GCSEs and beyond - advice please?

Uaually $ As's then drop one subject and carry on with 3 A2's in the second year. Although my nephew didn't drop a subject so did 4 A2's.

It's also worth talking to the admissions officers. I have found them really helpful and sympathetic.

Ponders - that was on the UCAS site, in regard to the philosophy/history course - I haven't any more info, but I was going to call the admissions people about this. I don't know if it's a general requirement or specific to that course.

But it's worth looking closely at the York site for that info for your DS.

oh dear

York

I have already suggested he do an extra AS level this year (he has lots of free periods) but he is a lazy sod in many ways & has point-blank refused

Thanks for that, Pixie - I will try to use that as ammo (he is quite keen on York)

- some also dictate what AS results they expect - York says that every completed AS level (by which I assume they mean ones that are dropped in Yr12), must be at level B or above

really, BIWI? Damn. York is one of DS2's likely choices but the AS he's dropped was a D. His other 3 were As, & in 3 of the 6 modules he scored 100% - would they definitely not even consider him because of the D???

DS1 has just finished his A levels, and is going through the universithy application process for the 2nd time (he did better than expected, so is re-applying).

Most seem to do three A2s, but start with 4 AS levels, and then drop one - as has already been said on this thread. However, the more intellectually able at DS's college did 4 A2s. This obviously means they have a full timetable and a lot of revision to do, so you have to be sure your child is up to it - doing a 4th could potentially detract from the other 3.

But there is an advantage to doing 4 A2s if the university you apply to makes their offer in points - as you have an automatic chance of gaining more points. A2s command more points than ASs.

Critical thinking/General Studies - IME of the universities DS has been looking at - are rarely considered/included in the points offer.

Nor, sadly, is the Extended Project. Although this is supposed to count as an AS level, and commands the same number of points, some universities will also not accept this (a shame for DS as he got an A*/70 points for his!).

Other things to beware of/look out for:

• some universities (Exeter is one) specify that they as well as specific A2 grades - usually AAA/AAB - they expect GCSEs to be excellent - meaning As and A*s
• some also dictate what AS results they expect - York says that every completed AS level (by which I assume they mean ones that are dropped in Yr12), must be at level B or above
• some also dictate what grades must have been achieved in Maths/English GCSE. DS is going to philosophy & history, but for some universities has to get a B in Maths GCSE.

Writing a good personal statement will also be important - if you Google 'personal statement' you will find various sites that give you examples on how to do this. There are also a load of books about the PS too (although personally I think you don't need to spend your money on these - there's enough help online/from the UCAS site and, hopefully, from your school).

It's a minefield, but hopefully some of this is helpful!

A few universities discount AS/A levels levels in a native langiage as well as those done early. They still look on them favourably, but exclude them from offers they make if you see what I mean.

On doing 5 subjects, some children do and most often it is children who do further maths and maths as two of their choices. Apparently for able mathematicians this combination isn't really as much work as two subjects and also they often need more other choices to keep a good range. Some schools even timetable maths+ f. maths as just one option choice. F. maths is a very good choice for a would be physicist or engineer.

Thanks. Dd2's school does AS Business Studies in yr10 and the A2 in yr11 (for the more able). I wondered if it was a sneaky way to get more students good grades as in the sixth form they could get away with only studying 2 subjects and thus get better grades.

If you take an A-level out of year (like Suzi's dd will), does this count? I mean, if a university wants ABB and Suzie's dd got an A in yr11 will that mean they will accept two Bs from her A-levels taken at the 'proper' time 2 years hence?

DD is going into 6th form and is doing 4 AS and dropping one subject so 3 A2. Opted to replace general studies for work experience.

Did ask as we'd heard of others doing 5 AS and 4 A2's to be told that the more academic pupils won't need to do anymore than 3 at A level. The ones who are only going to scrap C-E's might be better doing one more to clock up Ucas points. Most redbrick unis only want 3 A Level grades.

We've been advised that for science courses at university, tutors prefer you to do lots of science and maths A levels, rather than having a more diverse selection. I think the trend this days is often to go for a bit of a mix of sciences/humanities/languages at A level, but interesting that while arts subjects are quite happy for some science etc in the A level mix, many science courses actually prefer a narrower range.

So for AS choices maths + 2 sciences + either f. maths or another science would be a very strong combination. You could replace the f. maths or last science with something else though and it would still be good.

Is she doing separate sciences for GCSE? It's not essential, but it might help.

If your DD needs to move to do sixth form, do start looking at sixth form colleges or other sixth form options. Do start asking them questions.

Which science does she want to study? Is she studying triple science now or double? How good is her maths?

Has she been on any Smallpiece Engineering courses, or other outside courses? Has she visited your local university? Is she looking at Oxbridge, if so has she visited? Does her school normally send to Oxbridge?

Good luck.

At our High School the standard is to do 4 Ass and usually drop one for A2s. Its a very well respected and highly performing comprehensive. They don't seem to do much around General Studies or Critical thinking but they do offer langiuages tuition for those who want to add an extra, and some students do an additional GCS eg in a new langauge.

My DD did the Advanced Extension exams in 2 languages and these seemed to work in her favour with Cambridge when she missed out by one grade in her music A2. She is now studying languages.

Re Personal statements: when does your DD do work experience? has she got something science-y lined up?

useful guide on personal statements = MN again

there are quite a few admissions tutors/partners of admissions tutors on here & their input is invaluable

There are two (?three) sides to the 'how many A Levels' question.
The student (and Universities) want enough to get on Uni courses. This means three good A Levels. Quality, not quantity.
Schools want to appear well in the league tables, where they are listed by UCAS tariff points (eg an A grade A Level is worth 120 points). So extra qualifications, like Critical Thinking, are quite useful to schools to bump them up the lists.