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Original poster

Can you do 3 A/S levels?

34 replies

aliena · 10/03/2012 20:41

DD is in year 12 and is really struggling with two of her A/S level choices in which she got Ds in the mocks. She is at a sixth form where she really feels the pressure and her confidence has taken a real battering. She suffers with exam anxiety (the GCSEs were a nightmare though she managed just about to take all nine) and has recently been diagnosed with dyspraxia.

I have a meeting with the head of sixth form and I wonder whether I should suggest that she perhaps drop one of her subjects so that she do three A/S levels and then go on to take 3 A'levels. I get the impression though that no one does this. Is this the case? Also, will having taken only 3 A/S's weaken her university applications?

Alternatively, (and she is not keen on this option) she could retake the year (perhaps even switch schools) and choose two different subjects. Her current school offers a very narrow selection of subjects unfortunately.

I just don't think she will be able to handle the pressure with things as they are, despite my best attempts.

OP posts:
Original poster
aliena · 10/03/2012 22:20

She doesn't know what degree yet. I hope she does something that gives her minimal stress.

This year has been relentless though, as bad if not worse than year 11 and I'm absolutely dreading year 13 as well. She has had no time to draw breath. I remember lower sixth as a time to relax and to gather strength for the A'levels.

OP posts:
Ponders · 10/03/2012 22:07

Maths??? that's supposed to be incredibly hard at A level - DS2 was thrilled to be able to drop it in Y12!

He did find French AS a challenge compared with GCSE - it requires much more accurate grammar - but he didn't have a very good teacher Sad French, History and English are all good solid subjects & if she has a half-decent teacher for French she should be OK. What degree is she hoping to do?

Original poster
aliena · 10/03/2012 22:01

Thanks mylittlemiracle. I would support DD doing anything that she wants to do and she knows this, but she wants to go to university. I just hope that she can handle all the stress that this will entail.

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Original poster
aliena · 10/03/2012 21:58

Thanks Ponders. She wants to drop Maths probably. It takes up a huge amount of time (with lots of tears) and her school did not do a module in Jan so they are doing three papers in May and her class are working very intensively to get through the syllabus. Her other subjects are French, History and English. French is also a real struggle. If she did the year again, she would do Art and Psychology with the History and English.

I don't know though why everyone seems to do four A/S's. I only did 3 A'levels in the sixth form in those days before A/Ss. It just seems to be a lot of work and it has been a struggle for her to find that fourth subject.

OP posts:
MyLittleMiracle · 10/03/2012 21:50

I only took 3 a/s levels, and even then cos of bad health i still did badly, but the reason for me only taking three was that i really didnt see any other subjects i would have enjoyed and excelled at! I left at the end of year 12, cos my stomach pains etc were such a problem that I was either in agony, unable to concentrate or taking painkiller that made me drowsy and fall asleep! I didnt really have the option. I look back now to realise that i was ill and it wasnt the right time in MY life to be doing studying because of my health. I now do want to study, but still think sixth form and college is not for me but maybe an apprenticeship or something similar. Maybe this is something your daughter might consider instead?

Ponders · 10/03/2012 21:39

do you think that if she only takes 3, her results in those 3 would be dramatically better than if she goes on with 4, but panics & struggles & does really badly in all of them? if so then the school should be on your side in this - leaving aside her mental health & well-being, which are obviously extremely important too

I think there are probably quite a lot of students who find the process stressful, & that shouldn't count against her providing the school give her a good reference

which subjects is she doing & which would she drop? (DS2's difficult one was French)

Original poster
aliena · 10/03/2012 21:32

Thank you. There is no one at their school who is only taking three A/S's so I do not know what sort of response I will get. And yes I think that if she takes the four, her grades will certainly be affected across the board. To be honest, I think she will simply be unable to do all four through stress and panic.

I hadn't realised there was a points system at UCAs (showing my age!) so taking three could be an issue in that sense I suppose.

Also it now occurs to me that universities may not be keen on an applicant who can't cope with pressure in this way. Also that the school may say something in her reference. Oh well, nothing I can do about this and her mental health and well being come first above all else.

OP posts:
Ponders · 10/03/2012 21:14

DS2 did take 4, but got a D in the 4th - worth only about 30 points at Ucas I think?

The D didn't seem to affect his university applications but I don't know if only taking 3 in the first place would be the same. if it would help her with the other subjects to drop to 3, that seems like an excellent idea, if the Head's agreeable

good luck Smile

kritur · 10/03/2012 21:07

Yes she can do 3 AS subjects and I think with your daughter's academic profile she should probably have been advised to do that. I think the Head of 6th will try and dissuade her from dropping at this stage as it will count against the school in terms of funding. Reasonable adjustments should be made for her exam anxiety, would she feel better taking the exam in a separate room rather than in the hall; I have known students do this. Universities in the main only look at the 3A-levels that will make up the offer.

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