A level maths - advice needed please

@FraterculaArctica does your course require A level maths?

OP I think there are 2 main things to take away from all of this. One being the make an application more competitive means that they would look more favourably on an applicant with maths A level. But also this is about final grades for A level. If she is more likely to ace out another subject then surely that is a better way to go.

Ds got a good 9 in maths GCSE and does maths and further maths A level. He has said that those that got a 7 in maths sometimes struggle as they are not strong enough in certain areas of maths from GCSE level to be able to progress it at A level. He tutors his friend who struggles at times.

The chart posted by GivenchyDahhling is a realistic look at grade possibilities from GCSE to A level.

Why not physics A level if she's strong on science and wanting to do a science degree?

An essay writing subject (eg English, History) can be surprisingly helpful for biology. I teach biological sciences at a v competitive university and the number of students who struggle to put sentences and paragraphs together coherently is worrying.

Honestly don't consider maths A level if she doesn't like maths.

DS2 said that just now as well, funnily enough. He is taking A level Maths and got an A in both versions of his AS gradings in the summer, but I'm not sure that he is terribly in love with it just now. But then, he was even less in love with Physics by the end of year 12 and has already dropped that, so he will just have to put up with it...

@KittyMcKitty

Thank you that’s really encouraging. She doesn’t like maths so it does seem sensible to look at other choices

I would go with doing what she wants to do as if she does maths and gets a low grade that will count her out of where to go etc.

One of my ds's friends did chemistry, biology and history A levels, achieved all A stars and is at Oxford studying biochemistry. I think the A star shows that they didn't need maths at A level to achieve a good chem grade?

I’m Head of Maths and plenty of experience of pupils wavering between taking A Level Maths or not.

Maths is a very difficult A Level. GCSE performance is no guarantee of success (see the attached). If the Grade 8 is from hard work rather than natural ability, it’s more likely that your daughter will find A Level maths difficult and obtain a lower grade, so my view is the trade off between a potentially helpful subject (for her other A Levels and her degree) versus a lower grade on applications/potentially missing an offer needs careful consideration.

Trying again;
link [[https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4059715-Psychology-A-Level-pros-cons?msgid=101133411#101133411]]

I’m also watching with interest as in a very similar situation. Year 11 DD is on track for an 8 in maths and a shot at a 9, but it’s been a long road and her maths teachers have done a fantastic job with her as she really didn’t like maths previously. When I talk to her about it she enjoys the ‘puzzling things out’ aspect of angles etc and is comfortable with the maths in GCSE chemistry/ physics but I think she would find the more abstract nature of maths above GCSE really hard . When we’ve had people come into school to talk to the pupils about applying to medical school they always stress chemistry as the essential A level, then biology as it fits well and then if you aren’t fantastic at maths, something that shows you can write . I think DD might do English as the 3rd as she loves it and as others have said you need to love your A levels.

Thank you @KittyMcKitty! We’re in the Year 11 thread together.

Here’s my psychology A Level thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/40597link

I did Chemistry at Oxford and the Maths component was very very difficult (I had A Level Maths but not Further Maths). I don't know how it compares to Biochemistry but if it is remotely similar it will be quite miserable for someone who doesn't like Maths. I would suggest emailing Oxford and finding out exactly how much Maths there is in Biochemistry.

No advice, sorry, but this is all useful to know! I now have a Q about psychology A Level. I’ll start my own thread so I don’t hijack this one.

My dd is now doing Medical science (equivalent to Biomedical science) at a Russell group university and she only did Maths at AS level. She got an 8 at GCSE but didn't really take to it at A level so stopped after one year.
She did A levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology.

I also meant to say, STEM degrees which don't have maths as a requirement should offer at least two different maths subsid options to suit those with no or weak A level maths v those with good A level maths. Thats another thing which can be checked on the website or if not mentioned by emailing admissions.

The maths needed for A level chemistry isn't particularly difficult. The maths needed for some degree level chemistry options may be.

As to how maths affects various bio degree options - read the websites for the courses she's interested in to see what seems realistic. It only took a moment to find this re Oxford biochemistry

The course has significant maths and biology content, and some physics. The first-year course provides the necessary background in biology, physics and mathematics for those who have not studied these subjects beyond GCSE. However Maths to A-level or the equivalent is very helpful to students in completing the course and, although not required for admission, will make an application more competitive.

https://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/undergraduate-admissions

My nephew did a Biology degree at Uni of Bath with Biology and Chemistry but not maths. He had no problems. My daughter did Psychology but not A level maths and had no problem. In fact her degree is Psychology and doesn’t need A level maths. I’d be wary of Drama. The group work is often a problem and seems not as easy to get top grades. Psychology is relatively easy to get a top grade.

In the school my partner teaches at they wouldn't recommended the maths A level if you were not in the top maths set in year 11, or at least top of set 2. If she's in set 3 she may struggle.

Maths A level is a big jump from GCSE and its a subject you really have to enjoy to succeed at. Its an easy one to feel overwhelmed at.

I took chemistry and biology at A level and although my maths is okay (an A in the old style GCSE) I wasn't gifted enough to take it further, it really does get hard. However I found my knowledge was good enough for chemistry and biology. Might be worth your daughter taking her sciences and picking a strong third option, her predicted grades will look a lot better than having maths potentially pull her down.

Honestly don't consider maths A level if she doesn't like maths.

Do they offer AS maths? Although she would then start off doing four she would soon see which she preferred. Psychology will have maths (well statistics and research methods) in it as well as Biology and Chemistry having maths. She might be happier with Drama or English as her third subject.