study at home as well. Divide ur AS units between the January '12 and June '12 exam sessions. But do remember, do not underestimate A levels. If while doing AS at school u think u can also do the A2 units, u can always start studying for A2 at home and take the exams if u wish.
In the Edexcel A2 Biology units this year, we were also tested on different areas of the AS course. Indeed the A2 topics build up from the AS ones. Haven't u noticed in the Edexcel A2 Biology textbook how the different topics r built up from the AS topics?
But everything is possible if u r willing to work hard and achieve ur goals successfully. On the other hand, studies aren't supposed to make things difficult for us. We study so that we become better humans and live happily. I don't want to sound like a granny but atleast these r the suggestions that i wud giv u as a sister.
If u wud like to ask anything, u r always more than welcome to ask. Hope it helps dear. Take care and Good Luck.
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Yes, you are right but being practical do you think I can start with A2 while I havent finished my AS course?
I cant wait for my AS to finish and then start with A2 cause either I HAVE to start my A2 course with school or forget about it. :-\
I did talk to MKH once and she said that its better if I finish off with AS first and then start A2.
Ahh, I talked to my teacher and she simply said its your decision only ::). Now I am gonna talk to my head teacher and lets see what she has to say about it.
Nope. You cannot.
Hon, it's all about you managing yer time properly.
I suggest you do Istikhara cos God knows best. =]
Salaam angel,
I hope u understand that the jump from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS is a very big one and so is one from AS to A2 but not as big a jump as that from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS. We do not have to do the mistake of rushing in such an important part of our academic life. Skills can't b crammed for but they r gradually built up. I hope u understand wut i mean here.
I know it will look good in ur medical application (u r applying for medicine, ryt?) that u hav done all ur 4 A levels in a single year (this is wut u r planning to do, ryt?) but they won't really decide whether to give u a place in medical school on this basis. Atleast this is wut i know.
My suggestions: Don't pressurise urself. Finish ur AS units first because the A2 units r synoptic. Synoptic means u will need to use knowledge from different areas of ur A level course to answer the questions asked. First take the AS units with ur A level board and see wut u hav to do differently the next time. The A2 units r also a bit more advanced than the AS ones and the topics in the A2 units require a much deeper understanding than those in the AS ones. After all, the A level grades r used by institutes worldwide to decide who to give a place and who to not and ofcourse many other things matter as well but wut i mean is that u can't take risks here, can u dear? I strongly suggest u to start with AS at school, see how it is and ofcourse study at home as well. Divide ur AS units between the January '12 and June '12 exam sessions. But do remember, do not underestimate A levels. If while doing AS at school u think u can also do the A2 units, u can always start studying for A2 at home and take the exams if u wish.
In the Edexcel A2 Biology units this year, we were also tested on different areas of the AS course. Indeed the A2 topics build up from the AS ones. Haven't u noticed in the Edexcel A2 Biology textbook how the different topics r built up from the AS topics?
But everything is possible if u r willing to work hard and achieve ur goals successfully. On the other hand, studies aren't supposed to make things difficult for us. We study so that we become better humans and live happily. I don't want to sound like a granny but atleast these r the suggestions that i wud giv u as a sister.
If u wud like to ask anything, u r always more than welcome to ask. Hope it helps dear. Take care and Good Luck.
Excellent.
Thank you, sister. =]
Hope Ang3l chooses the best decision. =)
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Salaam angel,
I hope u understand that the jump from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS is a very big one and so is one from AS to A2 but not as big a jump as that from IGCSEs/GCSEs to AS. We do not have to do the mistake of rushing in such an important part of our academic life. Skills can't b crammed for but they r gradually built up. I hope u understand wut i mean here.
I know it will look good in ur medical application (u r applying for medicine, ryt?) that u hav done all ur 4 A levels in a single year (this is wut u r planning to do, ryt?) but they won't really decide whether to give u a place in medical school on this basis. Atleast this is wut i know.
My suggestions: Don't pressurise urself. Finish ur AS units first because the A2 units r synoptic. Synoptic means u will need to use knowledge from different areas of ur A level course to answer the questions asked. First take the AS units with ur A level board and see wut u hav to do differently the next time. The A2 units r also a bit more advanced than the AS ones and the topics in the A2 units require a much deeper understanding than those in the AS ones. After all, the A level grades r used by institutes worldwide to decide who to give a place and who to not and ofcourse many other things matter as well but wut i mean is that u can't take risks here, can u dear? I strongly suggest u to start with AS at school, see how it is and ofcourse study at home as well. Divide ur AS units between the January '12 and June '12 exam sessions. But do remember, do not underestimate A levels. If while doing AS at school u think u can also do the A2 units, u can always start studying for A2 at home and take the exams if u wish.
