Choosing A levels when you appear to be a genuine all-rounder

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My daughter just achieved 9 9s and 1 8 (Eng Lit). She aspires to join a big 4 accountancy firm/ bank - perhaps as a degree apprentice.

She's opted for Maths, Economics & Geography A levels. But is wondering about swapping out Geography for Physics or Chemistry because feels intuitively more comfortable with short answer assessments and already feels Economics will be quite essay heavy.

Her teachers' advice is that on average an all rounder student could expect to achieve a whole grade higher in A level Geography than in chemistry or physics because the jump from GCSE is much greater. She definitely doesn't want to pursue a science-based or engineering degree so is there any point in taking one science on its own - especially if it's - on average - harder to secure a very top grade in these subjects.

She could also consider further maths but definitely doesn't want to study 4 a levels so it would be a third which I think is too limiting. Would really welcome any opinions.

I know it’s not always that simple but she should choose the one she enjoys most.
It won’t make much difference if she does geography, physics or chemistry if she doesn’t want to do a science or engineering degree.
I don’t really agree that some A levels are more difficult than others, it’s really dependent on the individual. I did physics and chemistry and I would have found doing English more difficult because I don’t enjoy writing essays.
A pupil getting 8/9s at gcse is perfectly capable of taking that subject for A level and doing well, so I think she should not overthink and just pick her favourite.
Further maths as a 4th option should be considered though actually, even if she starts it to see what the workload is like and drops it if it gets too much.

She should not do A level physics without A level maths. Sorry just seen she is doing maths ignore me.

Any school nearby where IB is an option?

My kids both did Economics A level and it is not essay heavy. There are short answer questions and fewer long answer questions, no long essays. Nothing like English or History for example.

The combination of Maths, Economics & Geography A levels seems a decent one to me.

I think she should pick what she enjoys. She should also think about more options after a levels. Does she know the realities of working for one of the big 4 as a woman?

If any school in my area had offered IB I would have chosen that for all-rounder DD, but sadly none did.

DS1 was an all rounder. He chose Maths, Business and Geography, got five offers from RG Uni’s and did a Geography degree, then secured a competitive (non Geography related) grad scheme.
DS2 did STEM subjects, his 85% in his A level Chemistry exams was still ‘only’ an A. Much harder to get the very top marks I believe as often taken by potential medics.
Play the game. Do what she is most likely to do the best in as long as all else is equal.

I’d stick with geography. The coveted big 4 degree apprenticeships are very competitive - also advise her to apply to the next tier (can lead to a similarly lucrative and successful career).

Having been there and studied all 3 in year 12 I'd pick a science again. A level geography is a slog, really content heavy. If you can do the maths a lot of your physics and chemistry is sorted. I did however get an A in AS level Geography and didn't in the other subjects, so that bit is true.

If she might want to do anything Mathsy at university and her school offer FM, then she should take that.

DS got 12 A⭐️ at gcse and at A level he did Physics, maths, FM and Welsh Bacc, getting all A⭐️. He didn’t struggle at all with the FM, but many students take it as a 4th A level as it is a huge leap up from GCSE.

Maths, Economics and Geography is a good combination with some overlap between Geography and Economics. My eldest did Economics and Geography and enjoyed it. I always advise my students to study the subjects they enjoy unless there is a very specific career route they need to follow.

My Ds is similar grade wise and is doing maths chemistry physics and further maths.

He considered economic and whilst it's not heavily essay based there are some 20 mark questions which involve quite a bit of writing etc.

He's rather have a page of equations/problems to solve

Maths economics and geography go well together and neither of those are heavy essay subjects. My DS did those and ended up at Cambridge studying Land Economy so who knows where it could take your daughter. Well done her!

Some points to consider:

Apprenticeships are really about choosing a career pathway that is supported by paid training that runs alongside, so early research into what, say, working at a Big4 actually means is helpful. Accountancy apprenticeships can be degree level but not actually mean 'going to university' in any way or the gaining of a degree. The various functions offer quite different experiences and professional exams can, particularly at the advanced levels, involve extended writing under pressure (albeit typed).

