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Original poster

Physics A level...

69 replies

Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:21

Dd is doing combined science for GCSE (so not triple) but loves physics and wants to take it at A level.

I know that A level sciences are a massive jump. She's predicted a 7s in science and maths.

Is physics a silly idea? Her other choices are English literature and textiles Confused

OP posts:
blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:31

Yes, you sit the A level exams with topics from both years at the end. As you do when taking a levels only.

Teenmum60 · 28/01/2018 21:27

I think some colleges are still offering AS levels even though they do not count - this is our Sixth form college view :

In your first year you have the opportunity to take a combination of four A-Levels and/or Foundation Diplomas.
If you take A-Levels you will sit an AS examination at the end of your first year. This will help you to decide which subjects to continue with in your second year.
Typically you will continue with three subjects in your second year.

titchy · 28/01/2018 21:27

But yeah, let's shoot the guy for giving me insightful advice. L

No let's shoot him for giving incorrect advice that is contrary to his own institutions fair access agreement.

AS exams do not count towards the A level grade. They may be taken, where schools still do them (more often than not in the private sector, hence the discriminatory views of blaake's tutor friend). The entire A level paper, so first year and second year subjects, must be sat at the end of the two year course.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:24

AS and A levels will be assessed at the end of the course. AS assessments will typically take place after 1 year’s study and A levels after 2. The courses will no longer be divided into modules and there will be no exams in January.

Your own link.

Do you teach in a college in which as levels are not taught anymore?

TheSecondOfHerName · 28/01/2018 21:24

3 A levels do fill a full timetable

Not in schools / sixth forms where doing four A-levels (e.g. to include Further Maths) is an option. Otherwise some of the students would be doing 133% of a timetable.

strongandlong · 28/01/2018 21:23

How about physics, maths and English? That would give a lot of options for uni.

I did physics/maths/chem and wish I'd done something other than chem.

usainbolt · 28/01/2018 21:22

a level reform will confirm what I have said Blaaake

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:22

That's nice dear but I'm inclined not to believe you, if you think you have to resit as levels for no reason at the end of year 13.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:21

AS-levels will still exist, and you can continue to take a separate AS-level qualification at the end of Year 12 before dropping the subject or going on to take the full A-level in Year 13; but unlike before, your AS results won't count towards your A-level grade.

From your own link

usainbolt · 28/01/2018 21:20

blake Yep Sixth form lecturer

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 21:20

Well, not sure if dds school is unusual! But they do 3 a levels, epq and lots of community based stuff. No AS levels.

OP posts:
greathat · 28/01/2018 21:18

As levels are being phased out... university.which.co.uk/advice/a-level-choices/a-level-changes-what-it-means-for-you
The bit about prestigious universities preferring them is crap. They will be gone soon

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:16

usainbolt do you actually know what you're talking about? Most of what you just said is completely incorrect.

usainbolt · 28/01/2018 21:14

You can still do AS levels but unis do not want them. If you go onto do the full A level the AS has to be resat in the second year.

3 A levels do fill a full timetable average 4.5 to 5 hours per subject

BobbinThreadbare123 · 28/01/2018 21:11

I taught physics until a couple of years ago. You don't need maths A Level alongside it. It is doable without but I would expect any student who did that to have an excellent GCSE grade in maths and to ensure they made the effort. Most of the maths is rearranging equations, standard form and graphing in lower 6th then there will be logs and exponentials on top of that in upper 6th.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:11

Of course they still exist Confused as I said, my son is in year 12 and is doing 4

TheSecondOfHerName · 28/01/2018 21:11

Three A-levels don't fill a whole timetable, so students usually do something supplementary (e.g. EPQ) Some schools offer a course called Core Maths in this slot, for those doing Science A-level(s) without Maths.

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 21:10

Well her school (academic lots to rg and oxbridge) doesn't do them.

I am sure they don't actually exist anymore do they?? Not in all exam boards?

OP posts:
blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:08

It was in June, after GCSE's. But yeah, let's shoot the guy for giving me insightful advice. Lovely

Teenmum60 · 28/01/2018 21:07

My DD is going to do Physics A Level without Maths....The HT has said this is fine and so has the A Level Physics Teacher (who is her current teacher) ...it does close the door to any engineering etc degree if they do not have Maths but it doesn't close the door to some other degrees. The school said they would assist DD with any Maths support she needs to complete Physics...she is doing another Science and DT Graphics.

titchy · 28/01/2018 21:06

Then the tutor needs shooting for discrimination.

Unless the tutor said this two or more years ago before they were decoupled.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:05

And the phrase about prestigious universities preferring candidates with as levels is almost word for word what he said.

titchy · 28/01/2018 21:05

And the prestigious universities generally prefer candidates that have them

No they categorically do not.

blaaake · 28/01/2018 21:04

Well, considering I was advised by a tutor I know at Cambridge to choose a college for my son that still offered as levels, I don't think I am

Original poster
Scabbersley · 28/01/2018 20:54

I hate the way they have to specialise so early! I'm trying to encourage her to do the IB for this reason!

OP posts:
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