28 A Levels

[miniaturepixieonacid]

I was reading about the girl in this BBC article with 34 GCSEs now doing 28 A Levels. The tone is, I feel, relatively negative (cost, no university needs more than 4 etc) and I do agree that doing that many is pointless and would be a huge pressure. But the other side of me thinks that it actually sounds really fulfilling and exciting, not stifling and unnecessary. Imagine how well rounded and extensive your knowledge base would be. I bet she's a fascinating young woman to talk to. 17 year old me would 100% have cracked under the pressure but nearly 40 year old me is almost inspired to start building on my own collection.

What do you think?
YABU - it's crazy, no one needs that many qualifications.
YANBU - worthwhile, exciting use of time for someone who can cope with and enjoy it.

28 A Levels

If she genuinely enjoys learning then crack on. She sounds exceptional but I hope that isn’t at the detriment of her happiness

Having done one law masters (tech law) there are many other modules I could have done (my university did 300 or so options in law)

Doubt another masters seems pointless

But I won't really study it if I have no formal exam /essay at the end. (And obviously access to law articles and journals is restricted to academic institutions mostly)

Self study is hard. Often one needs a focus or goal -that end exam point.

The key phrase is: four of her subjects at school and the rest at home with her study partner, mum Tayyaba.

Poor kid. She must have zero downtime to do regular teenage girl stuff like browse Bershka and talk about Taylor Swift. This is the most extreme example of pushy parenting in a long time.

Less odd when you realise that international A Levels have sittings in June and November each year to take account of the differences in academic years across the world.

But you have to be studying outside the UK to take those. Or at least at an online school.

It's obviously great that she's so motivated, but I'm not sure I see the point in sitting exams in so many subjects. Surely she'd be better off going deeper and more in depth into subjects that really interest her? Passing exams is only a very small part of education.

I knew someone would bring up neurodiversity even though there has been no evidence of such. Bingo!
And no, as a neurodiverse person myself I don't know what you mean by 'accepted' reason to not be sociable.
Whether I (or autistic DH) like it or not social skills are key to life success. No matter how intelligent you are. It's the socially savvy ones that come out on top, most of the time, unless you're lucky enough to have one (or several) influential mentors, encountered by accident.

Especially in 2024 where there are few 'brilliant' academics who can just get on with their work. Everything has to be justified. Politics have to be played for research funding.

This girl wants to be a doctor and then go into research. She's going to need above average networking skills to do that. The other thing is of course medicine, unlike, say mathematics requires a higher than average level of emotional intelligence for all the death and distressing things you see every day. Especially as you're going to be dealing with lots of people in distress. Working under pressure. Again, comes from socialising, which exposes you to different situations not all in your control and teaches you to deal with difficult emotions.

I feel so strongly about this because while not at the level of 28 A-levels, I was the clever one, like a few other PP. Years into my career, exams etc are not relevant as all. It's my understanding of myself, how to relate to people on my terms, etc that has served me the best. When you start work - your nice, logical, highly controllable world of exams and marking schemes fall away. Those who get the plum roles are not the cleverest. They're the most street smart.

This made me laugh! You really think this incredibly gifted and hardworking young woman will struggle with a degree in medicine which other students will manage? Really? I can’t imagine
it myself!

Academic skills are all well and good but where are any social skills.

If she wants to do medicine, there are links with university to learn about the skills and courses. My eldest did one last year and this showed her that medicine wasn't really for her.

She is also studying for her a-levels but has a part time retail job, takes part in guiding and volunteers with a younger pack.

I cannot believe if you are studying that much, she really has much time for her chess, friends etc. Surely her own grammar school will expect a certain amount of after school work for the 4 subjects she is studying there.

Having the kudos of studying all these subjects is great, but experience of life and social skills is just as important.

I think it sounds wonderful and good for her and her Mum

Yes, emotional intelligence and social skills are important. But there's no reason to doubt this girl's social skills anymore than anyone else. Why wouldn't she be able to make friends? Why the need to impose flaws on her?

