Further maths A level - should I post in this section?

[furthermaths]

DD loves maths and is predicted 9 at maths/further maths gcse/level 2. However everyone keeps saying how hard the A level is and how many drop out and am wondering if it is maybe more suited to those who are better at the maths challenges etc. Or would the cats testing be a good indicator of potential.

@GoodNamesOnly her plan is maths, FM, then a science and a practical (so maths, fm, chemistry and art for example) so if she dropped fm she wouldnt have 4 academic a levels despite having or being predicted 11 x grade 9 gcses

@furthermaths
Your DD needs 3 academic A-levels for any university. PE or food tech wont count.
Art will count for many degrees, but not STEM.

So - yea, following the passion is great. But one also needs to think practically - as your DD will need to pick uni subject to apply for in the summer after first year of A-levels.
Problem with taking hard A-levels, like Maths/FM, science And Art is that she’ll be spreading herself too thin, and as a result not achieve the grades she is capable of.
So - you need some thinking behind the choice of A-levels.

For eg:
…take Maths/Art it you think architecture
…Take FM - if thinking engineering, other STEM or economics
…etc

Practical A-levels are great in principle - but she needs to realise that choices may impact what she can apply fo.

Alternatively - and this is what some of my DD ‘s friends do was take 3 academic Alevels, apply for deferred entry, do their ‘passion’ during gap year - language, art, etc.

Not event experience, but I only got an A at GCSE but got As in 13 maths modules at Alevel (before A*) because the small group, enthusiasm of the class and more interesting subject matter suited me much better than GCSE. Idid need to work my arse off though. Give it a try, she can always do down to single if it's too much. I hate people who try to tell (especially girls) that maths will be too hard for them.

Also, FM is a full A level. There is no uni that requires FM + 3 other a levels.

Your DD needs three A Levels. Some unis will want two science/maths but not many courses require 3. I have a student this with a Cambridge interview from bio chem and PE.

I wonder if you’re trying to find a situation where she doesn’t close any doors - it’s just not possible. Maths, a science and a practical is a great mix. She can start FM and drop if it’s too hard - she would just join the normal maths class at that point.

Art and PE are accepted as 'proper A levels' by RG universities, e.g. a friend of DD is doing art, biology, chemistry and is applying for medicine and has two interviews already. If she wants to do a science degree then she needs two STEM subjects but that includes maths, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, PE, psychology. Please check the websites of the universities she is interested in and see what their requirements are because some are pickier, e.g. Durham wants maths for a chemistry degree. But MN has a lot of nonsense and snobbery about 'proper' A levels.

As far as doing maths and FM goes, DD got a (solid) 8 in maths at GCSE, didn't have the option of FM GCSE, and is doing FM at college. Their requirements are an 8 or 9 in maths for A level but they look at all the GCSE grades to make sure they are solid in STEM. Our colleges does the two subjects in parallel rather than sequentially, which suits the kids better because if they struggle with FM they can drop out at any time and will still be sitting 3 A levels in Y13 (they can sit AS level FM in Y12 if they want to drop out so lots of options).

@JaninaDuszejko

You post confirms that it is important to consider Uni course requirements when looking at A-levels.

Medicine often requires Chemistry + 1 science - so as a 3rd you can take Art -(or PE, at least for some unis). But Medicine
is really competitive, and Art will put you at disadvantage vs kids with Maths, or another science. And PE will be considered to have overlapping content with Biology, so some unis wont accept that.

and Maths and FM are requited for many STEM subjects. However - if applying for competitive humanities courses - at some unis they won’t be considered as two separate A-levels - and you’ll need to have Maths + two essay based humanities subjects.

So - it all depends on the path your child is likely to go. And selecting a combination that keeps options open.