Changing A Level in Year 13.

[livingontheedgeee]

DD just finishing Yr12 is doing A'levels in Chemistry, Physics, Maths.

She knows she wants to do a science based degree but has had the most god-awful year in Maths. Her tutor is detached, who whole class just failed the mock, basically it's a mess.

The school are going to put things in place to try and overcome the situation (extra lessons, change teachers etc.) but DD thinks it's her ideal opportunity to drop it and take Biology instead therefore leaving her with an option to do medicine.

Have any of your DC done the Biology A level in one year? Is it even possible to do it and come out with an A?

DD got A* at GCSE and has brought home the books to catch up over the summer. She's also looked at next year's timetable and can attend 6 out of 8 of the first year Biology classes next year as well as the 2nd year lessons.

All the other courses she's looking at for uni will all take Biology rather than Maths.

In order to apply for medicine for 2019.her application will need to be in by mid October. It will be very difficult for staff to write a reference for her if she has only been doing one A level for a few weeks.

Also, as far as I know, chemistry is the required a level for medicine, others can either be maths, physics or biology, so what she is currently studying might still be a better option?

Perhaps an external maths tutor would be an option?

I think she's worried that if the Maths fiasco continues for another year then she's scuppered her chance to come out with an A and therefore won't be eligible to apply for any of her chosen courses. Some do need the Biology rather than Maths.

Just been looking at tutors and that might be an option. Luckily we have the summer to consider everything.

Not sure she's too worried about the reference thing as it could work in her favour if she's able to get a couple of good end of topic results in before the end of October and show she'd been able to catch up with everyone else over the summer.

She started Physics half-way through the first year (after making a mistake taking Business) and cam out with a B in the mock so she knows she can do it if she gets her head down.

I know an A Level can be fast tracked in one year via a distance learning so I don't see why not but it will be up to the school whether or not she does it and whether they believe she can handle such pressure, she has chosen some of the notoriously difficult subjects so they will want to make sure she isn't taking on too much even if she is perfectly capable.

Is doing an extra year not an option?

Not sure she's too worried about the reference thing as it could work in her favour if she's able to get a couple of good end of topic results in before the end of October

Unfortunately, though, the deadline for UCAS applications for Medicine is October 15th, so the reference will have to have been written before this - realistically, she is looking more at the end of September.

Having said that, DD's 6th form won't be giving official grade predictions until nearer the end of September, to give those who did less well than they hoped / expected in the end of year exams a chance to 'redeem themselves'.

Ditto what PandaG said. Maths, phys and chem good for medicine. Catching up biology would mean practicals as well as core material, which would be tricky. In her/your shoes I would 100% go for a good external maths tutor right now to sort out the under par year 12 maths and steer her through year 13 from September. If she wants to do medicine she'll need to do relevant work experience and the UKCAT/BMAT as appropriate too.

My DS was in a similar situation this time last year - well, he found out on results day he had to drop the maths. Anyway we found a local tutorial school that does 1 year A levels. It cost but was do-able and worth it to get his confidence and self-esteem back. He attended college for the other 2 A levels and the tutorial school for the 3rd. The main school wrote the UCAS reference and the tutorial school emailed their bit incl predictions to the first school. It took a bit of organising and liasising by us but he got 5 Uni offers and is now waiting for results to see if he got want he wants to do. If you google tutorial school or tutorial college you should find a similar school close to you. Talk to them - they have lots of options and know the ropes.

How would the school be able to give an A prediction after a few weeks of biology?

She might be better off redoing year 12 with biology if she wants 3 As.

They do give predictions for a 1 year A level even though they have just started. It's up to them then to get the predicted grade.