Oh well. Poor girl might as well give up now, then. Clearly not going to get anywhere in life.

This.

Its a pity she cannot use her phenomenal ability on something more fulfilling that's just notching up a whole slew of public exams.

Well, she might. She might not. That isn't the point.
It's not something to admire or aspire to. Which is the point of this entire AIBU!
Guess you have nothing more intelligent to contribute to this thread anyway.

Get back to me when she has 15 PhDs.

Good on her. I did some A levels as an adult back in the days when there were adult education evening classes at local colleges. Thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Knowing there was an exam at the end was a good motivator to do the studying. I'd never have kept up the studying/research if it was just for fun with no "end point". Such a shame that adult evening classes seem to have disappeared for all but basic English and Maths.

It may or may not be something to aspire to.

But it certainly doesn’t merit the kind of frothing and sneering that’s being demonstrated on here.

What's fulfilling to one person doesn’t have to be fulfilling to others. Other people have all kinds of interests, hobbies and aspirations that I can’t comprehend. But good for them if that’s what they like doing. Life can be boring and unpleasant, so if it keeps her happy (and there’s absolutely nothing to suggest it doesn’t), why not rack up as many A levels as she wants?

Only in Britain would this be something to sneer at.

@titchy

You can self study Cambridge and Edexcel International A levels and sit them at an exam centre as a private candidate, you do not need to be enrolled with an online school.

Forgive me, not read the whole thread, but if it hasn’t been mentioned yet, for all of you that are inspired, the open university does tons of free courses - go have a look and enjoy the journey!

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

As a friend said to me many moons ago, "How other people spend their time always seems ridiculous."

I agree with those above that entering and sitting an exam gives a certain motivation which is missing when just reading around a subject. I did a lot of A-levels back in the day (although one was General Studies) and I'm currently 3/4 of the way through my fifth degree (my third bachelor's). I spend less time and money on that than most folk seem to on their hobbies, so horses for courses. Everyone needs a hobby, right?

Did you actually read the OP?
People aren't 'frothing and sneering'.
The AIBU is about whether this number of A-levels demonstrates intellectual depth. Or is completely unnecessary. People are presenting their opinions on each side. Because, well, that was the question asked!

You claim that this is something to sneer at in Britain but actually. I am from one of those countries that values academic achievement. People are pushed and pushed to do well in exams, but those aren't the skills needed in real life. So many with strings of good grades don't progress. Luckily younger people are waking up to this fact. Especially in 2024 where, unlike 30 years ago, a degree isn't a sure-fire route out of poverty. Back then people HAD to get top grades and they were set for life. These days, they're just one of many.

Again, this is a thread to debate ideas on the importance of exams. And you don't need to defend the girl and her mother. They chose to seek publicity, so presumably they're happy for people to comment on their life choices :)

It’s up to them but if I was asked personally I’d say it was ridiculous. At least she’s paying for most of them privately. There’s more to life than studying and exams, even for a so called “genius”.

It's not needed. However, as long as she's enjoying doing them, I think it's marvellous.
I enjoy learning so much more in my 40s. If I were to do A levels at this point, it would be for pleasure.

I don't think any universities will accept students under 18 now as it is seen as not a suitable environment for a child. This changed after that high profile case of the girl who went to university at the age of 14 (I think). I can't recall her name but apparently she didn't fare so well in adult life and blamed her father for pushing her into it.

We’re not talking about the average bright comp student who was exceptional there but ordinary at Oxbridge. She’s quite likely to be exceptional at Oxbridge too.

I don’t agree that all med students are “extremely bright” either. They all need a good science brain and a good memory, but that’s not unusual.

Are you thinking of Ruth Lawrence?

There's a special issue with medicine, as it involves NHS contracts for the hospital parts and there's a minimum age there. I'm sure someone else knows the details!