How big is the step up to A levels really?

My son is in y12. The sheer volume of work has been a shocker, but he seems to be coping well. He got mostly A and A* at GCSE.

He's doing 3 sciences and geography. My niece is doing 4 less academic subjects and is having a much easier time.

My DB who is a science teacher says that in his subject at least, very able kids do better at A level than GCSE because they know too much for the type of answer they are looking for GCSE.

Massive jump. However it is often those who have sailed through GCSE who struggle at A level as they aren't used to having to graft and think they can get away with doing little work outside of lessons. It also knocks their confidence as they are covering topics they they don't understand straight away.

Your DD needs to get some honest feedback from her teachers. If she is a hard worker she may find A levels ok. I teach Psychology and its not always easy to predict who will do well (unlike in my other subject - biology) as it depends on how much they like the subject, how hard they work, particularly outside of lesson as well as their intelligence.

I got 9 Bs at GCSE and 3 As at A level 20 years ago back in the day.

So I would say while they are harder they also give people a chance to really excel at what they are good at.

I think all you can do is have a plan A and plan B. I bet her grades surprise you!

Honest teacher opinion- I would be worried about taking on a pupil with b/c gcses. You'd have to choose subjects very carefully and help them manage their time, wider reading etc carefully from the off for them to get reasonable grades. But it's doable- English language is easier than Lit, for example.

My observation is that bright youngsters who coast and get As at GCSE will have to work harder at A level to get A/B. To get A even the brightest have to work very hard.

It's not just doing the work set, it's learning to self study as well which many find difficult. DS2 (A*As at GCSE) is doing 3 sciences and maths and getting good grades so far but is also finding it hard to self study (ie do additional work on the curriculum but not specifically teacher set.)
He tells me many of his classmates are regularly getting very low marks and he can't work out why because they were A graders at GCSE.

I think it depends on the subject.. DD1 said some of the courses for A Level seemed easier than GCSE .

I think it depends on the subject.
My sons' school gives a list of entry requirements for each subject, which has been developed from their experience of students and how well they cope.

If you want to do Maths A-level, they ask for an A in GCSE Maths.
If you want to do Chemistry A-level, they ask for an A in GCSE Chemistry.

However, if you want to do History A-level, they only ask for a B in History or a B in English language.

As of next year there won't be as and a2. There will be as which are half an an levels and then full a level.

I worry about it too teen. My dd is predicted A and A*s, but she is not exceptionally clever, just works really hard. The subjects she is choosing seem very demanding, maths physics chemistry, and I wonder if she will cope.
I asked the sixth form college about choice changes, and they said it was fairly common, so I guess we will just have to suck it and see.

I think it depends. In A-levels often a level of analysis is required that isn't needed at GCSEs. Part of this comes from a deeper understanding of the subject, but sometimes a greater level of maturity is needed too, and her grades might improve as she gets older.

I would say it is easy for bright children to sail through GCSEs without much effort, but normally some effort is required at A-level.

If she follows the usual 4 AS- 3A2 route, she will have more time to focus on less subjects, so I'm not sure the working at capacity issue is always a problem.

From my own experience, the sciences, especially biology are quite content heavy compared to humanities.

Do you think a BTEC might be a better option for her? If she knows what she wants to do, this can still lead to uni, and focusing on just one area she really enjoys might make things easier?

Good question Teen. The teachers all stressed this at the 6th Form Open Evening. Choices need to be in by Feb.

His teachers will advise you if A levels are suitable.
Remember you can't have enough qualifications,and more qualifications equals greater choice.