Be aware that Geography includes an NEA component that involves independent research and extended writing (though not under exam conditions). It might be sensible to download some papers for the subjects being compared, to allay potentially unfounded concerns or misconceptions.

I would argue that highest grades at A level in social sciences and humanities are potentially harder to achieve with certainty because assessed outputs are less black and white; making links and connections, articulating reasoning etc all matter. With Maths and the physical sciences, you really need to understand often quite complex concepts and use logic and knowledge, under time pressure, to solve problems.

I would not discount Further Maths. My children did not achieve your daughter's stellar GCSE results but chose Maths, FM, a physical science and a social science at A level and really enjoyed their FM; it is an opportunity to experience maths at the highest level possible prior to higher education.

Taking four A levels, including FM, can be hard work but can help hone time management skills (good if professional apprenticeships being seriously considered) but can risk grade dilution (a fact to weigh if competitive entry uni being considered).

With 9s across the board she should feel empowered just pick what she wants.

One way to help her is to look at possible degrees and see what they set out.

DS has a similar grade profile and has opted for maths/FM/physics/chemistry. But that’s because he genuinely loves those subjects and wants to spend his time studying them and plans a STEM degree.

As PP have said, her A level combination is a good one -but do bear in mind the geography NEA element and consider whether that is something she’ll enjoy or find stressful.

I do think that the argument that “humanities are easier to achieve the highest grades” is a flawed one tbh, this is not necessarily the case. Your DD’s GCSE grade profile literally demonstrates it - her 8 was in a humanities subject! DS and many of his friends (all nigh achievers) had exactly the same: all 9s except in either English language or literature. Why? Because those are more nuanced, more subjective, more open to interpretation.

i honestly would just encourage her to go with what she thinks she’ll enjoy the most as enjoying/loving the subject is at least some of the battle!

She’s obviously got a clear career path in mind which is great but it is also worth really researching it and considering good alternatives to big 4 / bank degree apprenticeships. These are brutally competitive and ruthlessly challenging, it’s not just about achieving a place but about managing to keep uo and stay on it. We have friends with DC doing one and the pressures and demands are insane.

As several PPs have said, I agree that she is more likely to do well in subjects that she really enjoys. Also what are the teachers like? My DCs’ school had an absolutely outstanding chemistry teacher and a large number of of the kids who did A-Level chemistry went on to do Chemistry or related degrees. DC1 is mid 20s now and still meets up regularly with that teacher. They have been very influential. And what are the class sizes like? DC1 was in an A-Level Chemistry class of 4. Subjects like sociology and geography had around 20 in them. DC1 for 4 x Astar - there were several keys to their success but the main external factors were good teaching and tiny classes.

On no scientific basis whatsoever, everyone in my sons friend group seemed to find chemistry really hard.

You can make Geography into anything you want further down the line - everything is Geography. My old Geography lecturer used to say ‘History is Geography with compound interest’. It goes very well with Economics. A level chemistry is hard and is a big jump up. I’d go with what she loves most but with Geog, there is an element of creativity and common sense. With the coursework element it offers an element of hypothesis and argument which will be useful when studying at degree level.

Her current combination is spot on for Big 4 or banking. Top firms and universities care far more about top grades than whether her third subject is a hard science, so sticking with Geography makes complete sense if it secures that A*. Physics or Chemistry would just add massive unnecessary workload if she has no interest in STEM.

Is she leaning more toward a degree apprenticeship straight after Sixth Form, or keeping the standard uni route open as well?

Ds is doing these four too. Does your Ds have an idea of what he’d like to do as a career?

There's a lot to be said for doing subjects you enjoy, as that will hopefully be reflected in future careers. For maths it's worth googling 'maths can take you anywhere' to get a good picture of what it's directly useful for - although obviously also a great life skill!

@Dave212 Cambridge recommend maths for their humanities courses so not just stem ones. They also recommend FM for Economics and that’s probably recommended at other top universities too.

I’d suggest doing 4. My worst performing child did 4 (2 x A and 2 x B). Her brother and sister could easily have handled another A level. One of them started with 4 and did an EPQ. She dropped the 4th though, but totally could have managed it. She’s very academic and also had similar GCSE results.

Only do 4 with FM. No one asks for 4! But some unis ask for FM!