Is General Studies AS worth taking?

[hellsbells99]

Just that really!
DD1 has been asked today if she wants to take it. Is it worth the time and effort? They are going to be told more tomorrow.
She is taking maths & sciences at A level so a heavy workload already.
Most uni courses she has looked at say things like ABB at A level. A couple of the lower ones say 300-320 points - would this include AS points do you think (in which case it may be worthwhile doing it)?
She is not widely read, doesn't particularly keep updated with current affairs but can write a reasonable essay.

[Reincarnatedpig]

Short answer is no.

DDs school still have elective short courses to complement 6th form studies but they are not examined. Critical reasoning is also available as an optional extra A level.

They also do the Extended Project but it is optional.

[ErrolTheDragon]

AFAIK General studies doesn't really count for anything.

This might be useful.

[creamteas]

Many universities exclude general studies from any offers they make, so in terms of getting offers it will probably not be helpful.

But if a student has just missed their offer on A level results day, having an additional AS can make a difference as to whether or not they still get offered a place.

This is because university league tables use tariff points, so a student that drops a grade at A level but has an AS can be on the same points as a student who meets their offer.

[hellsbells99]

Thanks for your replies all.
Creamteas - that is the bit that is making us think! She also has music grades -grade 6 (should be at least grade 7 by results day next year) so will these help at all if she drops a grade?

[creamteas]

Music exams currently count. Distinction at grade 7 is 60 points the same as an A at AS.

However, there are some ongoing discussions about what qualifications should carry points (some were recently dropped).

So whilst I can't imagine music exams will drop off, it is possible that they might.

[Lilymaid]

DS1 took General Studies AS without any preparation and got an A. He said that if he had bothered to look at an exam paper or two before sitting the exam he might have got full marks (as several class mates did). I looked at the paper and it looked like anyone with a reasonable education could get a good grade without much effort.

[webwiz]

DD1 did General Studies A level in year 12 and one of her universities made an offer based on her remaining two A levels (Biology at Sheffield). I've just checked and they still accept General Studies as a third A level.

I would check how much work is involved - DD1 just took the exam with no preparation and see if anywhere your DD is likely to apply to will consider it and then decide.

[Theas18]

DS opinion- not worth the effort though it takes not time lol

Useful/acceptable as a 4th a level at Sheffield apparently - though why they want a 4th subject who knows.

[Shente]

Some universities do accept General studies a2 as one of the grades (including some "better" ones, definitely Sheffield but others too). AS is less useful but is more likely to help boost points in a near miss scenario than music grades. Although music exams do technically give you points it is up to individual Unis whether they accept them and the reality is that things like that are generally only taken if they are relevant to the degree course.

[Shente]

Theas it's accepted as a 3rd by Sheffield and has been very useful in getting some of my students out of holes on results day.

[TalkinPeace]

at the college DD is going to its compulsory
I suspect that those who get the A or A* will be regarded well by Unis for having bothered, if not for the actual UCAS points

[MillyMollyMama]

Looking at a comprehensive list of universities and preferred A levels compiled by The Guardian, General Studies is the one most frequently not wanted for most courses as a 3rd A level. I think it says far more about a person to have studied a musical instrument to a high grade than doing a an AS in General Studies, particularly if it can be done with no studying. Interestingly not everyone can play a musical instrument at grade 8 because it takes years of studying. Sheffield University definitely goes against the norm in accepting it. It makes some of their courses very easy to access in comparison to those at other universities. I am surprised but I still would not bother to do it unless your DD felt she was not likely to get the grades her chosen course requires.

[coco44]

It's not something they do any work for, as far as I can tell.All the kids do it for AS at least but it is not certificated