Biology or Chemistry A level: Any advice, tips, help to decide?

[Toomanyminifigs]

My DS is just about to start 6th Form. He has ASD (with an EHCP) and finds making decisions difficult and probably needs a bit more support than a NT 16-year-old.

I posted about an issue with another of his A level choices and got such incredibly helpful and experienced replies I thought I'd bother people again!

DS is struggling to choose between taking Biology or Chemistry at A level. He did triple at GCSE and got high 8s in both. He tells me he loves them both equally. I've talked to his teachers and they said they'd like him to take both. This isn't an option (for now) as he's dead set on his other 2.

I've heard that it's very difficult to get top grades in Biology at A level as the mark scheme is so prescriptive. However, I'm worried about the maths in Chemistry as maths really isn't his thing.

Does anyone have any insights that could help us? I guess if he does make the 'wrong' decision for him, he could always re-start and do an extra year.

His other A levels are History and Geography and he's thinking maybe archeology at uni.

I am worried about History. I think this is where his autism does impact him. He knows all the dates and facts but getting a high grade in History is about more than that. He does have the option to drop it at the end of yr12 and do an extra year with another subject, which would probably be the other science.

Maybe he will bring a new perspective. Best for him to at least try if it’s his passion.

History is about interpretation and arguing for your interpretation. It will sharpen his ability to debate and he will be well backed up with his facts and figures.

If he has shaky maths then I would go for Biology over Chemistry.

Does his school/college do Alevel core maths? It is worth half an Alevel but is designed as a supportive maths course to help the sciences and geography.

Thank you for your kind words. He is so excited to be starting his History A level and has done loads of bridging work. I think I'd be more concerned if he had got a 6 at gcse and then was going in at A level. He's got 2-ish years to try and learn the skills required.

I need to remember how far he's come. He wrote nothing in many of his end of year exams in yr7.

Just to agree with others- I'd be happier with bio if he's got shaky maths. Much of the maths in A level bio is functional stuff having extracted the right numbers to use (percentage change etc) and there's some stats. It's definitely beneficial to be good at maths but I know my biologists who struggle with maths who also do chem really have to think about their chem maths but they can pick mine up after a bit of practice.

Might be worth checking exam board- AQQ bio has an essay paper. Although doing history he may well have great transferable skills for that!

I’d say Biology is going to be a better fit with his other two alevels (A-level Geog teacher here) for all the reasons stated above by other posters.

DS is going into Y13, second yr of A level Bio, Chem and History. There’s a lot of Maths in Chem - his college require A level scientists not doing A level maths to do Level 3 Core Maths, but DS says there’s a lot more in chemistry than biology.

His school does OCR for sciences. I will check the past papers to see if there's a 25-marker. I did look a while ago but can't remember.
He's a hard worker so I have no concerns re putting in the effort so it's really weighing up which subject would a) suit him more and b) be more beneficial to his future plans.

When I spoke to his chemistry teacher she actually didn't think his shaky maths would be that much of a hindrance. She says he just 'gets' chemistry. He balances equations at home for fun as he says it relaxes him (!).

Thank you. That's a great combination of subjects! Can I ask if your DS has an idea of what his next steps might be with that combination?

Yes. My DS has been told he has to do core maths as he's taking a science and geography. They take it at the end of yr12 so at least it's out of the way before A levels.

Hi Op. There are a few responses about struggling with long Biology answers. Given you said his 2 firm 2 choices are History and Geography it is to be hoped he is good and confident with long answers which supports Biology

Chemistry is considered a physical science ( i.e. useful for engineering degree alongside physics and maths etc) DS is not taking this route so Biology seem a better fit

Thank you. I am amazed by how many kind people are prepared to share their expertise with me. I am so grateful.
I don't have any scientists in RL I can draw on and school is obviously closed at the minute.
I was partly thinking to let fate decide on gcse results day but then he got 8s in both subjects!

Thank you. I do feel biology fits more naturally with geography. Especially as he is really strong in physical geography. I am trying to convince him to consider geography at university. The world needs more geographers!

With History and Geography I would say Biology makes more sense, especially as he is concerned about maths. There will be a fair bit of maths in A level chemistry.
I wouldn’t worry about biology being difficult- there is no difference in difficulty between biology and chemistry, it’s just about what you enjoy more. With 8s at gcse he should be absolutely fine to do either

In what way is his maths ‘shaky’?
At A level, there will be quite a lot of calculations in chemistry but they use a fairly limited range of mathematical concepts which afaik don’t go beyond GCSE material.

If he is doing core maths then I think he will be fine with both subjects. I’m glad his school is offering / insisting on it - it is a good qualification and very useful.

Get him to look at the spec online and write out what he likes about each one, if on subject is much easier to write there is your answer. If there is no clear winner then pick one, let it sit for a few days and then reassess - does it feel like a good decision.

There is no RIGHT answer here, both courses offer advantages and disadvantages so pick which one he is more enthusiastic about.

Our experience was that most people in the biology class were also taking chemistry (with a view to medicine etc) and the chemistry knowledge they gained supported their studies. DD did it as a standalone along with similar subjects to your son and felt herself at a considerable disadvantage. I don't know if the same would be true in reverse.

Thank you. It's interesting you say that about maths in Chemistry. It's also what his Chemistry teacher told me ie if you 'get' the maths in Chemistry GCSE, you should be OK at A level. I was surprised by that. I keep hearing how 'hard' the level of maths is.
My DS has very specific learning challenges in Maths which may (or may not!) be related to his autism. For example, he still can't grasp the 24 hour clock, he doesn't know his timetables, struggles with working out change. Yet he can do moles and balancing equations no problem.
His science teachers say they've not come across a student before with his particular profile.

Thank you. This is good advice. As I mentioned, he's got the text books for both subjects that he's been looking at. He's done all the chemistry and biology bridging work for A level to keep his options open.
If he is struggling with one he can swap to the other and do an extra year so whatever he chooses, it's not the end of the road. I'm sure his teachers will advise if he's struggling.
It's a shame his school doesn't offer the Applied Science Btec as I understand that continues with all 3 sciences.

I am a bit concerned with him 'only' doing 1 science. I feel that it's quite unusual? I imagine Chemistry and Biology especially are quite interconnected so I can see clear advantages of doing both.
If you're willing to share - can I ask has your DD completed her Biology A level? Did she do OK/in line with expectations?

Not sure that’s true

Fwiw I’m a retired chemist (so is DH) - neither of us did biology A level and I don’t think it mattered. Interconnectedness between fields often isn’t reciprocal imo.

That's interesting. Thank you. I'm assuming you took Maths to a high level?

Covid saved her skin as she ended up with a relatively generous teacher assessed grade. But it was a lot of stress.

I did, and physics - but not everyone does.