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Original poster

Advantages of still doing an AS in subjects which have changed to linear exam??

80 replies

changename54 · 19/11/2015 19:59

One of DS' chosen 4 subjects in Sixth Form has changed to "linear exam format". I believe this means that the A-level is a stand-alone end-of-course exam i.e. the AS is no longer 50% of the mark.

The school will not be entering the whole class for the AS level, so if he wanted to do it, it would have to be as a private entry.

Just wondered what other schools are doing and if there is a consensus on the best way forward?

My feeling is that having four AS levels will make his decision as to which subject to drop for A-level easier. I also wonder how universities will assess candidates that have an AS level against those that don't?

However, if it's a private entry does this mean the school won't properly prepare him for the exam (so he's likely to do worse in it anyhow....)??

Would be very interested to hear other people's view. Thanks.

OP posts:
Temporaryusername8 · 20/11/2015 06:12

I thought that for some subjects the syllabus for first year of linear is a little different from the stand alone AS so there would definitely need to be extra preparation outside school. Personally I would n't bother since if he does well in end of Y12 internal exams then the school's written reference should give him credit for it. .

noblegiraffe · 19/11/2015 22:54

I imagine that if it's private entry he will be nowhere near as well prepared as those candidates whose schools are entering their students, and will have done proper mocks and revision lessons. It would be a bit much to expect his teachers to do this for him in their own time so you'd have to hire a tutor.

BackforGood · 19/11/2015 22:50

My dd's school is putting them all in for AS this year, (while it is all mixed, depending on the subjects) and will then probably review after that.

Her previous school weren't, so, if it depends on the school, then the Universities won't be able to use them as a way of predicting grades like they have been able to in recent years.

jeanne16 · 19/11/2015 21:09

School my son is at is sitting all pupils for AS exams in all subjects this year and will review this again next year.

Suffolkgirl1 · 19/11/2015 20:53

DS's school is still sitting the AS in all subjects, DD's it depends on the subject, some are some not. So it seems to vary.