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Secondary education

A levels: Maths, Economics and....

95 replies

Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:38

Which third one?

He doesn’t like French or English. Is quite good at Chemistry but doesn’t like Physics or Biology. He likes History but doesn’t enjoy essay writing. Maybe Geography but he doesn’t seem that fussed.

Maths and Chemistry are his strongest subjects (targeting grade 8s) although he is doing Trilogy Science.

What do others do? He’s not sure what he wants to study but I’d say he might suit something Business/Economics/Maths related as he’s interested in the business field/how economies work.

Thanks!

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En0laGay · 22/01/2021 20:40

Government and Politics?

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noblegiraffe · 22/01/2021 20:41

Do they not offer Business?

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mummykauli7 · 22/01/2021 20:43

Most subjects related to science at university require chemistry. It might be a good option to take to keep his choices open.

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:44

Yes they do offer Business. Also Psychology (although grades historically low but could be the cohort), Politics and Geology. He’s dyslexic and not keen on essay writing!

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MoreHairyThanScary · 22/01/2021 20:46

Further maths?

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MrsBennettsSecretSon · 22/01/2021 20:46

Further maths?

My dyslexic non-essay writing DS had an 8 for maths at gcse and is doing maths, further maths and physics (and enjoying them)

Only if he loves maths of course!

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:46

He was advised not to do both BS and Economics. Not quite sure why - too similar?

In previous years they’ve been allowed to do 4 until October half term then drop one to help them choose.

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Proudpeacock · 22/01/2021 20:47

I did maths, further maths and economics

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Mumoftwoinprimary · 22/01/2021 20:48

Maths, further maths, economics and chemistry?

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:49

He’s not even top set maths, I’m not sure about further maths. He’s always been pretty good but he’s in a very strong year group. He seems to be suddenly doing a lot better and got an 8 and a 9 in his most recent assessments (non calc and calc). He doesn’t like “wordy” questions.

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MrsBennettsSecretSon · 22/01/2021 20:51

Chemistry is very useful for many things too

Why is he doing trilogy (that is the new word for double, am I right? So not triple science?) if he is predicted 8s? With an 8 in Chemistry he should be able to do it at a-level

Check out university course requirements, eg, for doing business studies at, say, Bath, what a-levels do they ask for?

There are surprises so worth checking out

(For example I did not know FM was important for engineering degrees until we researched it)

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ScrapThatThen · 22/01/2021 20:53

Dd is doing maths, geography and psychology. She might want to do an economics degree but maths is the main requirement for that and geography seems to include some economics as well as other areas of interest. Chemistry is her reserve.

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PlanDeRaccordement · 22/01/2021 20:53

How about computer science? Or Law?

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 20:54

@MrsBennettsSecretSon

Chemistry is very useful for many things too

Why is he doing trilogy (that is the new word for double, am I right? So not triple science?) if he is predicted 8s? With an 8 in Chemistry he should be able to do it at a-level

Check out university course requirements, eg, for doing business studies at, say, Bath, what a-levels do they ask for?

There are surprises so worth checking out

(For example I did not know FM was important for engineering degrees until we researched it)

He was never really that into Science. He did the Trilogy so he could do Drama too. He’s just got better as time has gone on. He’s woeful at Biology so I think his Science grades will be quite weak unfortunately. His teacher said he was working at a 7 equivalent in his Chemistry.
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hoodiemum · 22/01/2021 20:54

Chemistry is a good one if he likes it. With maths and chemistry, you can do a very large variety of STEM degrees, inc things like medicine and civil engineering (it might limit your choice of uni if you don't have another science, but possible). With economics added to the mix (which btw has some essay writing, doesn't it??), you can do most social science degrees, PPE etc, as well - and of course businessy courses. So if he's undecided what he wants to do in life, Maths, Chemistry and Economics is quite a good, broad set. BUT if it's anything like schools around here, his school will likely try to push him into all science and maths, or maths/econ/politics (or maths/econ/Further Maths if he's brave enough).

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yogamatted · 22/01/2021 20:54

I would suggest chemistry too, since it's his best subject and keeps the door open to most things science related

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RedskyBynight · 22/01/2021 20:58

Maths, Economics and Chemistry would seem like a good combination. The not liking essays (my DS is the same) rules out a lot of things!

I didn't think that FM was particularly important for engineering degrees (back in the day you didn't even need a Maths A Level!) although it would potentially be a bonus.

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Enidblyton1 · 22/01/2021 20:59

Chemistry would be great if he enjoys it. Broader than doing further maths.
Geography is essay based, like history.

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:00

I’m laughing at the politics and law suggestions. He’s such a brilliant (manipulative 😱😁) negotiator, I’d always said he’d make a good politician or a lawyer!

School doesn’t offer law and he didn’t do CS GCSE.

Maybe chemistry is a good shout, shame he didn’t do the full gcse. Might need to get him up to speed on it in the summer.

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RedskyBynight · 22/01/2021 21:01

The only concern would be if his Biology grade is likely to be woeful, is his combined science grade going to be good enough to study Chemistry A Level (though if he's staying at his current school, that may be less of a concern).

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AvonCallingBarksdale · 22/01/2021 21:02

Mine’s doing maths, FM, economics and biology- seems a good combo.

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PlanDeRaccordement · 22/01/2021 21:04

If law not offered and he might like to be a solicitor, philosophy is ok for law school.

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:06

@hoodiemum

The school is very relaxed on subject choice. they even let my daughter do A level History with a 4 at GCSE.

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Goingdooolally · 22/01/2021 21:08

No philosophy, it’s a small independent school. The usual traditional academic subjects plus Psychology, Geology, Economics, Business Studies, Theatre Studies and Politics.

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iMatter · 22/01/2021 21:10

My ds is going to do maths, further maths, economics and biology

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