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Original poster

A Level Options - Advice please!

30 replies

OrchardDweller · 28/02/2015 22:52

DS is considering Maths, Physics, Chemistry and DT for A level (he wants to be an engineer). However school have mentioned that this might be a huge workload and that he might want to consider swapping chemistry for say, Geography. Does anyone have any experience with this group of subject choices or can offer any advice? He enjoys chemistry over geography (or poss economics) so should be go with his heart and choose the subjects he likes? Help!

OP posts:
BackforGood · 01/03/2015 00:08

'Huge workload' seems a strange thing to say about a pretty sensible mix of A-levels.
Unless they think he has had to already work hard to get good marks in these for GCSE ?
I think A-levels need to be your strong subjects, but I'm kind of presuming he wouldn't be choosing them if they weren't.

stonecircle · 01/03/2015 00:00

Well it depends what his strengths are! DS2 is in year 13 and doing A2 geography at the moment and has applied to do it at university. He did AS maths last year and dropped it having only managed a D (despite having an A at GCSE). DS3 is currently doing A level maths early and finds it a doddle. Horses for courses.

The step up from GCSE to AS is big for all subjects I think, but particularly maths, and also chemistry. The step up from AS to A2 is quite big too. One of DS2's friends got all A*/A at GCSE, is hoping to do medicine but struggled with AS chemistry and is now really struggling with A2 chemistry.

I think all he can do is choose the subjects he likes - A levels can be enough of a battle without having to struggle with a subject you're not really interested in!

Chopchopbusybusy · 28/02/2015 23:50

DD1 did maths, physics, chemistry and biology and is now at university studying engineering. She dropped biology for A2. It was a heavy workload and I know she had to work very hard. She really wanted to do engineering though so that drove her on. Her cousin did physics, maths and geography and he is doing civil engineering.
As a previous poster said it is a big step up from GCSE. DD was an A* student at GCSE but she really had to put the work in to her A levels.
DD2 started geography A level and hated it. She only lasted until Christmas. Provided he has Maths and Physics any of the other three you mentioned are perfectly acceptable choices so he should choose the ones he enjoys most.

OhOneOhTwoOhThree · 28/02/2015 23:12

I guess your DS needs maths for engineering - but beware, the step up from GCSE if huge. DS1 got an A at GCSE and even so really struggled, and has now dropped it (after bombing at AS). He's doing 2 sciences (biology and chemistry) and geography and it seems like a lot of work.

Good luck to your DS, I hope he will be happy with his choices Smile

castlesintheair · 28/02/2015 23:06

If he wants to go down the civil engineering route then maybe geography instead of chemistry, otherwise I'd stick with the subject he enjoys most and chemistry is the best fit with maths and physics. Does he have to do four? I'd drop DT.