In the Edexcel A2 Biology units this year, we were also tested on different areas of the AS course. Indeed the A2 topics build up from the AS ones. Haven't u noticed in the Edexcel A2 Biology textbook how the different topics r built up from the AS topics?
But everything is possible if u r willing to work hard and achieve ur goals successfully. On the other hand, studies aren't supposed to make things difficult for us. We study so that we become better humans and live happily. I don't want to sound like a granny but atleast these r the suggestions that i wud giv u as a sister.
If u wud like to ask anything, u r always more than welcome to ask. Hope it helps dear. Take care and Good Luck.
Okay, there is a huge misunderstanding here :P
I am NOT planning to do 4 A-levels in one single year. I have finished my 4 AS this year (physics, chemistry, math and ICT).
I planned to drop ICT in A2 and take biology as it is more relevant to medicine than ICT.
I thought of finishing the AS Bio in the summer holidays but as it turned out I couldnt finish all of it.
Now my question is, should I start with A2 while i am also covering up the AS part which i couldnt finish (mostly unit 2)?
I have two choices, either i start A2 and cover up the AS part as well OR I totally forget about the A2.
I hope you got it now? :-\
Thanks for your advice. :)
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You r always welcome.
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You r always welcome.
Ummm... ::)
My question remains :-[
Is it sensible if I start with A2 now? :-\
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Ummm... ::)
My question remains :-[
Is it sensible if I start with A2 now? :-\
You can't start A2 without AS. Finish AS then start A2. ;)
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You can't start A2 without AS. Finish AS then start A2. ;)
Like I said before, I dont have a choice. If i start A2 then it is with my school and i.e. within few days. I cant wait for my AS course to finish and then start with A2.
I guess, i'll talk to me head teacher about it.
Everyone, thank you!!! :D
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Ohhk angel, srry it took me too long to actually reply u properly but here's my suggestion:
First option: You can study the other subjects at A2 level and Bio at AS level with ur school, can u not? You may ask ur school about it. And then u can apply for medicine in ur home country explaining to them that u r preparing for ur A2 Bio or u can take a gap year, complete Bio at A2 level and then apply. But u may not waste a whole year doing Bio at A2 level. Whether this option is available to u or not depends on what ur school says regarding this and whether u wud like to opt to do so or not.
Second option: Is there any kind of acceleration programme at ur school to cover A levels in a single year? I hope they won't mind if it's only one A-level subject that u want to study within a year. Can they arrange something of this sort for u? Whether this option is available to u or not depends on whether ur school can arrange such programme for u.
Third option: Like u said, ur school starts within a few days. You can learn a few basics in the meantime, can u not? Get the AS Bio specification, understand wut u need to know, read those texts from the textbook, get the revision guide and have a quick overview. You may learn a lot of things in this way. Familiarise urslf with the content of AS Bio, link the AS Bio areas to the A2 Bio course and read those. Remember my dear that AS is a progression from the IGCSEs/GCSEs so u may find that ur IGCSE/GCSE Bio knowledge and concepts sometimes overlap with that of ur AS Bio knowledge and concepts. It is not that difficult to grasp those basics from the AS Bio course in a matter of a few days although u may not b able to cover the whole specification fully. Later when u start ur A2 with ur school, u can cover some parts of the AS Bio specification regularly. It might appear to b very tough at first and you may need to work extra hard to avoid being left back but it is surely worth it. I will INSHA ALLAH post a few tips on how u may begin to grasp those basics but till then try urslf to learn some concepts.
I hav tried my level best to help u but if u hav any further questions, u may feel free to ask anytime. Hope i helped. Wish u all the best.
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And i m really srry for misunderstanding u but that is why i asked whether what i think u r doing is what u actually r.
Take care.
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^ Unfortunately the first two options dont fit me ::) I am not ready to take a gap year in anyway :P and never to only study A2 bio :o
Secondly, i am applying for UK. I meet their entry requirements as they need 3 A-levels and 1 AS and it needs to be either Chem and bio both at a-level or one at AS and the other as an A-level. I have chem as an A-level and I will be having bio as an AS, if not A2.
I think i will go with the third one and By the way I did study a bit of bio this summer so I kinda know the basics and it might take me another 2-3 months to finish the AS course fully, till then I will have to cope with the load. I need to get used to it anyway cause medicine is too much studying ::)
Thanks A LOT for helping me out. :D
Yeah, you need to post the tips ;D I'll be waiting.
Take care and good luck with your studies.