Changing an A-level?

[TortoiseshellTom]

My Y12 DD is doing Eng lit, history and biology A-levels.

Although she got a 7 for GCSE biology, she is finding this subject at A-level incredibly difficult. Admittedly I don’t think she’s worked as hard as she could have but in her first report she’s been predicted an E! Obviously I know she can turn this round to some extent but she just seems to find it an enormous struggle. Her brain is obviously much more wired towards the humanities and she’s regretting not taking sociology or Art.

She told me this weekend she thinks she’s going to fall or do v badly and it’s sapping her confidence and diverting her focus from her other two subjects. She wants to go to uni though she hasn’t decided on a course yet - but obviously 3 A levels is the normal requirement.

Has anyone’s child successfully switched courses at this late stage? I’m going to ask to meet with her teachers to discuss a plan but I’m feeling really worried for her.

Glad things are working out for your dd, her school sounds very supportive.

I’ve spoken to my child’s teachers now and they say she’s showing some improvement - and can turn things around if she really goes for it. I think this has helped her to feel more motivated, being predicted an E in term 1 when she’d barely got her head around a new way of working was NOT helpful.

Anyway, too late to change course now so we’ve agreed she’s going to really work hard, and see how she gets on.

Hi..I know this is a little old but wondering how your ddis getting on. My dd also year 12 and struggling a bit with biology....although doing great with her other subjects.

Hey - my daughter has made great strides, now predicted a B.

A-level bio seems to be a huge step up from GCSE - I think the main thing has been understanding the need to constantly consolidate teaching at home, doing old exam papers and understanding the mark schemes. You really have to know what they’re looking for in exam questions and learning the mark schemes is key. I don’t necessarily agree with this as it seems like rote learning, especially when you have to use certain words and phrases - but that’s the way it is!

Has your daughter been going through old exam questions? Has made a big difference here.

Hi...thanks for your reply. Your dd sounds like shes doing really well!

I agree with you about the rote learning for the exam. Dd has gone through a lot of past papers and has just sat mocks. Her other two subjects are good but biology we haven't had the results back for. She is convinced shes failed..and she needs a predicted A in biology for her preferred uni.

Has your dd had any thoughts about uni?

.

Fingers crossed for those results - & hopefully she’s done much better than she thinks! It feels stressful that predicted grades at this stage play such a big role in uni choices.

My DD is looking at psychology as a degree - many unis require 3 As though as it seems v competitive. She’s not sure though - we’re looking at various possibilities - lots to think about this summer!

What degree is your DD interested in?

Hi..her A levels are Biology, chemistry and psychology and shes looking at a biomedical sciences degree, which is looking at humane diseases and medicines..hence why Biology is so important!

In fact in your first post you said your dd was more wired to humanities..but my dd go two As for chemistry and psychology and is still struggling with biology!

Hi, yes she definitely is more wired to humanities.
My older daughter has just done her A-levels, bio, chem and English - she’s got a place at med school, so definitely more science- inclined. However, she found biology a bit of a struggle too, partly the sheer amount of content and also the v strict mark schemes. She said things clicked for her a lot more in year 13 - watching videos really helped. I’ll try and found out which ones and let you know.