Is there any value to a 4th A2 level for Oxbridge / RG ?

[SecretPlansAndCleverTricks]

DD is taking 3 academic AS that will enable her to apply for her chosen subject, plus Theatre Studies that has nothing to do with her chosen Degree course, but that she really enjoys.

She is bright and hardworking enough to study four, and the school allow it. Would there be any benefit to her taking 4? or would she be better off dropping the Theatre and just continuing to enjoy Drama as an extra curricular?

I've just thought of another potential benefit to an extra A level or two. There are just a very few worthwhile scholarships available if you can offer a lot of A levels at high grades. For example, Southampton offer to pay all your tuition fees if you enter one of their maths degree courses with five As at A level in distinct subjects (I think they may even count one of Gen studies or Crit Thinking but not both, but not sure on this so check first if it might be relevant). I do know they count maths and further maths as distinct subjects.

That's a very good offer worth £36k for a 4 year course. Ds was very tempted, but had it as his insurance in the end. I just hope he doesn't end up regretting it.

Nothing that I did that was untoward, genug. I suppose censorship is a brilliant way to cover up a blunder. I just surfaced to prove I did not morph into someone else as yellow obviously thought you were me in a changed identity. Yes, apologies are overdue to both of us.

It's a very significant incentive to apply to Southampton for one of those courses gelatinous but it's nevertheless very niche. And I do think four A2's in essay subjects (let alone five) is still quite a different kettle of fish from two sciences (or three) plus the two maths. Quantitively speaking.

Typo again, sorry, but you know what I mean.

Agree it's niche yellow, but if it happens to be your niche then it's worth knowing. And 5 As is probably achievable by more than just the very most extremely bright. There's a world of difference between 5As and 5As in my opinion, and in many cases by the end of yr12 it's clear if As are easily achievable or not which isn't so true of As.

And I also agree with you that 5 essay based A levels is a totally different kettle of fish.

Yes indeed, definitely worth knowing gelatinous. If I had a bright mathsy one I'd be super keen on £36K less debt too.

Betelguese are maths graduates the most employable do you know?

My DS did 4 AS levels, but dropped to 3 at A level. He was advised to spend time also reading extensively around the subject. This paid off at interview and he has a place at Cambridge.

It seems quite normal (in this area) to do 4AS and then 3A2s.
If this is now seemed as too little, how can children from state schools compete?

Thanks Betelguese, incredibly interesting tables. I've never seen similar before. Where are they published?