Choosing A-Levels, how hard is taking 5?

Question

In Y11, I am currently making my initial options for 6th Form/ College. I am stuck on what i want to take; how hard is taking 5?

My last Profile was

Chemistry- A
Biology- A
Physics- B
Maths- C/B
German- B
History- A
Drama and Theatre Studies- B (Technical Theatre Option)
Music- (Listening: D, Composing: B, Performing A*) Overall C/B Borderline
Geology- C
RS Short Course- B
English Lit- A
English Lang- A

My choices at A level would be 4 of the following

Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Subject to a B grade at GCSE), English Literature, History, Govt and Politics

I am happy to hear any recommendations or opinions and how it has helped you Careers choice, (and i would especially love to know what your career is!?)

Answer 1

I took 5 highers and had to spend whole year studying to bloody pass them!!!! I would recommend taking 1 easy subject to free your mind from all the hard work. English isn't very demanding as its more what you know, you can't really study that much for it. Goodluck!!!!! i'm on maternity leave right now!

Answer 2

Hi there!

Well done on your reults last year! Most students aren't expected to take 5 full A-levels, because it really is a lot of work, but having said that, some people choose to do 5 and come out with 5 As!

There are a few points that are worth considering:
1) Do you really enjoy the subjects that you are studying? If not, then I wouldn't recommend that you try to do 5, because A-levels are hard work, and if you don't enjoy it, then you're not likely to have a happy 2 years.
2) Do you know what you want to do after your A-levels? It's seems a long way off, I know, but if you plan on going to uni etc, it might be worth having a look to see what subjects and grades they require for certain courses.
3) Have you considered doing 5 As levels and 4 full A-levels, so that you drop one subject after having got your AS level qualification? A lotof my friends took 4 AS levels and then dropped down to 3 A-levels.

However, please don't think that if you want to go to a top university that you have to have hundreds of A results at A level because it's not true! Most offers from uni's like Oxford and Cambridge are AAA or AAB, and I've only heard of one person being made an offer AAAA (this was my friend who successfully met his offer and is now studying economics at Cambridge).

Is there someone you could talk to at your 6th form college about your possible options? Maybe you could get in touch with some other people who have studied the subjects you are thinking of taking at the college, as perhaps they can give you an insight into what the course is like there.

I did Maths, Further Maths, Physics and RS all at full A-level, and I must admit that I found it pretty tough because I need an A in maths, further maths and an A in either physics or RS to get into university. However, whilst it was tough, I managed it and actually enjoyed most of the course. My subjects did overlap quite a bit in some areas though, which made it a little easier.

I know it can be a really hard decision to make, but don't worry about it too much. Even if you decide your options, and then find that you absolutely hate the course next year, you can change at the beginning.

Good luck with everything!

(P.S.-I'm studying maths and philosophy at uni)

Answer 3

5 A Levels

Answer 4

I took five A-levels (before there was all this faffing about with AS and A2). I had no problems with the level of work, however mine were nearly all exam only. The only one where coursework was involved was Biology. I made my offer for the best university for the course i wanted to study. The only advice I would give is , it is easier if the subjects you pick complement each other

Physics and maths together, Great!

I admit my choices were a bit odd. I did Maths further maths, biology, philosophy and general studies (i admit a cop out here, I didn't go to any classes and didn't revise for the exam, but I still got a C) but due to doing further maths I had no need to revise for single maths because it had all become second nature and I got an A

Biology was modular so the exams didn't come all at once.

Actually i'm probably not the best person for advice because thinking about it I didn't really put any effort in at A-level , sorry

Answer 5

OMG, don't take 5 at once if you enjoy having a life! Three is the most I'd pick (plus General Studies maybe, which is pretty easy).

Decide what you're interested in and then go for it!

For the record, I started English Lit, Media Studies and French at 16. At 17 I dropped out of 6th form ;-) At 23 (after doing a couple of other courses) I completed English Lit, English Language and Tudor History. I was working too and had extra-curricular activities and so really only put my heart and soul into the English ones (I failed History, got B and C for the others). A Levels are a killer, much harder than anything I've done before, even my degree!

BTW, I ended up in journalism (which is why I chose my A Levels) then realised it sucked, so I did a foundation art course and am just finishing my degree :-)

I also have a HUGE collection of random qualifications ;-)

Answer 6

There is no need to take 5 A-levels! Most universities only ask for 3 A-levels so I took 4 for As-level and then dropped one and took the other three on to a full A-level which was what the majority of people did at my college. If you do 5 you are just making your life way harder than it needs to be, A-levels are stressful and difficult enough when you only do 3 so I really wouldn't recommend doing any more than 4. It's better in my eyes to do better at fewer subjects and have a social life than to get lower grades in more subjects and have no social life. I realise that it is a difficult decision though and a very personal one, the above is just my opinion, you really need to think carefully about what you want to do and talk about it with others to get other points of view which can be really helpful. Good luck!

Answer 7

Taking 5 at A-Level isn't a walk in the park, but so long as you're willing to work it'll be ok, I wouldn't advise 5 straight subjects though, 4 real ones and general studies is achievable.

When you're picking them try to think about what you want to do at degree level. If you want to go into sciences, do the sciences, english, take english. You get the point. Mixing and matching across the themes can mean its harder to find a suitable uni course or be accepted onto one.

History & Politics tend to go towards a law degree or something of the likes :)

For example I've taken maths, further maths, chemistry, performing arts and general studies all to a2 level. Performing arts is a pretty easy fall back grade as is general studies, but the other 3 are the main ones. I want to go do a degree in maths so with a majority sciences thats pretty ok. But if I wanted to do performing arts it would be harder to get in because I have little to none serious essay subjects.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Just pick 3 to do A Level, then a 4th at AS.

I would pick English Lit, Chemistry and Biology at A Level. And Maths or Physics at AS.

My brother bit both Maths and Physics at A Level and got a F or G in one, and failed the other. Despite that he got high grades in his GCSEs. He studied really HARD for the A Levels.

Answer 9

OK this is a tough decision for you, but I suggest you consider very carefully before you decide. I advise you also consider the International Baccalaureate as an alternative to A Levels (You study around 7 subjects inthe IB which gives you scope and flexibility for the future). The IB is welcomed by Universities and can give you a competitive edge. Please do take good advice on this before deciding. ( I did 4 A levels and not the IB but would have done it differently on reflection) PS Career has not been influenced by A levels but by postgraduate level education.....

Answer 10

I originally started out with 5, Biology, English Lit/Lang, chemistry, french, physics. But it was too much. You get alot of research and homework to do and all your teachers will give you coursework at the same time (for same strange reason).
I had to drop a subject (Physics) and I did a lot better.

I have a place at university next year to study forensic science and criminal investigation. I doubt I would have managed to last into my second year of college if i stuck to 5 subects.

Answer 11

I recommend you take 5 AS levels, this is an qualification and last for 1 year, then drop 2 of the harder subjects and only continue with 3 to do your A2 level which will take Another additionally year.