Switching A Level at this point

[LizzyBizzyLizzy]

My DS (year 12) wants to switch one of his A Levels over to English Literature. He did fairly well at gcse in English (7) but is worried he’s shot in himself in the foot by starting now as there will be a lot of catch up. Has anyone else got experience of this and was it doable? Thanks

Many years ago I had a complete re-jig of my a levels after year 12 And I did combined lang/lit in a year alongside 2 other a levels plus general studies. It was fine and I got an A.

Would his school/college allow him to do it? I know my dd's school sixth form only allow them to switch subjects for the first few weeks of term in September.

I’d be amazed if they let you. Our cut off date is end of October for this reason - loads to catch up on and other a levels liable to take a hit at this point

I would say it’s perfectly doable at this stage, but be aware the grade boundaries are really high for Eng Lit, In 2024 you needed 91% for an A, compared to say an A in Politics , or Economics A level, which was around 72% (AQA)

Re the timing, in my son’s 6th form College,if you had the ability, they would let you switch before the end of the term in year 12,

Speak to school. My DD had some issues and so her sixth form gave her the option to stagger her A-levels over 3 years. So she continues with 2 subjects in year 12, picks up the third in year 13 and then stays for a year 14 to finish.

Sorry I mean A STAR for the boundaries

Yes they are open to him doing it and said it has sometimes happened before, but he obviously has to put in a lot of extra work to catch up.

Depends on the exam board actually.

Yes thats why I said AQA, but I think the pattern is similar for EDXCEL etc

What is he swapping from and why would be my questions?

OP I posted on your other thread but agree with @Libre2 – why is he swapping and what from? What is his aim? If the school is on board that's something but even so it would be a lot of work – so is it worth doing?

I wouldn’t worry about that, it doesn’t mean Eng Lit is harder. It’s the same with RS - 90 something percent for an A star, but it was still the one A star my dd got (As in History and Psychology which have much lower grade boundaries).

Dropping psychology - the wrong choice for him as he’s doesn’t think scientifically. He’s also doing politics and history

Ask the college. Dont think they will allow it [it may not get funded]

What texts are taught? Could he do a bit of background reading/ research into them so he’s fully prepared for what is in store?

dd is y11 but has chosen lit for next year though her school use OCR which seems less common?!

Nope, Edexcel grade boundaries are far lower than OCR for A Level English Literature actually.